Jesmond works for students because a normal week fits inside it. Newcastle University and Northumbria’s City Campus both have Haymarket as their nearest Metro station, which is one stop from Jesmond, and the cafes, shops, bars, restaurants and green space a student week needs are in Jesmond itself or a short Metro ride away.
Here’s what that looks like, day by day.
Monday: coffee, then lectures
Haymarket is one stop from Jesmond Metro (two from West Jesmond) and is right opposite Newcastle University’s campus. It’s also the nearest station to Northumbria’s City Campus. That leaves time for a coffee first. Local on Acorn Road is a coffee house and deli that stocks goods from other local suppliers, and Pink Lane has a bakery in Jesmond if you’d rather take a pastry with you.
Tuesday: errands on Acorn Road
Acorn Road covers most of what a house runs out of. Greggs is at number 34, Acorn Outfitters sells easy everyday clothes, and Oliver Bonas, at number 2, is the one for homeware and gifts. For the weekly shop there’s a Waitrose on Osborne Road.
Wednesday: Osborne Road
Wednesday is the student night out in Newcastle, and in Jesmond that means Osborne Road: a run of pubs and sports bars, many with big terraces. If your house is nearby, it’s a walk home rather than a taxi.
The flip side is noise. The closer a house is to Osborne Road, the more of Wednesday night you’ll hear from your bedroom. Some groups want exactly that and some don’t, which is a fair question to raise at a viewing.
Thursday: a slower day outdoors
Jesmond Dene is a wooded valley that follows the Ouseburn, and it’s the proper walk. Exhibition Park sits next to Newcastle University’s campus, so it fits between lectures as easily as it does after them.
Friday: into the city by Metro
From Jesmond Metro, Haymarket is one stop and Monument is two. From West Jesmond, add one stop to each. That puts the city centre a short ride from home, with the Metro doing the work.
Saturday: dinner without going into town
Jesmond has enough restaurants that Saturday dinner doesn’t need a trip to the city centre. Francesca’s on Manor House Road is a family-run Italian, Long Friday in West Jesmond does small plates with wine and cocktails, and Dabbawal is the Indian option.
Sunday: brunch
Burds is an all-day brunch and coffee place on Burdon Terrace, in a Grade II listed building. Cafe 1901 is in a converted church hall, serves breakfast, brunch and lunch every day, and allows dogs. Arlo, on Brentwood Avenue a short walk from West Jesmond Metro, has been a local brunch favourite for years.
Is Jesmond the right area for your group?
Jesmond is the busy, social option, and that suits a lot of student groups. If you’d rather have something different, Sandyford is a little quieter, Heaton is further out and more affordable, and the city centre is the pricier choice for anyone who wants to be next to everything.
If you’re thinking about living in Jesmond next year, our student accommodation page covers registering for new listings early, how holding deposits and guarantors work, and how these areas compare.