Tynemouth Priory and Castle

Tynemouth Priory and Castle Tynemouth Castle and Priory Tynemouth Castle and Priory on the coast of North East England was once one of the largest fortified areas in England.
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Overlooking the North Sea and the River Tyne, it dominates the headland. With its 2000 year history and beautiful views it is the perfect location for a family fun day out. The interactive 'Life in the Stronghold' exhibition takes you on an exciting journey. It tells the story of the site from its original beginnings as an Anglo-Saxon settlement, an Anglican monastery, a royal castle, artillery fo

rt and a coastal defence. The newly refurbished battery gun was designed to defend the Tyne in the First and Second World Wars and can be explored. This page is for visitors and fans of Tynemouth Priory and Castle to share photos, thoughts and recommendations. If you have any questions about Tynemouth Priory and Castle or English Heritage please email [email protected] or 'like' us at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/English-Heritage/173240995747 and post your question there, where we will be happy to get back to you as soon as we can.

This weekend, North Tyneside Council’s Tynemouth Food Festival returns to the spectacular setting of Tynemouth Priory & ...
02/09/2026

This weekend, North Tyneside Council’s Tynemouth Food Festival returns to the spectacular setting of Tynemouth Priory & Castle! 🎉

Join us on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September for a fantastic weekend of delicious street food, live music, artisan market traders, children’s activities and more – all set against our stunning coastal backdrop.

🎟️ This is a ticketed event, with tickets priced at £5 for adults and FREE for under 15s.

Find out more and book your tickets here: https://www.visitnorthtyneside.com/events/event/tynemouth-food-festival/

See below for September’s volunteer-led tours! Our tours are free with standard admission and are a great way to discove...
31/08/2026

See below for September’s volunteer-led tours!

Our tours are free with standard admission and are a great way to discover more about the history of the site ☺️

Behind the scenes at Tynemouth Priory & CastleThe Percy Chantry is one of the site's hidden gems. Built in the late 15th...
29/08/2026

Behind the scenes at Tynemouth Priory & Castle

The Percy Chantry is one of the site's hidden gems. Built in the late 15th century, it was a private chapel and is an important part of the priory's story.

If you've visited recently, you may have noticed that the Percy Chantry is currently closed. This is due to high-level masonry issues affecting the Presbytery Tower above the chapel.

Looking after a historic site that's stood for centuries is an ongoing process. Wind, rain, salt-laden sea air and the passage of time all take their toll on medieval stonework. Regular inspections help identify areas that need attention, and when issues are found at height, temporary closures are sometimes the safest way to protect both visitors and the monument while conservation work is planned.

Although you can't explore the Percy Chantry at the moment, you can still admire it from outside and discover its fascinating history throughout your visit. Our team and volunteers are always happy to share more about this remarkable space and the work involved in caring for Tynemouth Priory & Castle for future generations.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to conserve this extraordinary place.

The story of Tynemouth Priory and Castle is one of remarkable change. For centuries, the headland was home to a Benedict...
27/08/2026

The story of Tynemouth Priory and Castle is one of remarkable change. For centuries, the headland was home to a Benedictine priory and an important place of pilgrimage.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in 1539, the site was transformed into a military stronghold. Its position overlooking the mouth of the River Tyne made it strategically important, and it continued to serve in defence of the coast for centuries — from Tudor times through to the mid-20th century.

Today, the remains of the priory and the later military defences stand together, revealing the many different chapters of Tynemouth’s long history.

Life at Tynemouth Priory followed a strict daily rhythm shaped by the Rule of St Benedict, which guided the lives of the...
25/08/2026

Life at Tynemouth Priory followed a strict daily rhythm shaped by the Rule of St Benedict, which guided the lives of the Benedictine monks who lived here.

Their days began in the early hours with prayers known as the Divine Office, returning to worship at set times throughout the day. Between services, monks devoted themselves to study, reading, writing, practical work and the running of the monastery. They also welcomed pilgrims who travelled to Tynemouth to visit the shrine of St Oswine.

