Ok, Ok don’t panic! On February 1st 2017, my heart was beating so fast, as I log into the Newcastle City council website to book tickets for Grey’s Monument in Newcastle Tour, and finally got my hands on those precious babies! Bring on August 5th 2.30pm.
If you are visiting Newcastle Upon Tyne OR you are living here, did you know you can climb Grey’s Monument in Newcastle Upon Tyne, it’s the prominent historic structure at the Monument area. And in this guide, I will show you how to get the tickets, what’s it like climbing up and the views of course. It’s one of those things that is fun to do in Newcastle.
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Don’t have time to read yet? Grab my quick recommendations below!
Here are my top picks Hotels in Newcastle Upon Tyne if you are planning to stay:
⭐️⭐️ Easyhotel (By the Quayside, my friends have stayed here before, and it’s actually not bad, clean, and easy access to Quayside and walk to the city centre) : Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Motel One (Heart of City centre and Dog friendly, it’s lovely, my other friends have stayed here as well, the room is great, and literally in between bigg market and grey street) : Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️ Dakota Newcastle (By the Quayside, this one is new to the scene and from what I have seen so far, its the poshest one but looks very nice if you feel like splashing out) : Click here for rates & availability.
If you have a day or two, You can get a Guided Walking tour of Newcastle City Centre.
or have a fun experience especially in the summer and take the Newcastle Beer and Prosecco Bike Tour
🗺️ Insurance: Protect yourself on your trip with Travel Medical Insurance.
📱 Connect: Always stay connected, and do so seamlessly, with a UK eSim!
🚗 Traveling around the North East and rest of UK? Discover Affordable Car Rentals here!
*Disclaimer: Please do not copy or use any of the pictures or materials in this post for any commercial, sales or personal publicity online and physical – please request written permission first. Thank you*
How to climb up Grey’s Monument in Newcastle Upon Tyne?
You see, I’ve been walking past Grey’s monument for years and never thought it was open to the public. The photographer in me is dying to climb up there and take a birds-eye view of the city!
This Grey’s Monument in Newcastle tour is only open during the summer for the first weekend of every month until the beginning of September. You have half an hour to climb up 164 steps and enjoy the breathtaking views from above. There is a lovely volunteer who will point out the sights and history behind the buildings.
August 5th rolled on by and after praying the Sun God for good weather, we put on our walking shoes and head on up!
I’m taking this opportunity to show you Newcastle Upon Tyne from above.
For those of you who are not familiar with Grey’s Monument in Newcastle Upon Tyne, here’s a brief history:
- The monument is dedicated to Charles Grey who is a viscount from North East of England, Alnwick to be precise. This memorial was built to honour him for the passing of the Great Reform Act of 1832. As well as being a great electoral reformer which earned him the title from some of the father of modern British democracy, his Government also saw the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
- And if you love your Earl Grey tea, it is reputedly named after him!
Before your climb, grab a nice meal for extra energy and try one of these restaurants in Newcastle City centre, there’s plenty of options from different cuisines to kid friendly, halal and vegan options and street food.
The Greys Monument in Newcastle Tour:
Find the tour guide by this tiny little entrance on the bottom of the Grey’s monument. Watch your head as you enter and proceed to climb slightly narrow winding stairs.
The tour only allows 8 people at once. Keep in mind it’s not very spacious up there but roomy enough to maneuver ourselves around one another.
Below is a view of The Botanist, it’s gorgeous inside with lights around the dome and you can see their outdoor terrace. This is taking people watching to a whole new level from above!
All of this area is the Monument area due to the fact the Grey’s monument in Newcastle is located in the centre. This whole area is lined with bars, restaurants, and clothing retail chains.
You can see St James’ Football Stadium at the far end in its glory, St James Stadium is home to Newcastle United NUFC.
See if you can spot the Millenium Bridge in the picture below!
Don’t you think the people look like Lego figures from up here ?!
Honestly, I can’t get over how pretty Newcastle Upon Tyne city centre is and its lovely Georgian architecture! If you have never visited this beautiful city, then I highly recommend it even if its only a day trip! There’s plenty of things to do in Newcastle Upon Tyne especially at the city centre if you are only here for a football match day.
It’s incredibly windy up here but no fear, the fences are pretty high as you can see!
