The Quayside is the area on both sides of the Tyne from the High Level Bridge down to the Ouseburn River which flows into the Tyne downstream. It includes part of Gateshead on the opposite bank where the Sage and Baltic Centres are located and provides a pleasant area in which to stroll and take in some architectural and engineering masterpieces.

For many hundreds of years the Quayside was the economic hub of the city as it was from here that the coal produced by the many mines in the area exported their valuable produce. Much of the coal which powered the Industrial Revolution was dug out of pits in the region and it is not surprising that this combustible black rock was known as 'Old King Coal'.

Ships were loaded with coal by Keelmen who used shallow draughted vessels, or Keels, to take the coal to large colliers which transported the material to London and other centres of population. Following the reduction of this trade the Quayside went into long term decline but during the late twentieth century there was a re-birth with much rebuilding culminating in the landmarks of the Millennium Bridge and Sage Music Centre.