Silence, discipline and devotion were central to monastic life. Every part of the day was organised around prayer and service, with the priory church at the heart of their community.

For the monks of medieval Tynemouth, life on the headland was one of worship, work and dedication, it was a way of life that continued for centuries.

Sources: The Benedictine Order

Hidden among the gravestones at Tynemouth Priory is the grave of Alexander Rollo, a man whose story connects this quiet ...
23/08/2026

Hidden among the gravestones at Tynemouth Priory is the grave of Alexander Rollo, a man whose story connects this quiet headland to one of the most famous moments of the Napoleonic Wars.

Rollo served as a Corporal in the Royal Artillery and, held the lantern at the burial of Sir John Moore at Corunna on 17 January 1809.

Sir John Moore, was one of Britain’s most respected generals, and was buried at night by torchlight after being killed during the Battle of Corunna in Spain. The dramatic burial later became famous through the poem ‘The Burial of Sir John Moore after Corunna’.

Rollo lived to the remarkable age of 82 and was buried here at Tynemouth alongside his wife Margaret in 1856. Today, visitors still come to the Priory searching for his grave, it’s a small but powerful reminder that even here on the Northumberland coast, local lives were tied to world-changing events.

Next time you visit the Priory, see if you can find it for yourself.

How closely do you look when you visit?We love spotting the little details that are easy to miss – weathered stone carvi...
21/08/2026

How closely do you look when you visit?

We love spotting the little details that are easy to miss – weathered stone carvings, tiny flowers growing between ancient walls, or interesting textures in the historic masonry.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered during a visit?

We’ve had some fantastic extra pairs of hands on site today, as members of the Cabinet Office joined us for a volunteeri...
19/08/2026

We’ve had some fantastic extra pairs of hands on site today, as members of the Cabinet Office joined us for a volunteering day, getting stuck into something very special: planting the flower beds in our Memorial Garden. 🌸

They’ve been working alongside our wonderful gardeners from Belsay Hall… who we’ve borrowed for a little while. We promise we’ll return them eventually! 😂

Lucy, Ed and Nick have worked incredibly hard to prepare the garden, putting so much time, care and expertise into getting everything ready. Lucy has also designed a new planting scheme specifically for the environment and character of the site, creating a garden that will thrive here and provide something beautiful for visitors to enjoy.

As part of their visit, the team also enjoyed a tour of the site with our volunteer Paul, followed by a chat with Vicky, our Building Conservation Manager, to learn more about the care and conservation of this very special place.

We’re incredibly grateful to the whole Belsay gardening team for all their hard work, and to everyone involved in today’s volunteering day. Thank you! 💚

Say cheese! 📸Today is World Photography Day, a chance to celebrate the art of photography and the incredible way it allo...
19/08/2026

Say cheese! 📸

Today is World Photography Day, a chance to celebrate the art of photography and the incredible way it allows us to capture moments in time.

Did you know that the origins of photography date back almost 200 years?

In 1839, the French government announced the invention of the daguerreotype, one of the earliest practical photographic processes, making it possible to capture a permanent image using a camera.

Since then, photography has transformed the way we record history, tell stories and share the world around us.

Have you taken a photo at Tynemouth that you’re particularly proud of?

Share it with us below! 👇

Sunrise Saturday at Tynemouth Priory & Castle is back! 🌅When: Saturday 19th September Gates open 6am to 8am Wander the h...
17/08/2026

Sunrise Saturday at Tynemouth Priory & Castle is back! 🌅

When:

Saturday 19th September

Gates open 6am to 8am

Wander the historic site, watch the sun rise over the North Sea and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before the day begins.

🎟 Free entry for everyone

We’ll also be joined by Bass Notes Coffee - serving hot drinks to help you make the most of your early start.

Bring your camera, wrap up warm and join us for a memorable morning by the sea. 🌅🏰

Address

Pier Road
Tynemouth
NE304BZ

Telephone

+441912571090

Website

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