Tynemouth Castle & Priory, Tyne and Wear

Tynemouth Castle is located on a rocky headland where the moated castle-towers, gatehouse and keep are combined with the ruins of the Benedictine priory, founded in the 7th century.

There are 3 kings buried there: Oswin, king of Deira, in 651, who became St Oswin. Osred in 782 and Malcolm III, king of Scotland in 1093.

In the 9th century the priory was regularly plundered by the Danes until they eventually destroyed it in 865 the Danes destroyed the church and monastery. At the same time, the nuns of St Hilda, who had come there for safety, were massacred.

Earl Tostig made Tynemouth his fortress during the reign of Edward the Confessor. In 1090 Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland re-founded Tynemouth Priory and monks were sent from St Albans in 1090 to colonise the new monastery.

In 1093 Malcolm III of Scotland invaded England and was killed at Alnwick by Robert de Mowbray. In 1095 Robert de Mowbray took refuge in Tynemouth Castle after rebelling against William II, who besieged the castle and captured it after 2 months. Mowbray escaped to Bamburgh Castle but was later imprisoned for life for treason.

In 1538 the monastery of Tynemouth was disbanded by Robert Blakeney, the last prior of Tynemouth. The priory and its attached lands were taken over by King Henry VIII who granted them to Sir Thomas Hilton. The monastic buildings were dismantled leaving only the church and the Prior's house. The castle, however, remained in royal hands.

The church remained in use as a parish church until 1668. The ruins of the church can still be seen.

In 1775 a lighthouse was erected on the headland, within the castle walls, as a guide to ships entering the River Tyne. The lighthouse remained in operation until 1895, when it was replaced by St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay. It was subsequently demolished in 1898.

At the end of the 19th century the castle was used as a barracks. The castle played a role during World War II when it was used as a coastal defence installation covering the mouth of the river Tyne. It is now managed by English Heritage and the restored sections of the coastal defence emplacements are open to the public. These include a guardroom and the main armoury, where visitors can see how munitions were safely handled and protected.

Opening Times

Opening Days and times vary. Please check the website.

Visit website for more information

Ticket Prices

Adults: £4.50
Children: £2.70
Concessions: £4.10
EH Member: Free
Family Ticket: £11.70

Visit website for more information

Disabled Facilities

Access to castle gatehouse and grounds: Most parts accessed on firm, level path; gun battery access is limited due to steep steps. More steps inside.Access to priory: 40m of smooth grass; wheelchair pusher advised.Shop: Level access.

Visit website for more information

More Information

Telephone: 0191 257 1090

Visit website for more information