We all love Newcastle, whether it’s because of its friendly people, its multitude of shops, or its all-too tempting nightlight. But there’s a lot more to the jewel in the North East’s crown than meets the eye.
The city of Newcastle boasts a rich and fascinating history, which is evident in the iconic monuments many of us walk past every day.
To celebrate all things Toon, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the city’s most well-loved landmarks, uncovering the history that made them a vital part of Newcastle today.
Newcastle Castle
We can’t talk about Newcastle without talking about the, well, old castle. This medieval fortress gave the city its name, after all, and was used for defensive purposes back in Roman Times, when it had both a fort and a settlement.
The eldest son of William the Conqueror, Robert Curthose, built a castle on the site of the Roman fort back in 1080, after returning from a campaign against Malcolm III of Scotland (the same kind featured in Shakespeare’s Macbeth).
Curthose dubbed the castle the ‘New Castle upon Tyne’. And the rest is history.
The Monument
Grey’s Monument, often referred to by locals as simply ‘The Monument’, stands tall in the city centre, overlooking the main hub of shoppers and pub-goers. If you’ve never craned your neck upwards when stepping out of Monument metro station, you may not have noticed the stone man standing at the Monument’s peak.
This is Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. His monument was built in 1838, celebrating the passing of the Great Reform Act, one of Grey’s most important legislative achievements which increased the number of those eligible to vote.
And yes, the nearby pub is also named after the man himself!
Tyne Bridge
For many people, the iconic green arc of the Tyne Bridge is the defining image of Newcastle, and the North East in general. Locals and visitors alike flock to the Quayside to see the bridge in all its glory, while thousands of cars pass over it every day.
And the bridge has been part of the North East for a good long while, now fast approaching its 100th birthday. The bridge was officially opened by King George V on 10th October 1928, and was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson, who also designed Scotland’s Forth Road Bridge.
Millenium Bridge
From one iconic bridge to another, the Gateshead Millenium Bridge is not to be confused with its London counterpart with a similar name. It was the first tilting bridge to ever be constructed, earning it nicknames like the Blinking Eye Bridge and the Winking Eye Bridge.
Connecting the Quayside to Gateshead’s Baltic Flour Mill art museum and gallery, the Gateshead Millenium Bridge officially opened back in 2001, and has gone on to win multiple awards.
There are endless sites and secrets to uncover in Newcastle’s busy streets, and in the wider North East!
The North East Way 
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