2015 · rugby-world-cup ·Jul 15, 2015

Rugby World Cup 2015: Newcastle (St James' Park)

The Rugby World Cup is set to kick off on September 18th, so with just a few weeks to go Centurion is offering some help and advice on hotels, restaurants, nightlife and how to get to the cities picked to host the matches.

Eleven cities across England and Wales have been selected to host the Rugby World Cup 2015, and this week we've picked Newcastle as our chosen city of interest. Newcastle is home to St James' Park stadium, the second largest sports stadium in England outside of London with a capacity of 52,409 and home to Newcastle United Football Club.

If you're looking for places to stay, eat or go out, we've put together a short guide below to Newcastle, to help celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Matches

Saturday 3rd October - South Africa v Scotland - 16.45

Friday 9th October - New Zealand v Tonga - 20.00

Saturday 10th October - Samoa v Scotland - 14.30

Top places to stay

Premier Inn New Bridge Street (0.5 miles from stadium)

The Premier in is located in the heart of Newcastle, just 0.5 miles from St James' Park and next to the Eldon Square shopping precinct. The rooms are modern and bright with king size beds and TVs. The contemporary restaurant serves a hearty English breakfast as well as a wide range of British cuisine and grill dishes. The Metro Station is just 5 minute's walk away.

Sandman Signature Hotel (0.1 miles from Stadium)

The Sandman Signature is a brand new hotel sporting a sports bar and grill restaurant and a fitness centre, and is located conveniently right next to St James' Park! The hotel offers modern boutique-style rooms with free Wi-Fi, a flat screen TV, large windows and air conditioning. The Shark Gastro bar serves a traditional evening menu and light lunches whilst the bar offers a range of snacks and drinks. Newcastle Rail Station is a 10 minute walk away.

Crowne Plaza Newcastle - Stephenson Quarter (0.6 miles from stadium)

Located close to St James' Park stadium, the Crowne Plaza offers an indoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre and a fitness centre. Rooms benefit from free Wi-Fi, a mini-bar and city views whilst the train station is just 5 minute's walk away and Gateshead Millennium Bridge is 15 minutes’ stroll away.Hawthorns on-site restaurant offers brasserie style north British cuisine that is freshly-prepared and locally-sourced whilst the Gin Bar offers guests the chance to relax and unwind.

Top places to eat

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill

Located just 4 minute's walk from St James' Park at 2-8 Fenkle Street in Newcastle's luxurious Hotel Indigo, Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse Bar & Grill offers an ultra-modern dining experience. The British based menu is filled with some of the world-renowned chef's best creations served in a slick and cosmopolitan setting.

Browns Bar & Brasserie

Located just a 6 minute walk from St James' Park at 51 Grey Street, is Browns Bar & Brasserie - a classic favourite bar and restaurant serving a mixture of European brasserie dishes and comfort classics within a timeless elegant setting. The atmosphere is informal and offers the perfect place to unwind after a match.

Jamie's Italian

Located just a 5 minute walk from St James' Park on Monument Mall, Jamie's Italian has won thousands of fans thanks to its delicious and affordable food served in a relaxed and comfortable family setting. The Jamie's Italian menu is based on traditional, wholesome Italian dishes with minimal fuss. Pasta is homemade on site daily and jamie is committed to using only the best possible ingredients.

Top places to drink

St James' Park is one of the few remaining grounds located in the centre of Newcastle city, meaning you are only a few minute's walk from the main shopping areas, restaurants and pubs. There are plenty of bars to choose from but most fans tend to favour the pubs opposite the railway station.

Bodega

Located on Westgate Road, Bodega is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and offers a friendly atmosphere which makes it one of the most popular venues in Newcastle. Boasting a traditional long bar, Victorian stained glass domes, elaborately tiled floors and a plethora of history, you'll feel at home in this state of the art pub. Serving the very best real ale with several plasma TVs dotted about to catch up on the sport, it's the perfect place to relax before or after the match.

Bridge Tavern (formerly the Newcastle Arms)

Located on St Andrew's Street and also in the Good Beer Guide, the Bridge Tavern is located close to the ground, therefore you need to arrive early to gain entrance. The pub has a lively and welcoming family-friendly atmosphere and offers a wide selection of real ales along with a traditional menu. Upstairs you can sit outside on lovely comfortable settees under heat lamps and enjoy the views - it's definitely worth a visit.

The Lounge

Located on Neville Street,'The Lounge' is a modern bar serving proper food within a prime location right opposite Newcastle central station. Taking up a whole corner of Neville Street, the bar offers plenty of seating outside - a quirky and fun element to this bar is the addition of mini screen by the side of each table which can be used to play the 'cheap drinks' game. There's a large mix of real ales and lagers on tap as well as a comprehensive selection of wines, and if you're hungry, you can also order from a classic British menu serving all the local favourites.

Getting there and away

Newcastle United FC
St. James' Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4ST

The stadium is located centrally within Newcastle city centre, for visits on a non-match day there are several car parks that are available within a few minute's walk from the stadium, but it is recommended that visitors use public transport where possible.

By foot

St. James' Park is located around a five minute walk from the heart of the city centre, and is signposted throughout.

By bus

Newcastle has two major bus stations, Haymarket (for services from Northumberland and the North) and Eldon Square (services from County Durham and the south). These are located adjacent to each other on Percy Street, next to Haymarket Metro station. To get to the stadium from both bus stations, cross over to the far side of the road, then walk up the passageway next to the Goose public house, and turn left.

NB: Stagecoach buses do not stop at either of the bus stations, but stop in the centre of town, from where the ground is signposted and easily walkable.

By Metro

If you are travelling from the coast/Wallsend (on the yellow line), take the Metro to St. James' Metro station, come out of the station, walk up the steps ahead and you will see the ground. If you are travelling from South Tyneside/Gosforth, get off at Haymarket and follow the directions above.

By train

Newcastle Central station is located around 15 minutes walk from St. James' Park, and is well signposted. Cross the road from the station, and walk up Pink Lane, passing the Forth Hotel. Turn right onto Clayton Street, then left onto Westgate Street. Outside Tilleys Bar, bear right onto Bath Lane, passing Fujiyama Restaurant. After 200 metres, turn right and then left onto Gallowgate, and the ground will be obvious from here.

Park and ride

Two park and ride schemes are currently in operation: from Newcastle Great Park (just to the west of the A1) and also the 'Soccerbus' that operates from Metro Centre, offering a great way to avoid the hassle of finding (and paying for) a parking spot in the city centre. No need to book, just turn up on the day - both park and rides are operational from around 3 hours before the game and 3 hours afterwards to make your journey as flexible as possible.

By bike

There are a total of 40 bike stands outside St. James' Park. Cycling maps to show routes to the city centre and St. James' Park are available from Newcastle City Council.