Newcastle Information

Newcastle began when the Romans built the first bridge, called Pons Aelius, over the River Tyne. It was guarded by a fort on Hadrian's Wall. The Normans then built another, wooden fort, and the first ‘New Castle' (which gave the city it's name) was built in 1080 by William the Conqueror's son, Robert Curthose. In 1172-77 it was rebuilt in stone, and is one of the finest examples of Norman military architecture. The Black Gate dates from 1247, and the Town Walls were built during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Strongly guarded as it was, Newcastle developed into an important trading community during medieval times. By the Elizabethan era, coal was being brought up the river Tyne in small ships, called ‘keels', from the nearby coal fields (hence the saying, ‘coals to Newcastle'), then exported, bringing lots of money into the city. Other trades and industries developed from the late 17th century, particularly shipbuilding – at one time a quarter of all the world's ships were built in the area. By the 19th century the city was a centre for all sorts of industries, including locomotive building by the famous Stephenson family. Some great 19th and 20th century architecture characterizes much of the city centre.

There's much to occupy today's visitor, in addition to the great shopping (there are three large shopping centres). Nightlife is excellent, and there are many clubs, theatres, restaurants and pubs.
There is the famous Tyne Bridge, built in 1925-28 and the largest single span bridge in the world. The High Bridge was the first to combine a road and a railway. The Gateshead Millenium Bridge is unique in that it turns, rather than lifts, when a ship wants to pass. And the Swing Bridge was the first hydraulic powered bridge and stands on the line of the original Roman bridge.

Visit the Castle Keep, which was built by Henry II in 1168-78 on the site of the New Castle. Bessie Surtees' House is a charming Jacobean house, and you will see the window from which , on November 18th 1772, according to a plaque, ‘Bessie Surtees descended and eloped with John Scott later created 1st Earl of Eldon and Lord Chancellor of England'.
Other attractions include Earl Grey's Monument and St Nicholas' Cathedral. The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is located in a former grain warehouse, and houses various art exhibitions. The Biscuit Factory sells a wonderful range of art. And Laing Art Gallery has works by pre-Raphaelite artists, and recent ones including L S Lowry.

If you're interested in football then you can visit the home of Newcastle United FC at St James's Park. Travel a short way out of the city to see Hadrian's Wall. And don't miss the statue of the Angel of the North, which is an awe-inspiring monument which towers 20 metres high and has a wingspan of 53 metres, and welcomes visitors to Tyneside.

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