Newcastle history

Newcastle was founded by the Roman emperor Hadrian between AD120 - AD128, and a sizeable section of his famous wall is still visible close to the city. In 1080, Robert Curthose, son of William the Conqueror, built the New Castle, from which the city takes its name.

From the 16th century onwards, coal became the mainstay of the economy and paved the way for the development of shipbuilding and other heavy industries. But, with the advent of new technologies and foreign competition, these fell into decline in the latter half of the 20th century and the city was forced to reinvent itself.