Trip out to see Newcastle castle!

Today was going to be a great day! Last night, Daddy and I decided to go and see the castle in Newcastle. A real life castle! Daddy picked me up from Stage School and we headed straight for the Metro to catch the train to Newcastle. On the journey I explained that in the very olden days they used to make castles from wood but later they made them from bricks because that was stronger. Daddy confirmed this was also true of the Newcastle castle.

Ahh, so that's how Newcastle got its name! In 1080 they built a New Castle!

When we arrived, Daddy had a little surprise for me. We walked into Central Station and towards the ticket office. I was a little confused but then Daddy asked me to turn round, and there it was! The castle!

We then walked the short journey round the corner towards the castle. I couldn't wait to get there and see it! When we walked round the corner I wasn't disappointed. It looked AMAZING!!

First we went to Black Gate which was the old gate house for the castle. We made arrangements to go inside the castle. First we looked around the display of old bit & pieces they've found in the ground around the castle over the years; old belt buckles, Roman coins, arrow heads and even some of the rubbish people would throw in the moat when the castle was no longer used for defending the city.

We walked around the various rooms in the castle, often getting lost along the way (!) and we marvelled at the sleeping chambers, the chapel and the great hall. We made our way to the spiral staircase and made our way up... It was a long way: 99 steps in total. Along the way we saw some arrow slit windows that the knights used to fire arrows from as well as some rooms that were used as prisons. One even had a toilet in so it must have been for someone important.

We finally made it to the top and on to the roof! What a view! I didn't realise at first how high up we were but from where we stood all the cars, trains and especially the people, looked tiny all the way down there! 

A fantastic day out, great school research, & a must-see if you're ever visiting Newcastle! x