Castles in Tyne and Wear facts for kids
Tyne and Wear is a county in North East England. It is home to four amazing castles! These old buildings each have a unique story. They were built for different reasons, like protecting the land or showing power.
Each of these four castles is a "scheduled monument." This means they are very important historical sites. They are protected by law to make sure they are not damaged.
Castles were not just for fighting wars. They also showed who was in charge of an area. They were a sign of how important someone was. Some castles even became busy places for trade and managing the surrounding land. The oldest castle in Tyne and Wear is Tynemouth Castle.
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Castles in Tyne and Wear
Castles come in many shapes and sizes. The four castles in Tyne and Wear are all different. One is a gatehouse, which is a strong building over a gate. Another is a keep, which is the main tower of a castle. There is also an enclosure castle, which is a walled area. Finally, one is an artillery fort, designed to use cannons.
What is a Castle For?
Castles were very important in the past. They were built for several reasons:
- Protection: Castles offered a safe place during attacks. Their thick walls and towers made them hard to capture.
- Power: Owning a castle showed how powerful and wealthy a lord was. It helped them control the land and people around them.
- Trade and Management: Many castles were also centers for buying and selling goods. They were places where the local area was managed.
Protecting Our History
All four castles in Tyne and Wear are "scheduled monuments." This is a special title given to important historical sites. It means they are protected by law. No one can make big changes to them without permission. This helps to preserve them for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
Meet the Castles!
Here are the four amazing castles you can find in Tyne and Wear:
Hylton Castle
Hylton Castle is located in North Hylton, Sunderland. It was built between the 1390s and early 1400s. This castle is known as a gatehouse. This means it was mainly a strong building over the main entrance to a larger area. It was designed to control who came in and out. Hylton Castle is a scheduled monument.
- Location: North Hylton, Sunderland
- Type: Gatehouse
- Built: 1390s–1400s
Newcastle Castle Keep
Newcastle Castle Keep is in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was built between 1168 and 1178. A keep is the strongest and most important tower in a castle. It was often where the lord lived and where the last stand would be made during an attack. Newcastle Castle Keep is also a scheduled monument.
- Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
- Type: Keep
- Built: 1168–1178
Ravensworth Castle
Ravensworth Castle can be found in Lamesley, Gateshead. It was built in the 14th century, or possibly even earlier. This castle is an enclosure type. This means it mainly consists of strong walls that enclose a large area. Ravensworth Castle is a scheduled monument.
- Location: Lamesley, Gateshead
- Type: Enclosure
- Built: 14th century (or earlier)
Tynemouth Castle
Tynemouth Castle is located in North Shields, Tynemouth. It is the oldest castle in Tyne and Wear, built in 1095. This castle is an artillery fort. This type of fort was designed to use cannons and other powerful weapons. It was built to defend the coast. Tynemouth Castle is also a scheduled monument.
- Location: North Shields, Tynemouth
- Type: Artillery fort
- Built: 1095
