The Castle Keep

The Castle Keep nudges into Newcastle's post-industrial skyline between the fluttering flags of the Vermont Hotel and the twin-decked High Level Bridge. Standing at the very top of the northern bank of the Tyne, the Keep has survived rebellion, siege, fire, civil war and near decapitation at the hands of the railway, remaining one of the foremost landmarks of the city to which it gave its name. HISTORY The Romans were the first to recognise the strategic importance of the site, building an earth and timber fort called Pons Aelius (Bridge of Aelius, which was Emperor Hadrian’s family name) to guard the bridging point on the river below. The ...  Read the complete review

I’ve eventually reached my fiftieth opinion on dooyoo and a momentous occasion it is for me so I’ve thought for quiet a while about what this special opinion should be about and really feel it should reflect who I am. Well I have a very keen interest in all things historical, I enjoy visiting or re-visiting places of interest or local beauty spots in the area, as those of you who are regular readers of my opinions will have gathered and I adore my home city Newcastle so what better topic to write about than the Castle Keep and City Walls, there historical, local and in Newcastle. Newcastle has always been a river crossing and the Romans ...  Read the complete review

Strange as it may be, it seems many people in Newcastle don't actually realise that the city has a castle. But then, I expect that quite a few of you who have never been to the city are a bit surprised that there is still one as well. When I mentioned to people that I had been to the castle keep, I tended to get blank stares, puzzled looks or suggestions that in fact I meant Alnwick castle - but there is actually the remains of a castle in the heart of the city. To be perfectly honest, I didn't know there was a castle either until we were taken there on a field visit just before Easter. And that is after 6 months of living in the city as a heritage ...  Read the complete review