Jason,
The transition level is actually FL30 in some parts of the UK, and FL60 in others (e.g. around London), just to really confuse you!
But, if you're flying VFR, you don't need to set 1013, you can just use QNH. I've only ever set it once, and that was flying cross-channel at FL55.
As for penetrating Newcastle's zone, I would imagine (but I don't know for sure) that they'd clear you either at a given altitude (in which case they'd give you a QNH to use) or at a given flight level (in which case you'd set 1013).
I'm sure you'll enjoy flying in the UK. We're not quite as aviation-friendly as the US, but there's some beautiful scenery around, which is quite different to the (also beautiful) scenery you'd find in most parts of the US.
FFF
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