Central Arcade

About Central Arcade

Central Arcade was built in 1906 by Oswald and Son of Newcastle inside the gutted shell of Richard Grainger's Central Exchange, after a fire destroyed the earlier interior in 1901. It is Grade II* listed, and the reason to walk through it is the surface: the walls and upper elevations are clad in dark brown and gold faience by Burmantofts of Leeds, one of the most complete surviving interiors of its kind in the country. The original 1906 glass mosaic floor by Rust's Vitreous Mosaics of Battersea wore out and was replaced to a similar design in the 1990s.

It is a pass-through rather than a destination, taking five minutes at a walk, and it links Grainger Street to Grey Street directly beneath the curve of the Monument. Do note that the arcade's best-known occupant, the music shop J. G. Windows, closed in November 2024 after 116 years, so a great many older guides send visitors in for something that is no longer there. Go for the architecture. Monument Metro is directly outside.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Central Arcade.

Christmas Lights Switch-On in Newcastle 2026

Newcastle switches on its Christmas lights on Thursday 12 November 2026 at Grey's Monument. It is free with no tickets, a week before the Christmas Market opens. Here is where to stand, how to get there and what is still to be announced.

The Best Independent Shops in Newcastle City Centre

A guide to the independent retailers that give Newcastle city centre its character, from Grainger Market traders and record shops to delis, jewellers, florists and family butchers.

A History of Newcastle's High Street

How Newcastle's principal shopping streets grew from a Georgian turnpike into Grainger Town's grand terraces, and how the retail heart shifted over two centuries.

The Best Photography Spots in Newcastle City Centre

A practical guide to the best places to take photos in Newcastle city centre, from the Tyne bridges and Quayside to Grainger Town, rooftop viewpoints, the Ouseburn and golden-hour timing.

Interesting Facts About Newcastle

The castle that named the city, the first public room lit by electric light, a fair larger than Central Park and a vampire rabbit above a cathedral door: verified facts about Newcastle upon Tyne.

A Weekend in Newcastle City Centre: A 48-Hour Itinerary

How to spend a relaxed weekend in the middle of Newcastle, from Friday-night drinks on Grey Street to the Quayside bridges, city museums and a slow Sunday by the river.

Rainy Day: Indoor Things to Do in Newcastle City Centre

A round-up of the best indoor attractions in Newcastle city centre for a wet day, from four free museums and galleries to bowling, crazy golf and the shops. Plenty to do without a coat.

Things to Do in Newcastle City Centre

A complete guide to the city centre: how it fits together, what to do with two hours or a full day, and where to go for museums, the Quayside, food, shopping, children, sport and the seasonal calendar.

Free Things to Do in Newcastle City Centre

Newcastle has four free museums and galleries, a Grade I listed covered market, two miles of medieval town wall, a thousand acres of common land and a free organ recital every Monday. Here is what genuinely costs nothing, and what used to be free but is not any more.

Christmas Markets in Newcastle City Centre

The 2026 market runs from 19 November to 23 December across Grey Street, Grainger Street and the Monument, with a Christmas Village on Old Eldon Square and the lights going on a week before it opens.