Red January in Newcastle: Walk Your Way to Wellbeing
Explore the best of this city this Red January with our pick of the best walks and in Newcastle!
This Red January, take this as your opportunity to get out the office and capture the city like you’ve never seen it before!
And what exactly is Red January, we hear you cry? Well, it’s a fantastic initiative that encourages people to take part in physical activities that benefit their mental wellbeing – something we think we can all agree is much needed at this time of year!
This New Year, we’re one again teaming up with Red January, and local digital agency Bonded to encourage office workers to step away from their desks and explore the city on foot. The goal? To walk 10 inspiring city routes, discover hidden “Glimmer Shots” that spark joy, and capture them on camera.
These glimmers are uplifting moments – little sights or places you might have missed before – that are sure to make you smile and brighten your day. It’s all about finding light in the winter months and making movement part of your daily routine!
We're bringing back some of our favourite walks from 2025 and bringing you fresh walk to help you drive away those January blues, so whether you fancy a little stroll yourself or want to gather the team, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the city and raise a smile this January.
#1 Glimmer Shot: Tyne Bridge from Side
Start Point: Newcastle University Arches
Route: No walk through Newcastle is complete without a stop at the stunning Tyne Bridge. It’s an iconic backdrop for the perfect photo and we all have those images where we’re stood on the Quayside looking upriver, but have you captured the photo as you just turn the corner of Side? It’s super impressive!
If you’re based north of the city, this journey begins at the historic Newcastle University Arches, a stunning landmark that sets the tone for the walk ahead.
From the Newcastle University Arches, head across the road at King's Gate and past St Thomas Church as you make your way down Northumberland Street. While you're there, why not pop into Mason + Rye at Fenwick Food Hall for a coffee to fuel your adventure
Continuing past Monument, stroll down the iconic Grey Street and onto Dean Street. Before reaching the Dean Street Arches, why not take a quick detour to Deep North for a sweet treat (a little birdie told us you can get 15% off with your NE1 Exclusive card...).
Whether you’re craving their classic “Homer Simpson” doughnut or the famous brown butter sugar doughnut, their freshly baked flavours are not to be missed. Your trail ends just outside of Solstice. Take a moment to soak in the beauty of Newcastle’s architecture before heading off to your next adventure.
End Point: Side – View of the Tyne Bridge
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 minutes
#2 Glimmer Shot: Play Pavilion and Bridges
Starting Point: Gino's/The INNSiDE hotel
Route: Start the route at Gino’s Italian (pre-walk coffee and biscotti anyone?) and make your way towards the Millennium Bridge and just keep going, easy as that! What’s not easy is saying no to the cosy cafes and pubs along the way… so don’t!
Treat yourself to a cheeky Wetherspoon’s lunch, a little lunchtime drink at Quayside Garden or even stop into Pitcher & Piano (where NE1 Exclusive Card holders get 20% off drinks!). After this, keep heading up towards the bright and colourful Play Pavilion. Here you can take a moment to reflect, take in the scenery, or simply start making your way back to the office, it’s up to you! But first, don't forget the Glimmer Shot, which is a beautiful scene of Newcastle's Tyne River and all it's iconic bridges.
End Point: The Play Pavillion
Time Estimate: Approximately 15 minutes
#3 Glimmer Shot: Central Station
Starting Point: Life Science Centre
Route: Head off from Times Square at Life Science Centre making your way right, down Neville Street. Head straight, towards Central Station where you will see the beautiful historic Grade I listed architecture - even if you're a frequent train traveller, we say you should definitely head into the station and look up, giving you a whole new perspective on how beautiful the station is. Once you’re finished admiring the inside, and of course, the exterior stonework, turn left and start heading up Grainger Street.
While on your travels, make sure to grab a bite to eat, stopping at legendary Zapatista’s for a burrito, or head in to Super Natural for a plant-based snack.
Once refreshed, carry on up Grainger Street, towards the iconic Grey’s Monument. This is where the walk ends, but if you’re not ready to head back to your desk, there’s plenty of places to pop in and grab a drink. Whether you fancy a super-green smoothie from Priory Press, a caffeine hit from Black Sheep Coffee or something sweet from Knoops, stick around and enjoy the moment for a little longer.
End Point: Grey's Monument
Time Estimate: Approximately 15 minutes
#4 Glimmer Shot: All Saints Church Stairs
Starting Point: Colonel Porter’s on Dean Street
Route: To start, head down the hill towards the Bridge Tavern (lunchtime pint anyone?). Then, keep straight and head up over Akenside Hill and back down Dog Bank – get those legs moving!
