The Biscuit Factory Art Gallery

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If you enjoy perusing beautiful, affordable, original art in a fantastic space, then The Biscuit Factory is the place to go.

As its name suggests, this is a former biscuit factory, built in 1870, which now houses one of the UK's largest commercial art, craft and design galleries.

The split-level space connected by a wood and steel staircase that is a masterpiece itself, showcases paintings and prints, sculpture, glass ware, jewellery and gifts from more than 200 artists, all of which are available for purchase. The exhibition changes every quarter and the winter season show is usually the largest.

The red-brick walls and large, factory windows that define the gallery's historic character are complemented by white floor to ceiling panel walls and podiums, providing the perfect backdrop to the artworks on display. Downstairs a huge glass display case separates the gallery from Artisan, the restaurant associated with the gallery.

Artisan serves British inspired cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients at lunchtime, early evening between 5pm and 7.30pm and in the evening. Prices vary from £12.50 for a set lunch menu of two courses, to a la carte dinner mains from between £15 and £25.

If you are feeling in need of some lighter refreshment after looking at all the exhibits, The Factory Kitchen upstairs serves filled paninis, salads, cakes, coffees, teas, smoothies and speciality cafetieres such as Indonesian Old Brown Java. We had a pot of tea each and a piece of cake for £10.

Five minutes' walk from Manors Metro station in Newcastle and open seven days a week, The Biscuit Factory is a great place to buy presents or to treat yourself to a piece of contemporary art. If you are driving, the gallery is about four miles east of the A1 via the A167 and then the A1058, and there is a small car park outside.

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#art -and-craft-centres
#craft
#exhibitions
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