Yeah, took some pre applicant people on a tour around newcastle uni campus on one of the first sunny days of the year, so obviously I was in a skirt etc, and they were like "aren't you COLD?!", erm, after all that snow? not really - you just get used to it :| Its also one of the driest cities in the uk, which is handy :P
For the record, because northumbria ia a poly I think they try harder than newcastle, who kind of lean back on there russell group position sometimes. I have friends doing the same course as me in northumbria and sometimes I sincerly wish I went there instead.
As for newcastle culture, we have some of the best vintage places, and a whole host of free musums and galleries - turner prize is at the baltic this year, you know (just across the river)?