Stag Weekend or Hen Weekend in Newcastle

For a Stag or Hen weekend, Newcastle is a great destination! Click our events button for a complete list of events or click the photographs for Hen or Stag events.

Newcastle, one of England's eight Core Cities, was founded by Roman Emporer Hadrian under the name Pons Aelius. Sections of Hadrian's Wall are still visible within the city. After the Roman withdrawal from the UK, the city became known as Monkchester in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. It wasn't until 1080, when Robert Curthose built a wooden castle taking advantage of the strategic location, that Newcastle became known by its current name. The city was later walled for defense during the Border Wars with Scotland. While Newcastle variously gained renown as a fortress, a centre of the book publishing industry and home to a thriving shipbuilding and heavy industry economy, the city is most famous historically as a coal exporter.

As with many of England's manufacturing giants of the Industrial Revolution, Newcastle saw a steep decline it its traditional economic mainstays during the 20th century. However, modern Newcastle is courting the research and development sector in a drive to become a modern Science City. The development of Newcastle's Center for Life biotechnology village is a first step in moving towards a strong economic future. Traditional holiday travelers may make the mistake of overlooking Newcastle, but the city has gotten a reputation as being a top place for stag and hen parties, is home to a number of popular pub and club districts, and was named "the top attraction for tourists in Great Britain" by The Rough Guide to Britain.

Sport enthusiasts may enjoy Newcastle's annual race week at High Gosforth Park, while non-sporting types can take in The Hoppings funfair on Newcastle Town Moor the same week in July. Spring Break week brings the Freevolution free music festival.

Newcastle's many theatres host local and touring productions throughout the year, and catching an event at the famous Newcastle Racecourse also appeals to the traditional crowd. Local architecture is also exceptional, if you know where to look. Grey Street was voted England's finest street in a BBC Radio 4 survey.

Newcastle welcomes travelers and holidaymakers any time of year, and accommodations are generally easy to find. Newcastle is also one of England's driest cities, making it a perfect choice for escaping winter rains for a short break or weekend holiday. Finding a bed and breakfast near St. James' Park or the Town Moor allows for enjoyable nature walks when you're not busy enjoying Newcastle's vibrant city culture. You may even catch a sight of freemen's cattle grazing on Town Moor!