Things to do in and around Newcastle: £5 and under!

Student Content Creator, Jay runs us through some of the fun activities to do and interesting places to go in and around Newcastle - all costing £5 and under!

Join a Society 

While some societies have to charge more due to their running costs and certain events may require purchasing a ticket, there are still plenty of free socials hosted by a huge range of societies that you can participate in for only £5. With over 160 societies at Newcastle University, there really is something for everyone, whether you’re interested in picking up a hobby, getting involved in activism, or finding people on your degree programme through academic societies. You can find information on all societies through the NUSU webpage. 

See a Movie 

If you’re aged between 15 and 24, you’re eligible for a Young Tyneside Membership at Tyneside Cinema! All you have to do is sign up online and collect your membership card at the box office with a valid ID. With a Young Tyneside Membership, regular screenings are only £4.95 and you’ll receive a 10% discount in the Tyneside Bar Café. Tyneside Cinema shows a huge array of movies, ranging from recent Oscar contenders and reruns of beloved classics to independent and foreign-language films you can mention in conversation to sound like a true film-buff. 

Give it a Go Activities 

If you want to try something new, Give it a Go is the perfect place to look for affordable, accessible and enjoyable activities!  

• Keep Fit: GiAG hosts many sports related activities at a low cost and in a zero-pressure environment, making it perfect for those of all abilities. 
• Make Music: learning a new skill has never been easier as GiAG offers free guitar lessons over the course of six weeks. 
• Get Crafty: you can join in with GiAG’s social craft sessions for as little as £1, making it a perfect place to make something new and meet new people. 

GiAG is constantly updating its event list, so make sure you keep an eye out to see what’s on offer! 

Travel under £5 

Did you know that until the Saturday 1 April, a large number of bus routes are capped at £2 for a single ticket? Not only does this reduce the costs that come with travelling, this scheme provides a great opportunity for students to explore areas of the North East that are harder to reach by train and other modes of transport.  

Bus routes from Newcastle can take you to the coast, enjoying the sea (and soon, hopefully, the sun!) at Whitley Bay or Tynemouth. If you want to explore another area of the North East, you can also take the bus directly to Alnwick, exploring the historic castle, stunning gardens and the stunning Barter Books, a second-hand bookshop in a refurbished train station! The neighbouring cities of Sunderland and Durham are also reachable on busses directly from Haymarket Bus Station, making a day out easier than ever. 

For more information on the scheme, the government website outlines which services this cap is available on.  

Written by Jay, third-year English Language student and Student Content Creator.