London Newcastle Train

London is the capital city of both England and of the United Kingdom and spans both banks of the River Thames. Present day London can trace its history back 2,000 years from when it was a Roman settlement. London is a truly global city that has strengths in arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, media, research and development and tourism. London has the largest financial services sector in the world, the world's largest city airport by passenger numbers and world class universities including Imperial College, King's College the London School of Economics and University College London.

Due in part to its port London has a diverse population from around the world. It is estimated that more than 300 languages are spoken within the city's boundaries. This ethnic diversity enhances London's cultural offering. Among the many landmarks and historic buildings visitors are particularly drawn to the four sites that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the combined Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret's Church and Greenwich which includes the Royal Observatory and the fact that Greenwich marks the Prime Meridian, 0 degrees longitude and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Located in north east England, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne (usually known as just Newcastle) is a regional capital situated north of the River Tyne. Newcastle is the county town of Northumberland and has many attractions for visitors to see and do including the famous Tyne Bridge, the Discovery Museum and St James' Park football ground, home to Newcastle United Football Club. Newcastle's cathedral dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and is topped with a crown like structure and arches that support a lantern. Inside the cathedral and behind the high altar is one of the largest funeral brasses in England. Running along both sides of the River Tyne is the Metro that connects Newcastle with various historic attractions and the sandy beaches at Whitley Bay and Tynemouth. Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena is a purpose-built concert and exhibition venue that attracts some of the biggest names in music, as well as comedy and exciting sporting events, ice shows and family performances. Newcastle City Hall, which opened in 1927 and is smaller in size than the Metro Radio Arena, was the city’s first dedicated concert hall and continues to be a popular venue for rock, pop and comedy.