Newcastle Gloucester Train

Newcastle upon Tyne, often referred to as just Newcastle, is a city located in the metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear in the north east of England. Newcastle lies on the north bank of the River Tyne and is roughly 9 miles from the North Sea coast. The development of the seaport in the 16th century contributed to Newcastle's growth along with the shipyards that were located lower down the river towards the coast. At one time Newcastle was amongst the world's largest ship building and ship repairing centres. Modern day Newcastle's economy includes hosting many corporate headquarters, education, digital technologies, retail, tourism and other cultural centres.

Newcastle is world famous for a number of iconic brands: Newcastle Brown Ale, a brand of beer, Newcastle United Football Club, a Premier League football team and the Tyne Bridge. It is also home to the most popular half marathon, the Great North Run.

Newcastle's thriving Chinatown lies in the north-west of Grainger Town, centered on Stowell Street. A new Chinese arch, or paifang, providing a landmark entrance, was handed over to the city with a ceremony in 2005.

The UK's first biotechnology village, the "Centre for Life" is located in the city centre close to Newcastle Central railway station. The village is the first step in the City Council's plans to transform Newcastle into a science city.

The city of Gloucester is located in the county of Gloucestershire and lies close to the border with Wales. The city, which also lies on the River Severn, has a rich past dating back to Roman times. At the heart of the city, and standing in College Green, is the Norman cathedral with its breathtaking fan-vaulted cloisters and great east window. From the cathedral it is only a short walk down narrow cobbled streets, past historical buildings, to the main shopping area in the city. From there it is, once again, a short walk to the Victorian Docks with its now converted warehouses. In the docks you are likely to see all manner of vessels from narrow boats to sea going ships. The city is also an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding area and take in the splendour of the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. The Cotswolds is an area of rolling hills which rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment, known as the Cotswold Edge, above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. The Forest of Dean is an area of mixed ancient woodland and forms a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.