Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice: How to Spend Autumn in Newcastle

Pumpkin spice up your life

Pumpkin spice – you either love it, or you hate it. Either way, this autumnal goodness arrives back in town earlier and earlier, and this year’s no exception. Alongside the usual Starbucks and Greggs, you can also head to the likes of Pure Knead and Coffee Trader to get your fix too.

Want something a little different? Black Sheep Coffee are introducing seasonal newcomers including pumpkin spice matcha and apple crumble matcha – both of which can be served hot or cold!

But if it’s that spiced autumnal scent you’re after, then head to Lush inside Eldon Square to sniff out their range of seasonal goodies. From pumpkin bath bombs and bubble bars to body sprays, candles and face masks, they're fully embracing pumpkin spice season

Leazes Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, in early October / Photo by Peter Scott via Wikimedia Commons / Free to use under CC BY-SA 4.0

Take a walk through the city’s parks

Whether the kids need to let off some steam, or you’re just after a crisp walk in the autumn air, there’s plenty of parks in Newcastle to enjoy this season. And luckily for us, many of them are just a stones throw from the city centre.

Take Exhibition Park for example, which is only about a fifteen-minute walk from Haymarket Metro. There’s plenty to see and do here, from coffees at Exhibition Park Café to pints at Wylam Brewery – the perfect reward after a brisk walk – and there’s even a play area for the kids to run wild.

Alternatively, wrap up and head down to Leazes Park to crunch on some leaves – or bring a book down there to enjoy the view by the lake. Give yourself a good twenty-five minutes to get here on foot from Haymarket Metro, but trust us, on a sunny autumnal day, it’s definitely worth it.

But really, nowhere does good food and good views quite like the Quayside. Take a stroll along the Tyne, enjoying the brisk air and impressive views of both the Tyne and Millennium bridges. Feeling peckish? Treat yourself to a slice from I Scream For Pizza, or enjoy a drink at The Hooch into the evening!

Get Halloween ready

Whether you’re hitting the Toon this Halloween or keeping it more low-key at home, getting ready for the spookiest season of the year is serious business. Thankfully, Newcastle has no shortage of shops to find plenty of treats… and maybe a few tricks thrown in for good measure!

If it’s Halloween décor you’re after, it’s hard to go wrong with a trip to TK Maxx with a smorgasbord of seasonal supplies – everything from candles to cushions – perfect for adding a fantastical touch to your home. Primark is a great shout too with spooky season inspired fashion and decor for the grown-ups plus some super-cute Halloween costumes for kids.

You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Night Market at Newcastle Castle this October. Hosted by Northern Gothic, you’ll be able to enter an eerie-sistible world of luxury food vendors, tarot card readers and antique sellers at Newcastle Castle Keep. 

Dig into new autumn menus

Feeling peckish after all that shopping? Not to worry, there’s plenty of fresh seasonal menus to try out in Newcastle, whatever you’re fancying.

Indian street food restaurant Mowgli recently announced a new autumn menu featuring hearty new dishes like lamb bunny chow, Diwali cauliflower and black dahl that are bound to keep your cockles warm on colder nights.

Sunday roasts are good in summer don’t get us wrong – but there’s something about that hearty meal when the winter’s on its way that just feels so much better. Luckily for us, Dobson & Parnell have a brand new Sunday menu out – alongside an autumn set menu and a la carte menu – that looks absolutely delicious. That North Shields market fish, buttery roast potatoes, greens and caper butter sauce has our stomachs rumbling!

Seasonal ingredients are at the heart of everything Newcastle favourite 21 does and it fixed prices menu - which changes with the seasons - showcases the best of the best this autumn. From a warming roasted pumpkin soup, to mouth-watering mains like calves liver with crispy bacon, onions and creamed potatoes and desserts of warm apple fritters served with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, there’s no shortage of delicious delicacies here.

Escape the chill

Let’s be honest, Newcastle gets on the chiller side in the evenings this time of year. So if you’re looking to escape inside after your meal, why not book one of these events to wrap up your perfect autumnal day?

With comedy from the likes of Jen Brister (22nd October) and Stewart Lee (3rd-4th November), plus shows like Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Hamlet (6th November), Tyne Theatre & Opera House is a great shout for a few cosy laughs this autumn. Their recently opened 1867 Cafe Bar plays host to some fantastic community events too - including arts and craft sessions and a regular Knit & Natter event on Wednesdays. You could even knit your own cosy scarf for the season!

The soundtrack to Newcastle this autumn is shaping up to be pretty impressive too. You can hear from the likes of hometown talent Andrew Cushin (25th October) at O2 City Hall, Rizzle Kicks (27th November) at NX and let's not forget that Utilita Arena is set to host The 2025 Mercury Prize awards show (16th October) for the first time too with confirmed performers including FKA twigs, Pulp and the North East's own Sam Fender!

Last but not least, what better way to embrace the bookish spirit of autumn than with a signing or talk at Waterstones? Their events calendar is a veritable feast for readers, with authors like Indian chef Maunika Gowardhan (22nd October), crime novelist Oyinkan Braithwaite (23rd October) and children's writer Hannah Gold (8th November) arriving in the city.

Regardless of whether you love the season - or you're counting down the days until the warm summer weather returns - Newcastle certainly has no shortage of things to do this autumn. Maybe just take an umbrella with you though, yeah?

Main image: Brown Leaves / Photo by Lina Kivaka via Pexels / Free to use under the Pexels Licence

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