The castle keep is a mediaeval fortification in Newcastle upon Tyne. It was built by King Henry II between 1168 and 1198. It is one of the finest surviving examples of a Norman keep in the country and stands guard on a steep promontory overlooking the River Tyne.

It stands on a site that also contains an earlier Motte and Bailey Castle (built by Robert Curthose - son of William the Conqueror) and an Anglo Saxon cemetery.  In the mid 2nd century a roman fort (Pons Aelios) stood here guarding the river. From the 8th century the site fort was used as a Christian cemetery.

Given its ancient roots, the castle has a history of misery, torture and death. Little wonder therefore that the Newcastle Keep has its share of dark sinister characters that still haunt the place, with the mezzanine chamber reputedly being the most active area with spine chilling reports of activity.

Reports have been made of a civil war soldier that roams the castle and also of a dark frightening figure that has been seen in the chapel area.  A monk with no eyes has been seen by many investigators here and, with a history of witches being imprisoned here, the Newcastle Keep is surely one event to earmark in your ghost hunting diary!