The Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a modern pedestrian and cyclist drawbridge and one of the symbols of Newcastle.

The bridge opened in 2021 and the architectural practice WilkinsonEyre has won several awards for its unique architecture.

Amongst locals, the bridge is nicknamed as Blinking Eye Bridge for its eye shape and technology of tilting when a large boat passes by.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

The bridge overlooks the historic Baltic Flour Mill and the modern Glasshouse concert building.

The play of colours after dark

Although Gateshead Millennium Bridge is beautiful in daylight, it stands out most during the night.

The main bridge arch is lit up in many colours, which alternate in different sequences. At one time the bridge is lit up in a rainbow of all colours at once, at another time the colours change at intervals of about 30 seconds.

Millennium Bridge at night

Bridge tilting time

Like the nearby Swing Bridge, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge is built only about 4 metres above the water's surface, so larger ships would not pass underneath.

The bridge does not operate on a 90° rotation like the Swing Bridge, but the whole structure tilts on its horizontal axis.

Because boat traffic is only occasional these days, boats adjust to the exact times the bridge tilts, not the other way around.

The times of tilting vary from year to year, but usually the bridge is always tilted at 12:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and only from May to September.

For the latest information, visit gateshead.gov.uk/Gateshead-Millennium-Bridge-bridges.

Hotels overlooking the bridge

As the bridge after dark is one of the main attractions in Newcastle, many tourists look directly for accommodation with a night-time view of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

The bridge can be seen from some of the rooms in these two hotels: