Starting on campus, the Spiral Nebula sits outside the Herschel building, reflecting 1960’s scientific advancements, like space exploration.
On the Civic Centre lies a bronze River God Tyne statue. Originally installed with a fountain running water from its arm, the colour has subsequently darkened. When installed, it was the largest bronze figure in the UK.
Continue onto Ridley Place, where there’s an impressive pop-art mural of a woman in Native American headdress. Manning’s was the first of several commissioned by the Council in 2023.
An often-missed installation, on Primark’s side, depicts the history of Newcastle. Roman gods and Latin text allude to Hadrian’s influence, figures of coal miners and steel workers present industries integral to the region’s economic prosperity.
Newcastle’s Golden Girl stands upon the Northern Goldsmiths’ 24ct gold leaf clock. Venus-like, she’s over 90 and famous within the city, as it was a traditional meeting point for WWII servicemen and partners.
On Thornton Street lies the Tyne Line of Txt Flow, unnoticed and stepped over. 140m of collaged poetry, inspired by the hidden Skinner Burn, acts as a jigsawed introduction to North-Eastern history.
Make your way to The Black Swan Courtyard where an immense Iron Man statue of scrap metal stands tall. It was the stage puppet in the Iron Man musical by Townshend, The Who guitarist, based on Hughes’ book.
Down on the quayside, keep an eye out for the mosaics inspired by the game Space Invaders. Invader, a French urban artist, since 1998 has been pasting his art in cities across the world, calling it an ‘Invasion’.
Past the Millennium Bridge is Swirle Pavillion. Part folly, part sculpture, celebrating the local trades that dwindled by the 1980s. The city names on it are reminiscent of old trading partners of Newcastle, where boats departed right from the banks of the Tyne itself.
A few steps on is Blacksmith’s Needle, a 7.6m tall conical structure. It’s encrusted in anything and everything related to the ocean: mermaids, shells, sea creatures. Each of the six sections contains something made in ‘forge-ins’.
We couldn’t end without mentioning Ouseburn’s many murals, bringing so much colour to the area. With Almond’s Ancient Place, or Mul’s Young Hearts Run Free, there’s so much to immerse yourself in.