Special Sub-Topic: Newcastle upon Tyne Click Here To Play: Newcastle upon Tyne

When was the very first castle built on the Tyne?

1080. 1080 - The Normans first built a wooden fort, a 'motte and bailey' castle at the lowest place where the Tyne could easily be crossed to safeguard the bridge. A small town then grew up around the castle resulting in the name of Newcastle. (How original!)

Who founded the stone castle 'Newcastle Keep' in the twelfth century?

Henry II. It was built in 1168 by Henry II and is still standing. It is now a Grade I listed building and is managed by the Society of Antiquitaries of Newcastle upon Tyne on behalf of Newcastle City Council.

Which long established independent school for boys was founded in the 16th century within the grounds of St Nicholas' Church?

The Royal Grammar School. The RGS as the school is locally known was founded by Thomas Horsley, Mayor of Newcastle, and was originally called The Royal Free Grammar School. Since 2006 the school has been open to both boys and girls. Former pupils of the school are called 'Old Novocastrians'.

Newcastle has two cathedrals. What are they called?

St Mary's and St Nicholas'. St Nicholas is the seat of the Bishop of Newcastle and became a cathedral in 1882 when Queen Victoria created the Diocese of Newcastle. St Mary's is the Roman Catholic cathedral and was designed by Augustus Pugin in 1842.

Who is the famous monument at the top of Grey Street and Blackett Street named after?

Earl Grey. Grey's Monument was built in 1838 as a tribute to Charles Grey for the 1832 Great Reform Act, which broadened the franchise and ended the parliamentary representation of rotten boroughs. It stands 134ft tall with 164 steps inside leading to the top which are occasionally opened to the public. The well known scented tea is indeed named after him.

Which world famous bridge was the Tyne Bridge designed to look like?

Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Tyne Bridge was designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson who also designed the famous Forth Road Bridge in Edinburgh. King George V officially opened the bridge on October 10, 1928, when it was ready for the immediate use by trams, which continued to use the bridge until the 1950s.

Which famous film direcor is a 'Geordie'?

Ridley Scott. Ridley Scott, director of classic films such as "Alien" and "Blade Runner", is from nearby South Shields and although purists from the region may insist he is a 'Sand-Dancer', to many people he is still classed as a Geordie.

Newcastle upon Tyne's famous football team is correctly known by which nickname?

The Magpies. The nickname and/or black and white strip is said to have been derived for several possible reasons. A pair of magpies were nesting at St James' Park in 1895 when the nickname possibly started and also the famous black and white kit which was introduced in 1904. Newcastle United official website states also that it may have originated from priests garb or even from English Civil War uniforms.

What is the name of the controversial sculpture by Antony Gormley completed in 1998?

Angel of the North. The statue stands at 65 feet high (20 metres) with a wingspan of 175 feet (54 metres) wide. It has been designated one of the 'Icons of England' by the government's Culture Online project.

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art which was opened in July 2002 was previously used for what purpose?

Flour Mill. The Baltic Flour Mill opened by Rank Hovis in 1950 and continued as a working flour mill until 1981.