Yesterday I was out with my family and despite having lived in the Newcastle upon Tyne area for over 40 years, I had never visited Newcastle keep...this changed as my Great Niece was interested in castles!
I took some pictures, I hope they give you some idea of the layout!
As we approached we were directed through the Barbican (a fortified gateway, such as at an outer defense perimeter of a city or castle, or any tower situated over a gate or bridge which was used for defensive purposes.)
This one was known as the 'Black Gate'.
Our aim was to visit the keep beyond the curtain wall.
Only fragments of the main castle remain, sadly.
View from behind the 'Black Gate'
One rebuilt building now contains a shop and little museum.
English Civil War items (Newcastle was
besieged and captured in 1644)
Some medieval pots found in the midden (refuse heap)
Some nails, dice etc (Note the Crossbow and Longbow arrow heads at the bottom)
Some Roman pottery fragments, pins and needles. (Yes, the site of the castle was a Roman coastal fort first)
Some Roman coins, and small domestic items.
After this, we moved over a walkway into the base of the keep...
...where they had a nice map of medieval Northumberland.
A poster showing how the castle looked in its heyday.
An armoured manikin, looking for all the world like I imagine Skeleton warriors to look!
A poster about sieges, using the attack on Newcastle by the Scottish king in 1402 ( there were many others!)
Nice picture! from the Maciejowski Bible.
So off for a look around (the sign said down to the cellar and chapel, up for the great hall and roof - I doubt the medievals needed such signs!)
Down we went...
...until eventually we found...
A sign showing the 'Royal Chapel' wasn't always used just for Religious reasons!
My Niece trying out the stocks.
Up the stairs again...
...a little tableau with a child proof(!!!) barrier!
We turned right and entered the Great Hall.
There were several huge wall banners, this one is the Percies.
Around the Great Hall, another chapel.
Round the corner an arrow slit...
and further down the corridor...
...ooo look, another arrow slit!
We moved up the stairs looking back into the Great hall.
A nice window overlooking the rail line to Scotland.
Further up we found...
Well, well, A well!
Another arrow slit enclosure. Oddly, the sign says if a Roman looked out of this window, he would see a bridge over the Tyne!
Further up we came to a dead end...
Appropriately called...
Doubling back we found the stair to the roof, this view looks towards the mouth of the River Tyne, and includes the Tyne Bridge and the Millennium tilting bridge beyond.
Looking south towards Gateshead.
The Rail bridge to the South.
North to St Nicholas's church...we then went higher into the tower on the right.
Newcastle Central Station
The blue bridge is for the Metro (a tram system we have)
Boring warehouses!
...and the archetypical view north into Newcastle.
And finally, a twisted lump of metal turned out to be...
..An archer!
We enjoyed our trip here, it is a fun little 'Dungeon' to get lost in!
I hope you enjoyed the tour!
