Newcastle: True Crime Walking Tour & Castle Stories

Summary

Chilling stories, secret lanes and Newcastle’s shadowy past

You’ll walk Newcastle’s oldest streets with a local storyteller, hear real crime tales in Grainger Town and Bigg Market, step inside Newcastle Castle’s prison cells, and wander through St. Andrews churchyard where witch trials once took place. Expect laughter, shivers, and a new way to see the city’s familiar corners—you might even go home with some historic photos as proof.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Newcastle's dark history

• Walk through Grainger Town streets
• Visit St. Andrews churchyard
• Explore Bigg Market and Old George pub
• Walk through Newcastle Castle prison
• Descend the Long Stairs alleys
• Discover historic Quayside stories
• Enjoy tales at Sandhill and Akenside Hills

Top questions

Is this Newcastle true crime walking tour suitable for kids?

The tour covers dark historical topics like witch trials and violence; parental discretion is advised.

How long does the true crime walking tour last?

The experience takes around two hours total.

Does the tour include entry to Newcastle Castle?

You’ll walk through parts of Newcastle Castle including old prison areas as part of the route.

Are there lots of stairs or steep areas?

The route includes alleys like Long Stairs; moderate fitness is recommended due to uneven ground.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

No hotel pickup; you meet your guide in central Newcastle.

Can I bring my service animal on this walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

Will we get any photos from the experience?

Your guide can send you memorable historic images via WhatsApp or email after the tour.

Is public transport nearby for getting to or from the start point?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to where the tour begins and ends.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Grainger Town, St. Andrews churchyard, Bigg Market, Newcastle Castle prison cells, and riverside alleys—with professional storytelling throughout and digital copies of historic images sent to you afterwards if you want them.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the echo of our footsteps in Grainger Town—those old stone streets make every sound sharper, especially when our guide, Alan, started in with the story about the tailor who vanished one foggy night. I caught a whiff of something sweet from a bakery nearby, which felt weirdly out of place with all the talk of thieving and bar fights. Alan had this way of pausing just before the worst part of each tale, so you’d lean in without realizing it.

We ducked into St. Andrews churchyard and honestly, I got chills—not from ghosts (it’s not that kind of tour), but just thinking about what happened there centuries ago. There’s this one crooked gravestone by an old yew tree; Alan pointed at it and told us about the witch trials. It was drizzling lightly, which made everything feel heavier somehow. I tried to imagine what those nights must’ve sounded like—probably not as quiet as now.

Bigg Market was next. I’d always thought it was just for pub crawls, but apparently it’s got its own history of bar brawls and riots. Some locals passed by laughing at something on their phones—life goes on above these old stories, you know? The Old George pub looked inviting but we kept moving towards Newcastle Castle. Inside the old prison cells, it smelled damp and cold (Alan said it always does). He showed us some historic images on his phone—I still have them saved somewhere—and told us about a prisoner who tried to escape down the Long Stairs. Didn’t end well for him.

The Quayside felt different after hearing what went down there—hard to look at those pretty river views the same way. Sandhill and Akenside Hills were last; Alan had us all laughing at one point over some ridiculous 18th-century plot gone wrong. The whole walk was maybe two hours but I barely noticed time passing. Still think about that crooked gravestone sometimes.