History of Newcastle

Newcastle is a city with a moving and rich past, and visitors who are willing to take some time to be educated about the locality they are visiting will find sufficient museums providing detailed insight into the most pivotal aspects of the city's history.

Early days

In 122 AD, the Romans constructed a fort beside the River Tyne which served as an extension of Hadrians Wall. After the Romans departed from England, the settlement fell dormant for 600 years.

The important strategic position of Newcastle was again realised after the Norman conquest. It was then that a new castle was constructed in 1080 by Robert, the son of William I. The town quickly developed as a pivotal northern trading and merchant post, assisted by royal charters which resulted in Newcastle having an appointed mayor in the year 1261, and in 1400, it established its status as a county.

Recent times

When the great depression took place, Newcastle didn't suffer as much as most towns due to its service industries. However, its main industries gradually started to decline. Since WWII, traditional forms of labour have largely been replaced by more service and retail industries. Newcastle's reputation as a regional centre has, however, been retained.

Recently, the city has been rejuvenated regarding Newcastle's fortunes and improvements. The opening of the Tyneside Metro, a fast transport network was realised in 1980. During the 1990s, the city has worked hard to revitalise itself as a stylish and lively city with the introduction of plenty of modern buildings.