Many people who live in or visit Newcastle may not realise are a set of stairs near the Quayside offer a direct route to one of the city’s most famous landmarks
If you’re a fan of exploration and pretty active you might fancy tackling a ‘secret’ staircase in Newcastle. This hidden gem leads to one of the city’s most renowned landmarks, yet remains largely undiscovered by many locals and visitors alike.
Whether it’s the plethora of top-notch eateries and watering holes in town, superb entertainment venues, or the striking architecture – with the magnificent Grey Street and iconic Tyne Bridge being just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to breathtaking sights in Newcastle.
Now, a landmark that often goes unnoticed until stumbled upon is Newcastle Castle, and the staircase leading up to it from the Quayside is considered one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
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The Quayside is a brilliant spot to enjoy in its own right. After admiring the bridges, enjoying a few pints and, if you time it right, visiting the weekly Quayside market, you can take a direct route from the banks of the Tyne to the Castle via the Battery Stairs.
These shouldn’t be confused with the nearby Long Stairs or the daunting ‘death stairs’. Named after the Half Moon Battery, part of the Castle that was demolished and replaced by crowded tenements in the 17th century, these stairs offer a scenic route from one area of the city to another and are a photographer’s dream, offering plenty of great shots from bottom to top, reports Chronicle Live.
Every person who has posted about climbing the stairs online has mentioned that they’re not for the faint-hearted, including one individual who advised tourists to use the handrails when ascending or descending. Highlighting the potential for some fantastic photos, another wrote: ‘This ancient staircase up to Newcastle Castle looks superb.
They are fun to walk up or down, if you’re a keen photographer you will have some great and dramatic photographic opportunities to take. ‘.