Mobile ticket
Explore the site of the Castle that gave the city its name and discover its medieval gatehouse, the Black Gate. Uncover the changing face of the Castle through the ages: from royal fortress and border stronghold to grim dungeon and teeming slum. New exhibits allow visitors to experience what life would have been like for inhabitants in these two astonishingly preserved medieval buildings.
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The Castle consists of two buildings: the Castle Keep and Black Gate. While the Black Gate is fully accessible, the Castle Keep has many steep stairs and uneven surfaces.
Dogs, with the exception of guide dogs, are not permitted entry. Buggies can be parked in the reception of the Castle Keep.
The Castle Keep is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with several upper storeys which are not accessible to disabled visitors. However, there is an audio-video walk-through of the Castle Keep in the Gaol, the only fully accessible room in the Castle Keep. The Black Gate, however, has been fitted with ramps and an external lift. This allows access to the upper-levels of the building, including the shop. The building also has an adapted accessible toilet on its first floor.
Steep uneven stairs that you should be aware of.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Annual Admission to Newcastle Castle from the day specified + 364 days
Food and drinks, unless specified
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Newcastle Castle
Newcastle’s most historic buildings, the Castle Keep and its 13th century gatehouse the Black Gate, were once part of a much larger fortress. Given its tumultuous history, it is miraculous that so much of Newcastle’s castle has survived intact. Today you can explore the ancient passageways and chambers where Kings walked and villains were imprisoned. Find the marks left by the inhabitants through the ages and learn the fascinating story of the Castle Garth community which grew up around the ruins. The two buildings that remain were cut off from each other by the Victorian railways of the 19th century - an unfortunate side effect of the North East's trailblazing role in the Industrial Revolution. Exhibits guide visitors through the Castle's history over the years: from settlement in Roman times, to medieval stronghold, use as a modern day museum and everything in between. Simply purchase your ticket from the Castle's all-new Black Gate reception to begin your journey.
111 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Frank V,
Jan 13, 2025
- Viator
We have been there the weekend before Christmas and our son (8 years) really enjoyed the nice explanation about the weaponry in the Castle. The guy that did the tour had great knowledge and made it a wonderfull experience from our end. Many thanks!
Ray D,
Oct 30, 2024
- Viator
The most memorable part of the experience was climbing to the top of the castle keep. The views over Newcastle City and the River Tyne were worth the climb
Maryam F,
Apr 10, 2024
- Viator
It was a fantastic experience. The castle was very fabulous and the staff provided great service. Overall it was very good.
Ian W,
Oct 15, 2023
- Viator
Attempting to view the historic NEWCASTLE keep and castle without a guide , was one of the most unprofessional experiences I have had.
Lisa T,
Jun 5, 2023
- Viator
Really enjoyed our visit to Newcastle Castle. Staff were friendly and we loved learning about the history of the castle and the surrounding area. We were very fortunate that there was a barber surgeon re-enactor in the Great Hall on the day we visited and loved listening to all the gory stories and learning about their role in medieval history. The views from the top of the keep are well worth the effort. We’ll definitely visit again when we are in Newcastle. It represents excellent value for money as you can visit as many times as you want during a year with your annual ticket. If you love history, you’ll love Newcastle Castle!
Operated by Newcastle Castle