Plan your visit to Newcastle Castle with North East Escapes. Climb the medieval Castle Keep and Black Gate, and find holiday homes near Newcastle. |
Visit Newcastle Castle, The Medieval Fortress That Named a City
Newcastle Castle is the medieval fortress that gave Newcastle Upon Tyne its name, and it stands today as a striking reminder of the city's Norman origins in the very heart of a modern metropolis. Wedged between the railway viaduct and the Tyne riverbank, the Castle Keep and its companion the Black Gate are managed as a visitor attraction that offers both an absorbing exploration of medieval history and some of the finest views across the Tyne and the famous bridges. It is a hidden gem that many Newcastle visitors overlook, and one that repays a few hours' exploration handsomely.
The first castle at Newcastle was built in 1080 by Robert Curthose, eldest son of William the Conqueror, on the site of a Roman fort at the bridging point of the River Tyne. The current stone Castle Keep was built between 1168 and 1178 by Henry II, making it one of the finest examples of Norman military architecture in England. The Black Gate, the castle's principal medieval gatehouse, was added in the thirteenth century under Henry III. The two structures were separated in the Victorian era when the railway was driven through the castle's original inner ward, but both survive and have been carefully conserved as visitor attractions managed by Newcastle City Council.
The Castle Keep is an exceptionally well-preserved Norman great tower, allowing visitors to move through its original spaces including the great hall, chapel, gallery and battlements largely as they were configured in the twelfth century. The exhibitions within tell the story of the castle's Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Norman layers, and the views from the battlements across the Tyne, the seven Tyne bridges and the roofscape of the city are spectacular. The Black Gate houses the Castle Museum, with displays exploring the history of the fortification and the city it spawned. Together the two buildings take around two hours to explore thoroughly.
Newcastle Castle is located at Castle Garth, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1RQ, immediately south of Newcastle Central Station and a short walk from the Quayside. Both the Keep and Black Gate are ticketed and open to visitors throughout the year, with some seasonal variation in hours. The adjacent streets include a range of cafés and restaurants, and the Quayside and Tyne Bridge are just a short walk away. Combining Newcastle Castle with a Quayside walk, a meal and a visit to the BALTIC or Sage Gateshead makes for a very full and rewarding day in Newcastle.
North East Escapes offers a range of holiday homes in and around Newcastle Upon Tyne, perfect for city break visitors wanting to combine Newcastle Castle with the full richness of what the city and Tyne and Wear have to offer. Our Newcastle holiday homes put you within easy reach of the Quayside, the city's outstanding restaurant and bar scene, the Sage Gateshead, BALTIC and the Great North Museum, as well as being an ideal base for day trips to Northumberland, the Durham Heritage Coast and the wider North East region.
