The best places to shop in Newcastle

As one of the north-east's most attractive cities, it is hardly surprising that people come from all over the region (and beyond) just to shop in Newcastle. Thanks to its cultural and commercial standing, the city has plenty of great shops – from independent boutiques to sprawling malls packed with all the latest designer labels. May 26th to June 3rd marks NE1's Newcastle Fashion Week, so there's even more reason to come for a visit!

Eldon Square offers attractive city-centre shopping, while the trendier among you will enjoy a trip to the leafy suburb of Jesmond, which also happens to be packed with hip and happening boutiques for all your apparel needs. There's so much on offer in Newcastle and its surrounding area, that you'll be spoiled for choice.

After a day spent lugging around countless shopping bags and pounding the pavement in search of those latest and greatest bargains, you’ll no doubt be in agreement with us here at Euro Hostel, that retail therapy is exhausting! Luckily for you, there just so happens to be some great city centre accommodation in Newcastle, where you can put down your bags and rest those weary feet.

We know that you want to save as much money as possible for your spending spree and you'll find great prices at our Newcastle hostel. You'll also be able to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a tasty beverage or two at the Ware Rooms. But let's save those delicious (and reasonably priced) treats for the home stretch. Right now, there’s shopping to do! After all, that new top you've had your eye on isn't going to buy itself! Here's our guide to some of the best shopping spots in Newcastle…

Eldon Square

Bursting at the seams with 140 shops – and just a few minutes from our great city centre accommodation in Newcastle – Eldon square is one of the best shopping experiences you're likely to find anywhere, not just on Tyneside. Situated right in the heart of the city, it is one of the UK's largest city centre shopping arcades, incorporating the recently opened St Andrew's Way, which boasts a four-storey Debenhams, as well as Apple and Hollister stores.

After shopping at all of the biggest high-street brands including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Guess, New Look, River Island and Topshop, you'll also be able to grab a bite to eat, as Eldon Square is home to a great selection of eateries and cafes. You can enjoy a meal at Nando's, Strada or Wagamama, among others. Alternatively, just get a coffee to go at Eldon's Esquires and Starbucks coffee shops.

Opening times: Monday – Friday, 9am-8pm; Saturdays, 9am-7pm; Sundays, 11am-5pm; Bank Holidays, 10am-6pm.

Fenwick Department Centre

While Fenwick may actually be located in Eldon Square, we thought it deserved to be singled out and receive an extra bit of attention because it's so good. Unlike Debenhams and John Lewis, which migrated from the south, Fenwick has Newcastle in its blood, having been established in the city as long ago as 1882 by an ambitious young shop assistant called John James Fenwick.

In those days, Fenwick specialised in mantles, silk goods, dresses and trimmings. Ambitious expansion at the end of the 19th century saw the once-humble shop established as the north-east's premier department store. Today, it commands a network of establishments across the UK with the flagship venue in Newcastle promising "five floors of pure shopping pleasure". Fenwick stocks all the latest brands and designer goods, from Ray Ban and Adidas to Paul Smith and Duchamp. There are also ten cafes and restaurants so you can keep your energy levels up while dashing between the concessions.

Opening times: Monday – Friday, 9am-8pm; Saturday, 9am-7pm; Sunday, 10.30am-5pm.

Gateshead Metrocentre

Not to be outdone by all the fantastic shopping opportunities available at Eldon Square, the Gateshead Metrocentre can claim to be Europe's largest indoor shopping and leisure complex, bringing together more than 330 stores selling goods ranging from homewares to high-end fashion brands. Rather than listing all the great brands and shops you can find here, it would be easier for us to say which shops are not at the Metrocentre. However, we're really not sure there are any!

It's not just about the shopping at Metrocentre though. There's a Namco Funscape with ten-pin bowling and the fastest dodgems track in Europe, as well as a soft play area and plenty of great arcade machines. Watch the game at its fully-licensed sports bar, or head over to the Odeon IMAX for one of the best cinema experiences money can buy. The impressive venue is also packed with restaurants at the Metrocentre Qube food court. You can get there easily by hopping on the Metro or grabbing Stagecoach's number 100 express bus from the city centre.

Opening times: Monday – Friday, 10am-9pm; Saturday, 9am-7pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm; Bank Holidays, 10am-6pm.

Newcastle city centre

This guide to shopping in Newcastle really wouldn't be complete without a mention of some of the great independent boutiques that you'll find in the city centre. Many of these can be found along High Bridge, just down the road from Euro Hostel Newcastle. Here, you'll find RPM (just off High Bridge, in Old George Square), a great little record shop that stocks some true hard-to-come-by gems.

There's also END, with its array of "globally sourced" menswear. Vivienne Westwood's stand alone boutique, the appropriately named Westwood, can be found on Hood Street packed with apparel showing off the legendary designer's trade-mark style.

On Pink Lane, Electrik Sheep is the place to go for a great selection of tees sporting exclusive designs, including those I Bridge NC t-shirts you'll no doubt be spotting on the streets of Newcastle.  Further down the way, on George Street, you'll find  all manner of vintage and period clothing at Attica – from the 1920s to the 1950s, '60s and '70s. And if clothes aren't your bag, it does some great retro furniture and decor as well.

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