This is Grey street on the left, voted as the Academy of Urbanism’s 2010 Great Street Award winner. It is home to Theatre Royal and a range of restaurants, bars, and independent shops.
On the right street, is home to Grainger market which was the largest of its kind in Europe when first built in the 1830s. Inside, there are stalls with fresh produce from a wide range of butchers, grocers, as well as independent restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.
I love this picture so much, I can’t resist editing it in two ways. Let me know which one is your favourite in the comments!
If you are planning to be around in Newcastle Upon Tyne during the summer, be sure to get tickets for the Grey’s Monument Newcastle tour in February for the year as it runs between April to September.
The tour and views were worth the climb, and a bloody good workout, my thighs were in pain the day after – think the gym is needed more often!
More Newcastle Upon Tyne Travel and Food Adventures on WhatsupCourtney:
Want to explore Newcastle’s food scene further? Here are some guides that might help:
25 Things to Do in Newcastle Upon Tyne : My complete guide to the city including more food recommendations
30 Places to eat in Newcastle Upon Tyne City Centre 2025 : Street food, vegan, kid friendly, buffets, Michelin, carvery places in Newcastle City centre
Newcastle Match Day Guide : Where to eat and drink before NUFC matches (trust me, you need this)
Complete Guide to Grainger Market : Deep dive into Britain’s Favourite Market with all the best food vendors
9 Best Bakeries to try in Newcastle Upon Tyne : Find out the bakeries to get the best croissants, pastries, doughnuts, and sourdough
Things to Do in Tynemouth : Including Riley’s Fish Shack, one of the best seafood spots in the North East
Climbing up Grey’s Monument : Climbing Grey’s Monument: Is it worth it and the Costs?
Riley’s Fish Shack Review: The Famous Riley’s Fish Shack in Tynemouth: Is it worth it?
If you’re visiting from abroad, grab an eSIM before you arrive so you can easily look up bakery opening hours and directions while you’re exploring.
Courtney xx
If you are travelling abroad to Italy or Japan, find my Travel Guides on WhatsupCourtney below:
Lake Como Travel Guide: Como City
Best things to do in Varenna, Lake Como Italy 2025 + One Day Itinerary
4 Days in Kyoto Itinerary: Complete First-Timer’s Guide
8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD STAY AT CANDEO HOTELS ROPPONGI TOKYO
10 GREAT THINGS YOU MUST DO AND EAT AT ROPPONGI TOKYO
10 Must-Know Japan Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors (2025)
Courtney xx
Written by Sarah Courtney [whatsupcourtney] – Published: 2017/08/09
WhatsupCourtney
Owner/ Traveller / Content Creator
Hey! I’m Courtney from WhatsupCourtney, I set out to create a blog that brings a whole lot of adventure to our readers. Instead of the traditional influencer and Instagram travels that you normally would see, I am trying instead, to show you the real, raw, and exotic side of travel and a whole lots of food that goes with it. Because I believe food is part of the country culture and needs to be tried and shown proudly.
If you enjoyed reading ‘Climbing up Grey’s Monument, Newcastle’ – pin me for later:
What a wonderful page, your pictures are amazing and show a unique perspective of Newcastle. I will look into this when this pandemic is finally over.
I can remember going up there in 1947/8 with my late mother and, younger brother. We just paid a man at the bottom, it was one old penny for children and two old pennies for adults and I don’t remember there being a time e limit?
Wow what absolutely stunning pictures! I went up Grey’s Monument a few years ago and loved it, glad you did too!
Oh I have just seen your pics on your blog! It’s such an amazing experience wasn’t it! So tempted to do it again!
Omg!! I love it! What a fantastic experience and yay for good weather that day! Love love all the pics so glad you got to do this ❤️
yayy thanks so much, hun! I know right! Finally after so many years living in Newcastle! I’ll keep a lookout when the tickets go on sale for 2018 and organise a trip up for you! ❤️ ❤️
Wow speechless. Really wonderful post and the view is stunning (lucky girl) I love exploring your blog and i can’t wait for your next update. Keep up your fantastic work.
PS: I’m clinging towards the black & white pic but all of them look great, very nice editing
Thank you so much for your lovely compliment! I’m pleased you like it! Yes, the black & white was one of my favourite too!