Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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The Newcastle Keep.

Posted by Stan Wears on 25/3/2026, 9:44 pm

It was a good place to go train spotting! In those s days it was 6d to go in! However, that is what started me studying Newcastle. The first one was built near Collingwood St by Robert Curthose, eldest son of William I. Curthose got his name from his short legs, Curt being curtailed and Hose meaning legs. The one standing was built for Henry II but he never once came to see it. No one ever lived in it because the chapel is in the dungeon and spirits were allowed to rise! Well John Dobson poked his nose in yet again and added the battlements! Over the centuries it has been used as a gaol, a rooftop garden, a brewery and a storeroom. Well worth a visit if you don't mind climbing the 23 - 25 stone steps to get in ! They even threw a donkey off the top as they wanted to see if it could fly having big ear. It landed killing 2 spectators.

Re: The Newcastle Keep.

Posted by Brian on 26/3/2026, 10:14 am, in reply to "The Newcastle Keep."

It was nearly demolished in the 19th century as the railway company didn't want to build a curve and a much simpler option would be to flatten the castle keep Thankfully the city council dug their heels in when so many councils around the country allowed the railway companies to flatten a considerable number of medieval buildings. The Victorian attitude to historic buildings was at times horrendous.

Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago.

Posted by Norman Dunn on 26/3/2026, 12:57 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep."

A view of the Castle Keep 100 years ago.

Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago.

Posted by Stan Wears on 26/3/2026, 6:59 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago."

This keep was built in 1172 and was deigned by a French man called Maurice who also deigned the Ficket tower at Dover Castle. Clever design, as it was built to transport water from the well room to the lower dungeon! The well itself is 90 ft deep and contains about 45 ft of water. The keep measures about 75 x 78 feet and stands on a 9 course chamfered stone plinth to stop the enemy from tunnelling in ! Well worth a look ! Your ticket will also allow you into the Black Gate, built 1247 which also has a history of its own such a what it has been used for!

Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago.

Posted by Stan Wears on 26/3/2026, 8:20 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago."

Thanks Norman! Great photo !

Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago.

Posted by George on 26/3/2026, 8:58 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep photo from 100 yrs ago."

What a great creepy picture of the castle.

Re: The Newcastle Keep. (Brian )

Posted by Stan Wears on 26/3/2026, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep."

Thanks Brian! Hope you have recovered. Maybe one day it would be nice to come up and have a tour around the "town"!

Re: The Newcastle Keep. (Brian )

Posted by Brian on 26/3/2026, 11:19 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep. (Brian )"

Thanks Stan. It's took longer than I was originally told but its improving every day and it looks it's saved my eyesight in that eye. We should do a virtual tour from photographs for the forum.

Re: The Newcastle Keep. (Brian )

Posted by Stan Wears on 27/3/2026, 5:28 pm, in reply to "Re: The Newcastle Keep. (Brian )"

Great idea Brian!!

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