The ground is slap bang in the centre, and Newcastle is an amazing city. I for one can't wait.

GHF is right.
10 mins from all the bars, pubs and restauraunts.
'The' place is the Bigg Market. Wall to wall entertainment. Makes Bridge St look very tame.
It's a pedestrian area (cobbled street) - very wide and about 200 yeards long with many side streets - and hundreds are there on a weekend evening - make that 1000's over the Magic weekend.
But then there's the Quayside which has a similar atmosphere but more spread out.

I defy anyone not to have a good time there - especially if it's the first visit.

Sound's good, If I'm not working that weekend I will be going.

The bank holiday is on the 25th May when Newcastle are indeed at home on the Sunday 24th (this is also the last weekend of the Premier League season, so all matches are played on this day), but the last weekend in May is the 30th/31st. I'm assuming this is when the Magic weekend will take place. I'm looking forward to going to St James park too.

I cycled through Newcastle doing the C2C. Beautiful City, just hate the accent.

A blend of North Yorkshire and Scottish.

Newcastle will be a great weekend! My birthday is 24th of May so wouldn't be a bad place to go and celebrate. Plus watch up to 6 games of rugby! Canny wait pet.

So, now it's been announced its on the weekend of the 30th-31st. Will most people not be bothering? I'm lucky in which I can book off any date I want. Whereas a lot of my friends can't and as a result now can not go. I expect a lot will be in the same boat. I can see the attendance taking a massive nose dive. Maybe not the Saturday but I'd imagine the Sunday will. Great potential but I can't see it being that successful now.

I hope I'm proved wrong though!

We are going. Great chance to leave the missus at home and go to a new place for a night out !

Ah the paradox - moaning about others moaning

If only Gateshead (remember SL club) had not been shat on way back.

Hotel room costs have all gone up .....


Several now already sold out or with limited room numbers left.

This is the frustrating bit.

I know I'm moaning !!

On the positive side my birthday is 31st !

Soon as it was announced the official announcement would be on Wednesday we booked 3 rooms for the May day bank holiday. The dates could be changed and you don't have to pay until you arrive. Switched them easy this morning and still in pocket for now!

Canny wait man, Ha'way the lads!

I think anyone going with kids would find Whitley Bay a good place to stay . There used to be or still is a fairground there ,Spanish City. It's only a few miles outside Newcastle on the metro.

Just a heads up, but I managed to book Sunderland Central Travelodge for £29 on the Friday and £31 for the Saturday for the magic weekend. Book it whilst you can, Newcastle is 30 minutes on the Metro from Sunderland.

Seen prices of 50quid per person this morning but I been stuck in work and they have rocketed up or sold out. Any advice on what website to use? I've been using booking.com

It is a paradox wrapped in an enigma.

Can't help I'm afraid. I'm having to pay £100 per night for a double room.....
The RL sent me a mail with links to hotels and there was a slight discount I think - but not much.

Metro system is good so you don't need to be in the city centre

It's true, I'd look at Gateshead, Washington or even hotels around Newcastle airport. The Metro is reliable, cheap and every 15 minutes or so.

Maybe they could schedule the Hull derby last on the Sunday and have Wakey v Cas, the match before. That should help with the travel back.

We are booked in the Quayside Premier Inn for two nights. Unfortunately one of my mates is a teacher so we will have to go back Sunday night.

In 2011 the last game in Cardiff kicked off at 1600, hopefully this will be the same.

3 nights at the Vermont in Newcastle centre. £85/night so not too bad.

plenty camp sites in Whitley Bay!!?

It's my birthday too. After initially doubting it, I might as well go now!

The ground is only about 10 mins from the railway station and the metro system is good. it's worth people looking at hotels in Durham City, it's only about 20 mins on the train and Durham is a great place. i would reckon there's a chance that Gateshead Thunder will have a home game on the Friday night. Be nice to give their finances a bit of a boost.