The Best Things to Do in Ouseburn: Newcastle’s Creative Core

Last Updated on 31st January 2026 by Sophie Nadeau

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Wander into Ouseburn, Newcastle’s artsy quarter, dotted with artist studios, galleries, cosy cafés, and some of the city’s best street art. It’s here that historic streets meet a thriving arts scene and cultural innovation, often earning Ouseburn the title of Newcastle’s “coolest neighbourhood”. In this guide, we’ll show you the very best of what to see, where to eat, and how to make the most out of a trip to Ouseburn!

History of Ouseburn

Once known as the “cradle of the industrial revolution,” Ouseburn was at one time an industrial area of the city, filled with warehouses and factories. However, by the 20th century, much of the Ouseburn Valley fell into significant disrepair – factories were abandoned, and houses were deemed slums. Indeed, the area was largely left derelict as traditional industries declined. 

It wasn’t until the early 2000s, when a £67 million regeneration project was launched, that Ouseburn began its transformation into the vibrant cultural and creative hub it is today.

The area is now Newcastle’s creative core, and regularly described as the city’s “coolest neighbourhood”.Walking around the area, it’s clear that Ouseburn has undergone significant change and gentrification. While this has brought vibrant arts spaces, cafés, and cultural attractions, it’s worth noting that some of the area’s original character and affordability have been lost.

Nevertheless, Ouseburn is a wonderful neighbourhood and an absolute must-visit when exploring Newcastle. Wandering around, you’ll find lots of pop-up breweries, cosy cafés, artists’ studios and galleries, and it’s the best place in the city to see street art. So, if you appreciate art and relaxed vibes, Ouseburn is certainly the place for you.

Things to do in Ouseburn

Enjoy street art

Of course, one of the best things to do while visiting Newcastle’s vibrant arty district is to spy out street art. No two visits to Ouseburn tend to be the same as the murals and street art that adorn the walls are always changing.

There’s quite literally no wall left blank in the area, and so, exploring Ouseburn feels like stepping into a living, ever-changing open-air gallery!

Visit artists

During my time in Newcastle, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jim Edwards, an artist who has been painting for over 30 years. Since leaving college, his practice has continually evolved, yet it remains unmistakably his own, a distinct interpretation of the cityscape he calls home.

His paintings rarely feature people, allowing the urban landscape itself to take centre stage. Newcastle, with landmarks like the Tyne Bridge and Quayside, form the heart of his subject matter.

Jim very much paints what he sees in front of him, without relying on the use of photographs; his work is never a straightforward replication. Instead, Jim’s pieces are an interpretation of place, informed by memory, sketches, and his deep connection to Newcastle as his home.

His preference leans more towards nighttime cityscapes, as he said it allows for him to work with colour more freely. His preferred mediums are mainly acrylic paint and biro pen, and he showed me sketchbooks filled with endless ideas, drawings made both from life and from memory – it was truly wonderful to see!

If you are interested in learning more about Jim’s artwork, head to his official artist’s website, which I will link to here. Or, if you get the opportunity, it’s worth stopping by the gallery to see his artwork (and potentially meet him!) in person.

Walk alongside the Ouseburn River

One of the best ways to experience the Ouseburn Valley is by taking a stroll along the Ouseburn River. The riverside path winds past historic industrial buildings and the new creative spaces, so you can get a real feel of just how much the area has changed.

The Ouseburn River is a fairly small river, going for just 11 miles, and it flows on to eventually connect with the city’s iconic Tyne River. A stroll along it is certainly the best way to get a sense of the area’s character and charm.

Have a pint at the Ship Inn

The Ship Inn is a cosy family-friendly pub found in the heart of Ouseburn. It’s one of the oldest pubs in the area, and it owes its name to the historic importance of river craft. Here, they serve drinks with a focus on independent, craft-focused real ales. I highly recommend trying a local one, as you may well be near the very place it was brewed!

The pub also offers a completely vegan menu, and its outdoor patio is the perfect spot to relax and soak up the summer sun.

Have brunch at Kiln

If you’re visiting Ouseburn earlier in the day, I recommend stopping at Kiln for a delicious brunch. Housed in a former brick industrial building, this spot is more than just a restaurant and coffee shop; it also doubles up as a pottery studio!

You can purchase wheel-thrown and handmade ceramics on site, making for the perfect souvenir to bring home from Newcastle’s arty district.

Seven Stories Museum

Officially known as the Seven Stories, this visitor centre and cultural landmark is the National Centre for Children’s Books in the UK. This museum/charity first opened to the public in 2005, and it is dedicated to children’s literature, acting as an archive and exhibition space to celebrate children’s books.

Housed in a converted Victorian warehouse, the building is iconic in itself and gives its name to the museum (there are seven floors). Found within many of those floors are interactive exhibitions that are open and free for the public to explore.

Seven Stories also hosts workshops, events, and plenty of educational and fun activities for visitors to enjoy. Most of the workshops and events are ticketed, but you can see what’s on here before you plan your visit.

The museum is completely free to visit, and it’s open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

Victoria Tunnel Tours

One of the more unique activities you can do in the area is the Victoria Tunnel Tours. This 19th-century underground waggonway runs beneath Newcastle, and it was originally built to transport coal from the town to the River Tyne.

Today, guided tours are offered, taking visitors deep into its tunnels and revealing fascinating stories of the city’s industrial past. The most notable history is that, during World War II, the tunnel was repurposed as an air-raid shelter, so going through it gives a fascinating insight into how the people of Newcastle had to shelter from the Blitz.

Visits are by guided tour only, with tickets for one adult generally starting at £13 for a 1.5-hour experience. Longer tours are also available for those who want to explore in more depth. If you want to do a tour, it’s highly recommended that you book in advance before your visit. You can do so via the official website here.

How to get to Ouseburn

Ouseburn is just a short distance from Newcastle’s city centre, making it super easy to visit during your trip to the northeast. By foot, it’s around a 15 to 20 minute walk if you head east towards the Quayside and cross the Ouseburn Valley.

If travelling by public transport, you can reach Ouseburn by taking the Tyne and Wear Metro from Tyne and Wear to either Manor Park or Byker stations; it’s still a 10-minute walk from there.

By bus, you can take the Quaylink Q3 – this service runs from the city centre through the Quayside and into Ouseburn, dropping close to the heart of the area. There are also a number of local bus routes which stop nearby on New Bridge Street.

If you don’t have a great deal of time to explore Newcastle, then I recommend focusing more on the city centre and you can find more ideas on what to see and do in our 1 day in Newcastle guide.

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