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TK421
18-10-2009, 07:02 PM
When I was a small boy growing up in the North East, I was tantalised by tales of a ruinous castle, hidden in the silver hills on the opposite side of the Team Valley Trading Estate. Indeed I planned a couple of missions with my friends, bikes, sandwiches, pop at the ready and our eyes set on a childhood adventure, which was never to be. No matter how close we came we were always thwarted, usually by a gamekeeper, shotgun over his forearm, a formidable opponent to any 9 year old boy and his mates.

So, it was with some trepidation that having been in the area visiting my folks, I decided to use my new found exploration skills, and have another crack at my nemesis, Ravensworth Castle, early this morning.

My first attempt to simply drive to it was also thwarted by a locked 5 bar gate and many unfriendly ‘no trespassing’ notices, I was also startled by a young girl, shoes in hand, party dress rumpled, walking barefoot along the coach road after what looked like a good night out. I finally parked up nearby, and using my Geordie sense crossed 2 large fields, over barbed wire fences, and clawed through undergrowth and at last I had cracked the bugger!

Bit of potted history:

A castle has existed at this site in Lamesley, Gateshead since the 14th Century, and the present structure is thought to have been built circa 1808 by Sir Thomas Liddell where the Liddell family lived until 1910. The castle spent a short while as a girls school but by 1952, large parts were demolished as they were structurally unsafe due to mining subsidence, the very thing that had brought it’s original owners their prosperity. It featured a few years back on the BBC Restoration programme, but was unsuccessful in achieving a rescue, it is grade 2 listed, and on English Heritage’s ‘buildings at risk’ register, one can see why, it is really beyond hope I fear. Anyway, time for some pictures:

The castle in all its glory:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/23601.jpg

The castle as it is now:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0139-3.jpg


http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0138.jpg

Entrance:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0136.jpg

Old stables:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0162-2.jpg

Door:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0161-1.jpg

The tower, with the magnificent clock:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0174-3.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0186-1.jpg

Pipe work:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0143-2.jpg

Stables then:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/opcrvnsw3w.jpg

Stables now:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0184.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0153.jpg

Hook:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0168-1.jpg

Green room:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0166-1.jpg

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0172-1.jpg

Liked this one, tree growing up the old chimney breast:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0180.jpg

Old window:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0164.jpg

Steps to the underground bit, heavily chained :

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0190-2.jpg

Rear tower:

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0196-3.jpg

Last one from me, sunrise over Gateshead, the more observant of you might spot the Angel of the North (bottom right)

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff256/carterdeltic/DSC_0125-4.jpg

Hope you enjoyed this, I had a great time, and fulfilled one of my childhood dreams of exploring this ruin.

Cheers all.