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| Newcastle, Siege and Civil War, 1644 |
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The Castle KeepThe keep dominated the castle baily. It housed, on the ground floor, a great vaulted storeroom and a fine late Norman chapel and on the first and second floors two suites of accomodation. Each had a hall, or public rooms, a solar, or private room, and latrines. Access between floors was by the great spiral stairs in the eastern angles, and from outside by an external stair to the second floor. On the same floor was a well, nearly 100 feet deep. The keep has been restored and altered several times since 1800. The most obvious restorations are the battlements and flat roof of the early 19th century and the new stonework on the south and west faces of the 1970's
The Black GateThis gatehouse, named after a 17th century tenant called Patrick Black, was built out from the earlier north gate across the castle ditch. It was the most up-to-date of its type, being protected with turning bridge, portcullis, gates and guardrooms in its half drum towers. Like the keep it underwent a number of alterations after the Middle Ages, principally in the 17th century, when the upper storeys were built or rebuilt, and in 1883 when it was restored from a state of dereliction.
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The Curtain Wall and Postern GatesTwo stretches of the curtain wall of the castle still exist. A piece, newly excavated and repointed, can be seen running from the north gate to the railway viaduct. With part of the East Postern, it continues under the viaduct. At the other end of the castle the South Postern and a long stretch of curtain wall stand between the Moot Hall and the Bridge Hotel. By the 17th century the castle had long been derelict. The keep was ruinous and the ditch had become the town's midden, and full of the sort of rubbish which excites archaeologists - pottery, including highly decorated pieces from the Rhineland, the Low Countries and France, glass, textiles and leather. The castle was briefly refortified at the time of the Civil War, and a stone-lined pit beneath the wooden bridge at the rear of the Black Gate dates from this period. Hereafter Castle Garth slowly became densely covered with dwellings and shops. Its clearance only began in the 1840's with the construction of the railway. A glance under the viaduct will show how the arches were doubled in width in the 1880's. |
Opening Times
Tuesday to Sunday,
(April - Sept) 09.30am to 5.30pm
(October - Mach) 09.30am to 4.30pm
Further information about the castle is available from
The Society of Antiquities,
Castle Keep
Castle Garth
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 1RQ
Tel. (0191) 232 7938