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Tynemouth castle
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Tynemouth Castle and Priory
The main gatehouse to Tynemouth Castle
Tynemouth Castle is located on cliffs overlooking Tynemouth Pier ( 55�01′03″N, 1�25′08″E). The moated castle-towers, gatehouse and keep are combined with the ruins of the Benedictine priory where early kings of Northumbria were buried.
The castle was originally built in 1296 and the priory in the 11th century, which in turn had been erected on the site of a Saxon 7th century priory. Much remains of the priory structure as well as the castle gatehouse and walls which are 3200 feet (975 m) in length.
Tynemouth Priory viewed from Tynemouth pier shows the strategic and dramatic nature of its headland setting
The castle was the birthplace of Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland in 1564,
during the period when his father, the 8th earl, was guardian of the castle.
The castle played a role during World War II when it was used as a coastal defence unit. It is now managed by English Heritage.
More recently it has hosted the modern buildings of Her Majesty's Coastguard.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tynemouth_Castle
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pictures of Tynemouth by mafleen at flickr
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