Tynemouth

Tynemouth is a coastal village standing at the mouth of the River Tyne.

With an Anglian monastery dating back to the 9^th Century and a castle dating from the 13^th Century it is an area of significant historical importance.  Henry VIII built a fort here in 1545 which defended the fleet which set off here before invading Scotland.

The remains of the priory also contain the burial place of saints and kings of the Old Kingdom of Northumbria, including King Malcolm III of Scotland, killed in 1093 during the Battle of Alnwick who was originally buried here before his remains were taken to Dunfermline Abbey in the 13^th Century

The Spanish Battery which is the headland looking out on to the mouth of the Tyne got its name from the Cannons placed in King Henry’s fort which were manned by Spanish mercenaries, the guns positioned here were finally stood down from active service in 1943 and removed in 1954. Very little of the original fort remains, although you can still see the defensive ditch and route down to the sea. It is a great spot to watch passing ships although they are of the passenger ferry variety now rather than sea faring invaders!