Gateshead

Gateshead nestled on the River Tyne and Wear, in North East England is the best place you could possibly be to have a jolly good time. It is connected by six bridges to the upbeat and flashy Newcastle city centre and has evolved to a high voltage party town with a distinct urban aura. Fun loving people, gay villages and a plethora of bars and clubs make it a heady option for a short ramble or a longer stay.

Spend a friendly night with the fabled north eastern English charm in this happening place, filled to the brim with attractive sights and engaging activities that would cater to the diverse moods and needs of the travellers. There is no dearth of pubs and chic watering holes. If you belong to the hard hitting clubbing league then check out some of the exclusive clubs including a few gay clubs as well. There is an array of live entertainment options and theatre. If you are looking for some steamy moments then you cannot miss out the lesbian and gay cabaret shows to the accompaniment of live music and DJs.

The city centre is a stunning medley of the old and the avante garde buildings that silhouette the city skyline. The Gateshead Millennium Bridge, an engineering marvel with its unique 'blinking eye' opening system, which bagged the prestigious James Stirling prize for architecture in 2002 is the latest gem added to the crown of this marvellous town. Sage Gateshead is another ultra-modern building that forms a venue of music and the performing arts.

The swish café car and jazz cafes are the ultimate hot spots where the party animals can hobnob while all the roads of art buffs lead to the Theatre Royal, which sets stage to some of the world famous national and international productions of ballet and opera. Gateshead has indeed come a long way from being a rural coal mining village to a brimming economy driven by various industries such as locomotive industries and chemicals among others.

Shopaholics can seek the ultimate shopping pleasure at The Metro Centre- the largest shopping and leisure complex in the UK and a major crowd puller. Do not forget to take a peek at the Metroland, Europe's largest indoor amusement park.

There are dime a dozen activities that would pack a punch to all your special occasions like stag or hen weekend such as quad biking, canoeing, fishing and punting among others.