Location, Location, Location
All the local info you need to make the most of your stay when attending the Retain conference
The Event Venue is the Hilton Newcastle-Gateshead (Bottle Bank, Gateshead, NE8 2AR)
This is a lovely hotel overlooking the River Tyne on the Gateshead Quayside and we recommend staying at the venue if possible – you can’t get an easier morning commute!
The Quayside area was redeveloped over recent years and is one of the city’s top attractions. Along the Newcastle bank you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and night clubs, as well as a market on Sundays. You’ll also find regular boat trips along the River Tyne!
The Gateshead bank (where our venue is located and a short walk over the bridge from the Newcastle side) is home to the cultural quarter, including Baltic Contemporary Art Gallery which has a restaurant with amazing views and a delicious afternoon tea!
Newcastle City Centre (home to more hotels, bars and restaurants plus all the shopping you could need) and the train station are a short walk from the Newcastle Quayside.
OTHER HOTELS
If you’d rather not stay at the venue then there is a wide range of alternative accomodation nearby, catering to all budgets and tastes. Below are some of the closest to the venue but this is by no means an exhaustive list!
Vermont Aparthotel – 5 minute walk
Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
Copthorne Hotel – 8 minute walk
Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Quayside – 9 minute walk
S Shore Rd, Gateshead NE8 3AE
Malmaison Quayside – 9 minute walk
Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
Roomzzz Newcastle City – 10 minute walk
Clavering Pl, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3NG
Premier Inn Newcastle-Quayside – 6 minute walk
Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
easyHotel – 6 minute walk
Proctor House, 23-29 Side, NE1 3JL
Travelodge Newcastle Quayside – 7 minute walk
Close, Newcastle upon Tyne
Ramada Encore Newcastle-Gateshead – 9 minute walk
Hawks Road, Gateshead
FOOD & DRINK
We’ll be providing you with lunch and snacks throughout the event, and there will be food at our evening social on the 23rd as well, but for other meals we encourage you to explore the local options with your new membership friends!
You certainly won’t go short on choice, with nearby restaurants offering everything from Mexican to Thai to a delicious steak. There’s even a cat cafe on the Quayside if you’re missing your furry friends back home. Or if you’re staying at the Hilton there is a lovely restaurant on site too.
There’s also a range of drinking options, from traditional pubs (we suggest you try the Newcastle Brown Ale) to more upscale bars where you can while away the evening.
Below are just a few of our favourite local options:
Hard Rock Cafe Newcastle – 4 min walk
Located in the Guidhall town court, get your burgers and cocktails with a helping of rock music!
By the River Brew – 1 minute walk
A unique container community on the Quayside including a brewery and seasonal open fire kitchen.
Raval Luxury Indian Restaurant – 3 minute walk
Award winning Indian food just minutes from the hotel!
The Bridge Tavern – 6 minute walk
Featuring an on-site brewery and an iconic location, this is a must-visit for real-ale and gastropub fans!
Lui’s Bar and Kitchen – 7 min walk
Pizzas, steaks and glorious cocktails…what more could you want?
Six at BALTIC – 8 minute walk
A rooftop restaurant with unrivaled views over the River Tyne and offering seasonal local produce.
Gusto – 9 minute walk
An Italian restaurant on the Quayside with a nice outside terrace.
Tomahawk Steakhouse – 10 minute walk
Serving Wagyu and Himalayan salt dry-aged steaks this is a must if you’re in the mood for steak!
THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA
If you’re making this an extended trip or bringing your family along with you then you’ll find there’s a lot to do in Newcastle, from Europe’s largest indoor shopping centre (mall) if you fancy shopping, to a living museum that will transport you back in time and our very own Angel of the North!
I highly recommend visiting the official website of the Newcastle Tourism board if you want details of everything Newcastle has on offer, but here’s a few of our favourite things:
Hancock Museum
Featuring a life-sized T-Rex skeleton, planetarium and exhibits ranging from natural history to world cultures and ancient civilisations this is a great day out for all ages!
BALTIC
An iconic building and art gallery on the Quayside. The restaturant has fantastic views over the city and a delicious afternoon tea for that true English experience.
Metrocentre
Europe’s largest indoor shopping centre and home to everything from high street favourites to designer labels and unique boutiques. Also home to an IMAX cinema and a wide range of restaurants.
Beamish Museum
A little further afield but offering a truly unique experience this open air museum has a reconstructed farm, town, railway and more, and tells the story of life in the North East in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s.
Newcastle Castle
One of the finest surviving medieval castle keeps in the UK, with a wonderful view from the Rooftop.
Grainger Market
Situated in the heart of the historic city centre (voted the UK’s finest street by the way!) this Victorian indoor market place is still going strong and worth a visit for that true English feel.
Life Science Centre
A great day out for the family the award-winning life centre houses exhibitions, live science shows, a 4D motion simulator ride and the North’s largest planetarium.
Beautiful Coastline, Hadrian’s Wall and more!
If you’re feeling adventurous and have a vehicle you’ll find a wealth of things to explore outside of Newcastle itseld, from Alnwick Castle (a must see for Harry Potter fans) to the beautiful Tyneside coastline and the ancient Roman Hadrian’s Wall.