http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php

As is usual with this list Oxbridge are at the top. Newcastle are placed in joint 20th spot alongside glasgow. Our nearby North East neighbours of the 1994 Group, Durham and York are 8th and 9th respectively.

Here is a link to a web page explaining how the tables are calculated:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2235223.ece

League tables are not ideal in my opinion at measuring how Universities perform. However, prospective students and their parents need some form of measure in order to make a comparison. Although if you look at some of the indices used the “older/traditional” universities are heavily favoured. For example look at the Services and Facilities spend, and Research Quality columns.