Take a right at the bottom of the bank onto the Broad Chare, towards some of the best venues Pandon Block has to offer! Walk past the cosy and cool St. Vincent, cultural hot-spot, Live Theatre and the warm and comforting, Broad Chare. Be sure to nip in the courtyard too – although It may be winter, this is perfect in the summer, so if you haven’t seen it before, be sure to put it on your list. Keep going towards The Hooch, and why not stop in for a little coffee and cake while you’re there?
After a little pitstop, turn right walking down past the river, towards the Tyne Bridge, making another right once you get to King Street. Head up towards Khai Khai, bringing you to the beautiful Glimmer shot of All Saints Church, sitting at the top of King Street’s stairs. From here, make your way back to Side and reward yourself with a little souvenir from the brilliant UpSide Down Presents located right under the bridge arch at the bottom on Dean Street.
End Point: Colonel Porter’s
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 minutes
#5 Glimmer Shot: NE1 Chinese Garden
Starting Point: Chinese Arch
Route: This is the perfect walk to get you in the mood for the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on Sunday 22nd February - so mark your calendars! Start at the China Town Arches, head down Stowell Street to the Oriental Garden for a quick pic! Take in the peaceful vibes, then make your way down to the Tyne Theatre and Opera House and continue down Westgate Road towards The Mile Castle. Cross over at the lights towards Central Station and head left, making your way to St Nicholas' Cathedral.
Keep hydrated with a traditional Taiwanese Bubble Tea from Bubble Cha on your way over to the Oriental Gardens or, if you're feeling peckish during the walk, pop by Pink Lane Bakery for one of their famous breakfast treats.
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If you're saving yourself for the end of the walk and fancy a hot drink, make sure to stop by 5 Quarter to recoup or snack in the beautiful setting of the unique heritage site, The Common Room.
End Point: Newcastle Cathedral
Time Estimate: Approximately 15 minutes
#6 Glimmer Shot: Discovery Museum
Starting Point: Central Station
Route: It’s time for a mini culture tour of Newcastle! Start the walk at Central Station and head towards Life Science Centre – this is our first culture hit. The Life Science Centre is home to ground-breaking biomedical research facilities, events and exhibits.
Next, pass through Times Square and head across the road to Churchill Street towards Lane 7. Around here you can stop in for a quick game of pool, or head around the back of the building to Blandford Street and grab the famous Pablo’s Eggsgobao breakfast to keep you going. Prefer a coffee? Head over to the brilliant George Street Social and hear about their incredible
Next walk towards Blandford Square, where you will pass Alphabetti Theatre and the Discovery Museum. The wonderful Discovery Museum is also home to the Tyne & Wear Archives. Here, take a moment to pause, look up at the beautiful building and it’s architecture – this is the Glimmer Shot. After, enjoy a wonder inside and immerse yourself in Tyneside's rich industrial and maritime history among many other feature exhibits. Did you know it's free to enter too? Bonus!
Carry on the walk to the cross road at the top of Blandford Square. From here turn right at the lights, down Westgate Road. Down this road, you’ll pass Tyne Theatre & Opera House and music venue, NX. Keep going until you reach the Mile Castle, then turn right again at the lights to get you back to Central Station.
End Point: Central Station
Time Estimate: Approximately 15 minutes
#7 Glimmer Shot: Exhibition Park
Start Point: Great North Museum: Hancock
Route: Start at Great North Museum: Hancock and make your way up Claremont Road. Once at the roundabout, cross the road towards Exhibition Park. Head up the path, taking in the beautiful greenery.
Walk towards the pond, pose for a pic and take a nice little stroll around the water! There's plenty of benches if you want to have a sit down and take in the nature. Once you're ready, make your way back to the skatepark, hopefully feeling refreshed!
Before you head over to Great North Museum: Hancock, why not stop by Claremont Tea House to try one of their tasty teas, whether you want a traditional English breakfast tea or are looking to try something a bit different for the New Year, they have something for everyone.
If tea isn't your thing, take a stop on the walk to visit Urban Green Cafe. They've got a whole range of drinks for you to choose from - maybe even get yourself a little sweet treat for the road?
End Point: Exhibition Skate Park
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 minutes
#8 Glimmer Shot: Leazes Park
Starting Point: St. James’ STACK
Route: Is your office based over at The Helix? This walk is perfect as it starts over at St James' STACK. Once there, head up towards St James' Park, moving up Barrack Road. Enter Leazes Park on your right and head towards the bandstand.
