Tynemouth Castle

Formerly a monastery, then a castle built on a promontory called Pen Bal Crag by the Saxons. Three kings are buried here - Oswin (king of Daria), Osred (king of Northumbria) and Malcolm III of Scotland.  Situated at the mouth of the Tyne (well where else would it be with a name like that?), Tynemouth is one of those places that initially far exceeds one's expectations and then partially fulfils them again on better acquaintance!  A nice little town (though part of the urban sprawl of Newcastle), with sandy beaches, fine vistas along the coast, a good walk out on the sea wall and a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants.  Well worth a visit from that point of view.  Just a pity about the rowdy and rude drunks on some of the green spaces and the steps to the Collingwood Monument so a closer look would not have been a pleasant experience.  This was at four o'clock  in the afternoon, and in town, people were already sitting outside the pubs drinking.  Wonder how rowdy it gets late at night - didn't stay to find out.  If it wasn't for that, it would have a good place for a family holiday.  Shame!