Tynemouth Castle/Priory

EDIT : It seems I have stirred some memories apparently in the 60's some members of  NTBC used to seawatch from a pill box in the castle grounds , but thought the height and distance a disadvantage ,   given the optics of the day that's no surprise  , I will at some stage take my scope in and give it a go, although it would never be  a practical location I am intrigued as to what can be seen  Cetaceans perhaps ? 

Its many years since I was in Tynemouth Castle/Priory/Gun Emplacement this post is more for those perhaps wanting to visit the Northeast  a day of mixed weather which added to the atmosphere .The first thing that struck me as I looked out to sea was the fantastic views looking down and over the sea this would be the  place to seawatch from apart from having to pay the £4:75 to get in , along the rough edges of the cliff which is overgrown there has probably been many a migrant landed  here and worked it's way around the thick cover to the south of the site  and over to Prior's Park .

The site history is well documented and it's odd to see a Castle enclosing a Priory, substantial Gun Emplacement , Graveyard and a modern Building used by the Coast Guard, which now seems to be empty and disused 

 View from the Castle wall looking out on the ships at anchor as they await a berth in the Tyne

 View looking along the pier from the Castle walls

 Several windows of stained glass still survive

 I don't know if it would be any good for seawatching as you can't tell till you try  but certainly has commanding views over the sea

 The Breach of the gun from the 40's as it was a WW11 and earlier emplacement with many bunkers ,rooms etc: beneath

 A serious piece of kit but apparently the earlier guns where much larger

 Looking through the Castle Keep up Tynemouth high street ,at the weekends there is a Fleamarket/Craft Market in the renovated Victorian Station well worth a visit

 Collingwood Monument on the right as you look across to South Shields the views are truly stunning

 Various clubs inhabit the bay ,Rowing ,Sailing, Kayaking, the old Lifeguard Station to the left of the monument is also a must visit site.

 Gun Emplacement  bunker in the foreground, Graveyard and Coastguards Station beyond . The Building looks unused now which seems a modern day trend of  a very short lifespan of buildings (Opened in 1980 closed 2001) certainly make a very good something but given its location and limited access my thoughts are it will be demolished (Apparently it is up for sale ?)

 Photo of a Photo showing the  aerial plan of the site

 Looking North  the Spanish City gleaming in the distance and St Mary's Island beyond

Looking down from the Castle walls it looks like a moat but if memory serves it was dug out when they built the pier (another must visit site)

 The Building to the left is a visitor centre and  toilet ,

 Ruins of the Priory some of the blocks of sandstone are huge how did they build this is amazing

Again looking towards the pier from the remnants of Castle buildings

Tynemouth Lighthouse

This year I visited Tynemouth Lighthouse for the first time apparently it's only about 1/2 mile walk along the pier but it seems much longer ,we where allowed to go out at the top you get some fantastic views ,the first thing I thought about was what would the seawatching be like from here, but also in a heavy sea with the waves coming right over the top , not sure if I would be scared or not as it is so well build typical Victorian engineering built to last probably way beyond the years intended ,also can't help but wonder if it was rebuilt today how long would it last .

Looking up at the Lighthouse the joints are so tight and look how thick the walls are

 Some of the original drawings on the wall still

 A lot of the walls are those tile faced bricks easy to clean and reflects light

 The light itself is sitting on a bed of Mercury and although it is about 1 ton ? it is so easy to turn

 Makers plate on the light base

 Telephone probably not used to order a takeaway

 This is just under the light

 and the stairs up to the top

more steps to the stairs of the light ,and more tiled bricks

 actually the storage area although very dark was not as damp as I thought it would be , hundreds of Silverfish on the walls near here

 View from the top back along the pier

View up the river

St Mary's Lighthouse in the far distance , just look how much further you are out.

Some old Lighthouse keeper has probably got an impressive list from here with these   !!!!!