Tynemouth Castle and Priory

Viewed from the Spanish Battery car park near to finish of the C2C

The prominent headland at the entrance to the Tyne estuary has for centuries been strategically important. We can judge this by the fact that it has been home to a priory, a castle and a series of modern fortifications.

The priory was once one of the richest in all England, with a presbyter 22 metres high, whose soaring arches still impress. At the east end of the church you can see the Percy Chantry with its wonderful interlaced rib-vault design.

In more modern times, 20 gun batteries controlled Tynemouth and the entrance to the River Tyne. These were crucial in protecting the shipbuilding and armaments industries of the north-east. A replica 6" gun and mounting can be found within the castle.

Spanish Battery

Built 1545 by Henry VIII as part of the curtain wall of Tynemouth Castle - with the gun battery manned by Spanish Mercenaries - hence the name. The original walls were demolished over the years and now only the tops of concrete 20th century gun emplacements can now be seen - the area is now a grassy mound and car park !!

Signs at the end of the C2C cycle route
and the start of the
NCN 1 - Coast & Castle to Edinburgh and
NCN 72 - Hadrian's Cycleway to Cumbria.