Then take a nice stroll around the lake and once you're opposite The Tower Cafe, this is the perfect spot for a pic! With the lake and iconic St James’ Park situated behind you, snap a shot and carry on around the lake. Exit via Leazes Terrace and head back down towards Strawberry Place, then back to St James's Stack.
To start the journey, STACK has a whole host of businesses you can pop into, we'd recommend heading into YOLO Coffee & Kitchen and grabbing a takeaway drink (and maybe a snack) for the road!
Halfway around the route, you can stop back by The Tower Cafe near the lake at Leazes Park – it's the perfect place to sit and take in your surroundings and warm those cockles.
End Point: St. James’ STACK
Time Estimate: Approximately 25 minutes
#9 Glimmer Shot: Street Art Trail
Starting Point: Newcastle Civic Centre
Route: If your workplace is based north of the city, this one is for you! Start at Newcastle Civic Centre and head down John Dobson Street to the corner of Ridley Place where you'll find Peter Manning's mural on the wall of Zapatista at Ridley Place.
Continue down John Dobson Street where you'll find the Laing Art Gallery and will catch a glimpse of the murals on their walls. Then head across Market Street, down onto Grainger Street where eventually you'll turn left to hit the Bigg Market and Groat Market check out the mural on the side of the Cathedral Square building.
From there head to your final art spot. Continue down the road and turn right along Collingwood Street heading up to Forth Lane Urban Art Gallery to soak up the vibrant street art along this innovative space.
If you're out for an early morning walk, be sure to stop by Frankie & Tony's for one of the best breakfast baps in town. As you stop at the Laing Art Gallery, did you know behind there you'll find Magic Hat Cafe? And did you know their on a mission to tackle food waste? It's the perfect place to get warm and feel all the wholesome vibes with their pay-as-you-feel policy.
As you head along Collingwood Street be sure to check out the Camera Shop. Although it was a working camera shop in 1907, it’s now a foodie hotspot cooking up incredible breakfast, lunches and coffees – you name it they do it! The walk deserves a treat and what better way to end than a sweet treat from Pink Lane Bakery!
End Point: Pink Lane
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 minutes
#10 Glimmer Shot: Gotham Hotel Courtyard
Starting Point: Newcastle Civic Centre
Route: Start off at Newcastle Civic Centre, enjoying the peaceful green civic space in front of the Grade II listed building. Cross the road and head towards Northumberland Street, where you can soak up the progress the transformation works on the street – did you know the development works started in December 2023? How fast has the time gone! Scheduled to wrap up in early 2026, you can already see just how far things have come as you walk down the street.
As you head south, it’s the ideal time to grab a warming drink to kick off your walk properly - stop in at The Coffee Trader just off Northumberland Street - a nice way to start the day and get you ready to explore.
Once refreshed, continue down towards Pilgrim Street. At the lights, stop and take a moment, because talk about a transformation! The bold and beautiful glass building in front of you will be home to over 9,000 new city centre employees from next year.
Continuing on, a must-stop on Pilgrim Street itself is Leaf Clothing. This independent boutique has been part of the city for decades, helping local folks refresh their wardrobes with personal service and unique pieces since 1978. Be sure to drop in, have a browse, and maybe, if you're thinking new year, new you, it could be the perfect place for a shop!
From there, continue south and make your way into the Gotham Hotel. Recently opened, you must take a walk through to their courtyard and take a snap of this space. The entrance alone is worth a picture, and once inside you can see how the old fire station features have been carefully retained and restored. It’s one of those places that surprises even regular city walkers - the perfect glimmer shot!
After, continue along Pilgrim Street towards the new Worswick Chambers STACK, where history meets city life. On your way in, make sure to look up at the exterior of the building - the sculpted heads on the façade are beautiful and have been lovingly restored making sure they've kept lots of original details making it a great juxtaposition of old city character and new use.
End Point: STACK: Worswick Chambers
Time Estimate: Approximately 20 minutes
There you have it – ten walks in Newcastle that we guarantee will leave you feeling better both mentally and physically, all while embracing the ethos of Red January and seeing the city in a whole new light! So, what are you waiting for? Get walking and get capturing those glimmer shots, and be sure to tag us in your images by sharing REDJanuaryNewcastle across your social platforms.
Main image: Newcastle upon Tyne Bridges and Skyline by JimmyGuano (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons
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