The Top Ten historical attractions in Newcastle

The strategic location of Newcastle in the north-east of England means that the city has always been important - whether it was the Romans invading, the Anglo Saxons settling, or the Normans invading again.

Newcastle has seen it all, and this incredible history has more than left its mark on the city.  Sitting on top of these ancient beginnings is the 19th-century industrial legacy that gave 'the toon' the identity it has today, all of which is clearly visible through the window that is its living and breathing architecture.

Locals are justifiably proud of their heritage and Carol Bell, head of culture and major events at the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, believes that while the region is renowned for its friendly nature, there is a huge amount to see and do in terms of its culture too.

"The combination of the destination's industrial past and cultural renaissance makes it one of the most exciting city break destinations in the UK," she says.

So if you're on a city break at a Newcastle hostel and want to take in some of the city's most historic attractions, what should be top of your to-do list? Here are our top ten recommendations…

10. The Gosforth Hotel

Something of a Mecca for fans of satirical Geordie comic the Viz, the Gosforth Hotel used to be a live music venue and it was there that Chris Donald sold the first-ever edition of his popular publication for 20p.

A cornerstone of the local punk scene in the late 70s, 'the Gossy' was the perfect place for the Viz to launch and from an initial print run of 150, it went on to sell 1.2 million a week at its peak.

Nowadays, the Victorian pub that sits on the corner of Salters Road and Gosforth High Street – part of the Great North Road that used to run from London to Edinburgh - is a fairly standard pub that rarely hosts gigs, but it does serve a half-decent pint.

9. The vampire rabbit

Hidden behind St Nicholas' Cathedral on Amen Corner, an evil-looking vampire rabbit looks down at passers-by from a window of a grand solicitors' office. Complete with red claws and fangs, the rabbit is a favourite with local children and dates back to when the building was erected in 1901.

Though it is widely known as the vampire rabbit, there is a theory that it may in fact be a hare that was a reference to Sir George Hare Phipson, a doctor at Newcastle's Royal Infirmary. Phipson founded the Masonic Hall in Durham and was a Freemason associate of the building's architect William H Wood, but this is not known for certain.

8. The Literary and Philosophical Society

Just down Collingwood Street from the Cathedral is the Lit & Phil, a phenomenal building with an equally inspiring history.

The society was originally founded in 1793 with early presidents including notable gentleman such as Robert Stephenson, Joseph Swan and Lord Armstrong. A home for the leading thinkers of the time, to this day it still celebrates knowledge and is home to a fantastic library of books, CDs and records.

It regularly hosts events, but is worth a visit just to take in the building's main reading room with its three huge dome-lantern skylights and huge bookselves.

7. The Stephenson Works

While we're on the subject of Robert Stephenson (not to be confused with Robert Louis Stephenson of Treasure Island fame), the Stephenson Works on Forth Banks behind the city's Central Station is well worth visiting if you can find it open.

The vast factory space was established by Stephenson in 1823 when he was aged just 19, and it was here - inspired by his father George's inventions - that he built the famous Locomotion and Rocket steam locomotive engines that helped power the industrial revolution.

Nowadays the Stephenson Works is used primarily as an event space and only opens for special events but it is a cornerstone of the city's festival line-up and features heavily in both the Eat Festival and Juice Festival.

6. Morden Tower

Dating back more than 800 years, Morden Tower is a turret on Newcastle's town wall that was constructed in 1280 and is the only one remaining from the 15 that would once have stood protecting citizens from invasion.

Since the fall of the city walls, the turret has gone through a number of uses and it was 'modernised' in 1620. In the 1960s it became a poetry venue and has hosted readings from the likes of Ted Hughes, but today it is usually found under lock and key with little funding to keep it open.

It can still be visited however, and is just a short walk from Newcastle United's St James' Park Sports Direct Arena on St Andrew's Street.

5. Bessie Surtees House

Down on the city's Quayside overlooking the River Tyne is Bessie Surtees house, one of the oldest examples of residential architecture still standing in Newcastle.

Found at 41-44 Sandhill in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge, the house comprises two five-storey merchants' homes that were constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries and became famous as the place where Ms Surtees absconded with her lover John Scott, who later went on to become the Lord Chancellor of England.

A stunning example of Jacobean architecture, the property is also home to the regional office of English Heritage. It is open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday and entrance is free.

4. Swing Bridge

Ok, so the Tyne Bridge is the obvious choice if we're naming a bridge, but the Swing Bridge arguably has more historical merit - even though it wasn't copied at Sydney Harbour - as it was built 50 years earlier.

Having been commissioned in 1861, construction of the Swing Bridge began in 1873. Literally swinging open to allow boats to pass up and down the river, it was opened in 1876 and by 1981 it had opened a staggering 286,281 times. These days it opens around four times per week.

It is actually built on the site of three previous bridges, the first of which was a wooden construction called Pons Aelii that was built in 120 AD under the instruction of Emperor Hadrian. It doesn't get much more historic than that!

3. Tynemouth Priory

Twenty minutes away from Newcastle on the Metro is Tynemouth, complete with its spectacular Priory and Castle.

Standing atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea, the fortified site complete with a ruined seventh century priory tells some spectacular stories about the early years of Anglo-Saxon settlement in England.

More recently, the site was used as a Second World War coastal defence site and the artillery canons are still on display.

It is run by English Heritage and is open seven days a week, from 10am until 5pm. Entrance is £4.60 for adults, £4.10 for concessions and £2.80 for children.

2. Victoria Tunnel

From an inauspicious doorway in the heart of Newcastle's Ouseburn valley is one of the city's most miraculous feats of engineering – the Victoria Tunnel.

The old underground waggonway was built in 1842 and were originally used to move coal from collieries in the West End of the city more than two miles down to ships on the Tyne. During the Second World War its narrow passageway was converted into a community air-raid shelter, with residents gaining entrance from the numerous access points along the route.

Today, around 700m of the tunnel have been restored by the City Council and regular tours take place. Visit the Newcastle Community Heritage Project website to book one.

1. The Castle Keep

This list could hardly be complete without the castle from which Newcastle takes its name, could it? At number one is the Castle Keep, the 12th-century fort that Henry II began building in 1168.

Henry build his castle on the site of the original New Castle upon Tyne, a wooden motte and bailey that was built by William the Conqueror's son Robert Cuthouse a century earlier.

The construction took a century to complete and cost £1,144 along with its gatehouse and curtain wall. The castle was then added to by King John at the start of the 13th century, with further extensions made later by Henry III.

By the late 16th century it was falling into disrepair and was taken out of service, but the castle stands as a monument to Newcastle's epic history and no stay in the city should be complete without a trip there. If that isn't enough, climbing to the top offers one of the best views of the city available.

 

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