Rachel's Guide to Newcastle and Beyond!
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NE1 – Summer in the City
August 6, 2021 
Summer has landed and Newcastle is the place to be! Our local business improvement district company NE1 have really pulled out all the stops, to make the city centre more inviting than ever.
A few days ago I took a little trip in to Toon to check out what’s going on. I couldn’t help but be impressed by the creative installations, free events and fun activities that are brightening up the city’s streets. It felt like I was on holiday! The sunshine obviously helped, unfortunately that’s not something that’s guaranteed this summer. However, a fun day out is definitely something you can count on.
What Can You Expect?
NE1’s ‘Summer in the City’ is a programme of exciting things to see and do, and the majority of it won’t cost you a penny. There’s things to enjoy every day until the 5th September, so get out there and make the most of what’s on offer. Activities include family fun weekenders on Blackett Street which is being pedestrianised for the events! Also keep an eye out for free weekend pop-up performances around Grey’s Monument. Speaking of the Monument, NE1 have also arranged special openings of the hidden steps inside the column. You can climb to the top for the small price of just a fiver on Fridays and Saturdays.
Find Out More!
You can get full details about everything’s that going on at www.ne1summerinthecity.co.uk
It’s also worth checking out the hashtag #ne1summerinthecity to see what people have been sharing about their experiences.
Below is a little list of the things I’ve enjoyed so far…
This 3D Floor Art by Joe Hill can be found near ‘The Blacksmith’s Needle’ sculpture just past Pitcher and Piano. My mum got this shot for me, we had great fun pretending to jump over the gap. What creative poses will you pull?
The Urban Garden in Wesley Square on Newcastle Quayside is the perfect place to hang out on a sunny day. There’s loads of deck chairs, bean bags and loungers, as well as garden games like giant Jenga. Here’s a couple more pics from The Urban Garden which features a Brewdog Bar, Pop coffee shop serving Tynemouth coffee and a mouth-watering menu from East Coast burgers…
I love the decor at the Urban Garden, I wish I could get my hanging baskets to look so lush!
Coffee Lovers are well catered for at this Pop Coffee hut in the Urban Garden.
I absolutely love this installation of kaleidoscopic prism seating on Newcastle Quayside. It’s been built by local company Raskl and they really have created something beautiful. The reflections are mesmerising. There’s also lots of brightly painted concrete planters in this area too. They really brighten the place up!
Another eye-catching art installation is this floor vinyl by Mr Penfold. You’ll find it between Slug & Lettuce and Hooch Coffee. It’s like a colourful catwalk making Newcastle Quayside even more insta-worthy than usual!
I could not resist having a go on one of the eight see-saws that have been placed along the river to create a ‘wave-field’. so called because they of the soundscape they create (by Mitchell Akiyama) when they move. I believe they light up too!
Last but not least, let’s not forget the awesome Screen on the Green outside Eldon Square. This is where you can pull up a deckchair and enjoy two free films every day till 5th September. We’re talking classic rom coms like Sleepless in Seattle and Maid in Manhattan, plus family favourites like Mrs Doubtfire and E.T.
I’ve loved getting back out and about for blogging adventures, expect some more coming your way very soon!