🇬🇧 Scaling Newcastle's Medieval Castle – Right in the City Centre!

Revisiting after 20 years—climbing to the top of this ancient fortress in the heart of Newcastle! 🏰✨ Did you know? Newcastle has a CASTLE! From the top, gaze over the River Tyne and the East Coast Mainline, feeling the pulse of railways as the lifeblood of industry. 🚂💨 ⚔️ A Fortress Through the Ages Newcastle upon Tyne wasn’t just a medieval trade hub—it was guarded by this very castle, controlling river crossings and fueling the city’s growth for centuries. 🏛️ Two iconic sections: 1️⃣ The Castle Keep (main tower) 2️⃣ The Black Gate (later addition) 🚆 Fun fact: The 23m gap between them is now bridged by the East Coast railway line to Scotland! 🕰️ Layers of History ⚡ Roman roots: Originally Pons Aelius (Emperor Hadrian’s bridge fortress). ⚔️ 1080: Robert Curthose (William the Conqueror’s son) built a wooden motte-and-bailey castle here—giving the city its name ("New Castle"!). 🧱 1172-77: Henry II replaced it with the stone Keep. 🏴 1247-50: Henry III added the Black Gate. 👑 What to See Today Climb the Keep for panoramic city views 🌆 Explore the Black Gate’s dungeons (spooky!) 👻 Walk where Romans & medieval kings stood 🏛️👑 📸 Don’t miss this time capsule in the city center! #UKTravel #Newcastle #CastlesOfInstagram #MedievalHistory #HiddenGems