A Guide to Living in Tyne & Wear

Where is Tyne & Wear?

Tyne & Wear is located in the North East of England, bordering County Durham to the north and Northumberland to the east. The region is made up of four metropolitan boroughs: Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Areas in Tyne & Wear

When looking for a property in Tyne & Wear, it’s important to consider the different areas. Each of the four metropolitan boroughs has its own character and offers something unique.

Newcastle upon Tyne – Newcastle upon Tyne is the largest city in the region and home to world-famous landmarks such as Newcastle Castle and The Quayside. It’s also a major shopping and nightlife destination, with plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Gateshead – Gateshead is located across the River Tyne from Newcastle and is home to the iconic Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The area has a strong industrial heritage, with attractions such as the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

South Tyneside – South Tyneside is the smallest borough in the area, with sandy beaches along its coastline. It’s also home to one of Europe’s most popular shopping arcades at The Benton Factory Outlet Centre.

Sunderland – Sunderland is known for being the birthplace of the British shipbuilding industry. The area has a variety of attractions, including museums, art galleries and theatres.

North Tyneside – North Tyneside is a mix of coastal towns and villages, with a population of over 200,000. It’s home to Silverlink Shopping Park, one of the largest shopping centres in the region.

Universities in Tyne & Wear

When it comes to higher education, you’ll find that there are plenty of options for students in Tyne & Wear. The area is home to three major universities:

Newcastle University – Newcastle University is one of the most prestigious universities in the UK, and was ranked as the 26th best university in Europe by The Times Higher Education Supplement.

Northumbria University – Northumbria University is a large, multi-campus institution with over 18,000 students. It has been awarded Gold status by the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.

Sunderland University – Sunderland University is the largest university in Tyne & Wear, with over 25,000 students. It has a strong focus on employability, with 96% of graduates in work or further study within six months of graduating.

Top Schools in Tyne & Wear

Tyne & Wear is home to a number of excellent schools, both state-funded and private.

The following are some of the best schools in Tyne & Wear:

King Edward VI School – A boys’ grammar school with over 1400 students, the King Edward VI School is one of the top-performing schools in the country. It has been awarded an “outstanding” rating by Ofsted.

Royal Grammar School – A top grammar school in Newcastle, the Royal Grammar School is a selective school with over 1400 students and a 92% pass rate at A-level.

George Stephenson High School – A large comprehensive school in North Tyneside, George Stephenson High School has a pass rate of 99.35% at GCSE and has been rated by Ofsted as “outstanding”.

Sacred Heart High School for Girls – located in Gateshead, Sacred Heart High School for Girls is a Catholic school with over 1000 students. It has been rated as “good” by Ofsted.

Population of Tyne & Wear

The population of Tyne & Wear is just over two million, making it the most populated area in North East England. The majority of people living in Tyne & Wear are concentrated in Newcastle (pop: 280,000) and Sunderland (pop: 275,000).