The height of summer is the ideal time to stretch those legs and get the blood pumping. Whether you’re heading for the hills, venturing into the water or simply enjoying a stroll on the beach, Newcastle is a great location to grab those essential items for your trip.
Here, we help you to get outdoors with the help of some of the city’s great outdoor specialist stores, and offer up some ideas on how you can enjoy some sporty activity in the city too!
LD Mountain Centre, Dean Street
Many will be familiar with the outdoor specialists located on Dean Street, but what you may not know is that the shop’s founders Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison – who started the business in 1966 – are also the founders of the Berghaus outdoor clothing range. As you’d expect, LD Mountain Centre is an ideal place to stock up for your next adventure, with a vast range of specialist equipment to get you on piste, up a mountain, in a tent, or zipping along a running track in no time. They stock all the big name brands (including Berghaus of course!) and their knowledgeable staff have first-hand experience to help you get the most out of your gear. A real Newcastle treasure.
Cotswold, Northumberland Street
Encompassing both Runners’ Need and Snow+Rock, the giant Cotswold store opposite Eldon Square on Northumberland Street boasts the biggest range of outdoor equipment in the city. Specialist services include a running gait analysis (which will help you to get the best fit of running shoe), a ski boot and rucksack fitting service, electronics advice and help with putting together adventure kits and camping kits. Popular brands like Rab, The North Face and Mountain Equipment are all present and correct. The shop also includes Runners Need - whose experts can advise on kit, nutrition, and tech for running fanatics or beginners alike - and outdoor sports enthusiasts Snow+Rock.
The North Face, Blackett Street
The North Face brand is synonymous with explorers and adventurers, with a sustainably conscious drive and even their own community of explorers. Renowned for creating durable technical apparel which is fashionable as well as hard-wearing, the North Face shop carries clothing, footwear and equipment to get you into the heart of the action. Kids are well catered for here too, and there’s a great backpack department. No matter where your next adventure takes you, The North Face has got you covered!
Kommand Outdoors, Bigg Market
Head to the affordable and friendly Kommand Outdoors if you’re after military surplus gear including clothing and equipment like bushcraft knives. As well as a range of workwear, quirky fashion and urban wear, Kommand is a top location for those looking to go off-grid and get out into the wild thanks to their extensive camping department. Channel your inner Bear Grylls and grab lightweight hammocks, backpacking and survival tents, tarps and rucksacks - plus all the cooking equipment you’ll need to survive in the wild!
Rohan, Hood Street
A mere hop, skip and a jump from Grey’s Monument will take you to Rohan’s Hood Street store. Not just a retailer, Rohan started making outdoor clothing in 1972 and they have a wealth of experience creating hardy outdoor wear. You’ll find all manner of technical clothing at the shop, from the original multi-function 'Rohan Bags’ trousers to insulating jackets which will keep you cosy on the highest of mountains (or during a wild Newcastle winter). Rohan’s gear is fashionable as well as technical, and they’ve won numerous awards for their innovation, from infusing insect repellent into their clothing range to rating clothes for their protection against UV.
Sport Freak, Fenkle Street
Get to peak fitness with the help of Sport Freak’s expert advice on supplements, from protein shakes to juice energy shots. Whether it’s pre-workout supplements or vital vitamins and minerals you’re after, they stock many trusted brands. They also stock a range of gym clothing and equipment.
Start Fitness, Market Street
The staff at Start Fitness are self-confessed fitness enthusiasts, which means you’ll get expert advice as well as affordable choices at their large store on Market Street. They’ll help you maximise your achievements and reach your training goals with their vast range of specialist fitness equipment, and the shop stocks everything from clothing and footwear, to accessories like smartwatches and monitors, fitness equipment including weights and yoga gear, plus a variety of bicycles including electric bikes, BMX and mountain bikes, and all the accessories and tech you need. The running and fitness community and grassroots sport is at the heart of what Start Fitness do best, so if you’re searching for a tribe, look no further!
Now you’ve got all the gear, it’s time to put some of that equipment to the test! Try a few of these energetic options in the city…
The City Baths, Northumberland Road
A Newcastle institution, the pool and fitness centre is at the heart of the city, meaning it’s a perfect place for a quick lunchtime swim or a post-work exercise class. Plus, early opening and late closing times mean they’re ready when you are! A variety of membership packages include use of the pool and gym, the option to join group exercise classes, and much more. The building is also home to the historic Turkish baths, which are currently undergoing renovation.
Pure Gym, Eldon Garden & St. James Boulevard
Boasting two city centre locations, the 24-hour Pure Gym sites are stocked with everything you need to get fit. The gyms house a vast range of kit (over 220 items, in fact!) - from running machines, dumbbells and bikes to rigs and prowler tracks. They boast a huge variety of free weights (including an Olympic weightlifting platform if you’re aiming high) and a bunch of great extras like access to personal trainers. Fitness classes are included in the membership too, meaning you can get the most out of your training.
Sport Central, Northumberland Road
Whether you’re looking to keep fit with group exercise classes, use world-class equipment in the gym, enjoy a swim in the 25m six-lane pool, or relax in the sauna or steam room, the state-of-the-art facility at Northumbria University’s Sport Central has it all. They run kids camps during the summer and you can also play badminton, have a go at table tennis, work with a personal trainer and even book out their sports hall as a full, half or multiple court.
Town Moor
Longing to get out of the hustle and bustle? You don’t need to leave the city to get a breath of fresh air! Over 1,000 acres stretch from the outskirts of the city near Haymarket, which makes for perfect jogging, running or walking space. Just watch out for the resident cows – the Town Moor has been pastureland since the 12th century! If that sounds too strenuous, you could just watch the world and a handful of ducks go by at Wylam Brewery in Exhibition Park instead.
NE1 Summer in the City activities, Newcastle Quayside
Part of NE1’s celebration of summer, the Summer in the City programme offers plenty of opportunities to get fit and active in the city between July and September. Activities include Monday morning guided meditation with Yoga Therapies, who also host pop-up yoga on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; an energetic HIIT class delivered by the experts at The City Baths every Monday; family fitness sessions courtesy of Newcastle United’s Foundation on Fridays; or Agewell Workouts from The City Baths every Wednesday. Plus, everything’s free! Just sign up on the website.
If you feel inspired to hike up that mountain, run that race, ski that piste or swim a length or two, Newcastle’s a great place to start your next adventure!
