The Badger. If you drive up the Ponteland Road (the A696) past the airport you'll come to the village of Ponteland. Soon after you'll see the homely Badger Pub on the right (a 5-10 minute car journey).

If you are coming by train, you can enjoy a pint within the walls of Newcastle Central station in the grand surroundings of the Centurion Bar (Neville Street). Otherwise you could sample the delights of the bustling Bigg Market or the trendy Quayside (both a 5-10 min walk from the station).

In Ponteland you can visit the Smithy's Bistro (01661 820020), which offers traditional British and French fare.

China Town, which is based around Stowell Street in the city centre, is a great find - a 10-minute walk/3 minute Metro ride from the Central Station (get off at St. James) - with restaurants such as Lau's Buffet King (0191 2618868) and Shangri - La (0191 2612289).

You'll also find a wealth of Italian and Indian restaurants in the city centre.

Rail: From Newcastle Central Station take the Metro to either Kingston Park or Bankfoot stations (you need to be on a train for the Airport). Both stations are within easy walking distance of the ground.

Bus: National Express coaches stop at the Gallowgate bus station in the city centre, near to the Haymarket Metro station.

The Laing Art Gallery, with its interesting exhibitions, is well worth a look, as is the Hancock Museum and the ground breaking International Centre for Life.

You can also take a stroll along the stunning Quayside area, with its impressive architecture and the world's first rotating bridge, The Gateshead Millennium Bridge.