Brits applaud ‘beautiful’ Newcastle where ‘everyone is so friendly’ | Travel News | Travel

The UK isn’t short of friendly cities, but Britons have weighed in to share some of their absolute favourites when it comes to meeting happy and welcoming locals. One northern city, in particular, has charmed visitors, not only thanks to its “beautiful” buildings but also as a result of its friendly locals.

In the Reddit forum “Ask a Brit“, people sought to find some of the “friendliest” destinations in the country and one poster hailed Newcastle as being so nice they wanted to go back again.

“I have to say Newcastle was the friendliest place I’ve ever been,” said the Reddit poster. “I don’t know if it was because we had different accents but everyone was so friendly, even retail staff.” [SIC]

Newcastle, located on the banks of the River Tyne, is England’s northernmost metropolitan borough with a rich history of industry and culture behind it, and huge parts of the city’s past can still be seen today. Newcastle has had many identities over the years, from being home to one of the earliest UK settlements of the Roman world to being widely considered “the second town of the kingdom” by the seventeenth century.

According to Newcastle’s local government website: “In 1609 Newcastle was described as the ‘glory of all the towns in this country’ and in 1633 ‘beyond all compare the fairest and richest town in England, inferior for wealth and building to no city save London’.”

Newcastle Castle, built under Norman rule in approximately the 12th century, is one of the most known historic landmarks in the city. The castle serves as a mark of where the city began and took its name from.

From here, visitors are e treated to commanding views across the city and River Tyne. The castle is open to the public for a fee.

Or, tucked away beneath the city is Victoria Tunnel, a fully preserved 19th-century coal wagonway which was also used as a WW2 air-raid shelter. “It’s a beautiful city with stacks of history,” added the Reddit poster. “I definitely want to go back again.”

Of course, the people are also a huge part of what makes the city such a welcoming place. In recent years, Newcastle has been awarded the title of UK’s friendliest city by Big 7 Travel. Big 7 Travel stated: “Newcastle takes the top spot thanks to its lively locals, engaging social scene and ease of access for first-time visitors.

“It’s family-friendly and safe, with heaps of culture and makes visitors soon feel like locals. The atmosphere in Newcastle and beyond is hard to match, with a homey feel and locals who go the extra mile to welcome tourists.”

Geordies, as locals are known, are renowned for being friendly. In 2017, a survey for Random Act of Kindness Day found 48 percent of Newcastle residents perform a good deed at least once a day. The impressive figure is well above the national average of 19 percent.

In a separate Reddit forum dedicated to Newcastle upon Tyne, one commenter said: “I have lived in the North East for 24 years, moved up from London to study. And I would say Geordies are hilarious, loyal, friendly, have a beautiful way of communicating, and above all very proud of where they come from. I love this place and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.” [SIC]

A second commenter, who moved to Newcastle from Australia, added: “Geordies are so friendly it’s wild. Sure there are a few bad eggs but [you] get that everywhere. The overwhelming majority are just lovely. I’m an Aussie who ended up here eight or nine years ago and haven’t left.” [SIC]