NEWCASTLE
TRUE CRIME TOUR
£155/GROUP
1.5+ HOURS
PRIVATE EVENING WALKING TOUR
FLEXI BOOKING
MAX GUESTS: 6
£155/GROUP
1.5+ HOURS
PRIVATE EVENING WALKING TOUR
FLEXI BOOKING
MAX GUESTS: 6
TRUE IMMERSIVE STORIES
NEWCASTLE'S TRUE CRIME TOUR OF HANGMEN, HARLOTS & HAGS
NEWCASTLE TRUE CRIME TOUR OF HANGMEN, HARLOTS & HAGS
Newcastle is famous as a powerhouse of the North counting great inventions such as the railways or the steam turbine among its own.
However, this evening stroll explores the underbelly of this great city’s past. Join us on a romp through Newcastle’s history of crime, executions and tales of debauchery. Among others, we will explore tales of witchcraft, the lucrative trade of body-snatchers or a prank gone badly wrong.
Locations include Newcastle’s former jails, places of execution and courtrooms, where we will retell the most infamous court cases and we shall re-visit actual crime scenes of days gone by.
At Newcastle Tour Company, the safety & health of our guests are always of paramount importance to us. This Newcastle true crime tour has been optimised for post Covid-19 Newcastle tours & follows our health protocols.
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NEWCASTLE TRUE CRIME TOUR ITINERARY
MEET YOUR TRUE CRIME TOUR GUIDE
Begin your Newcastle walking tour from the heart of the city at Earl Grey's Monument. Enter a world of hangmen, harlots and hags whilst listening to the tales of crime and debauchery!
NEWGATE GOAL & FAMILY FEUDS
Head to the site of the former Newgate Gaol, built in 1400 and demolished in 1823 - hear how the prison conditions were in this city centre jail. And you won't enjoy the alternative to prison... Experience the story of a family feud between John Fenwick & Ferdinando Forster in 1701 which led to a "Killing With Courtesy"...
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCHYARD
Newcastle employed a Scottish witch-finder in December 1649 to carry out his work at NCL. He collected complaints against someone they thought guilty of witchcraft who would then be brought to the witch finder for testing. “Pricking” test = sticking a pin into various parts of the body, if the person did not bleed she was declared guilty. Discover all the grueling stories in this churchyard, brought to life by your true crimes tour guide.
TO THE GALLOWGATE WE GO
Continue towards the (in-)famous Gallowgate - and we are not talking the stand within St. James Park football stadium (although this can also be quite daunting if you do not support Newcastle United but find yourself there on a matchday!).
The name reveals what would have gone on here in days gone - how do you become a hangman anyway?! Discover stories of the profession from "Diary of a Hangman" - your guide will explain more...
The name reveals what would have gone on here in days gone - how do you become a hangman anyway?! Discover stories of the profession from "Diary of a Hangman" - your guide will explain more...
THE EDGES OF THE MEDIEVAL CITY
Walk from Gallowgate to the West Walls that enclosed the city of Newcastle to discover true stories of rape and murder! One of those is the story of Margaret Doherty who had been out celebrating with her husband - drunk as they were, he got home not realising she was not with him anymore.
It was the police, the next day, who explained what had happened: likely one of the most brutal murders the city had ever witnessed (and, to make it worse, the crime WAS witnessed by at least 3 people). Discover the full crime and aftermath on your walking tour along the West Walls.
It was the police, the next day, who explained what had happened: likely one of the most brutal murders the city had ever witnessed (and, to make it worse, the crime WAS witnessed by at least 3 people). Discover the full crime and aftermath on your walking tour along the West Walls.
A PUB BRAWL ENDS BADLY
Continue your Newcastle true crime tour into the notorious Bigg Market. It was late on a Saturday in 1752 when 19-year old Ewen MacDonald, a recruit from General Guise’s regiment of Highlanders, got himself into a fight with a local cooper called Parker as he was taunted for his Scottish nationality. He did not stop there however and went onto a murderous rampage only to be hanged in the city. And even then, he was not yet done...
THE INFAMOUS TURF HOTEL
The demand for fresh corpses to improve medical knowledge had created an even higher demand for "body snatchers" who undug bodies from inner city churchyards and the likes... In reaction, many churchyards erected 24h manned watch-towers and high walls, caged lairs and mortsafes.
Bodies were packed in boxes/hampers and labelled as “glass, handle with care” - in 1826 staff at the Turf Hotel notices one of these suspicious boxes and, sure enough, a 6ft body was found inside a hamper labled "lgass". It is quite possible that the Turf Hotel was one of the major crossroads for body snatchers... Experience more true crime stories during your walking tour along Collingwood Street.
Bodies were packed in boxes/hampers and labelled as “glass, handle with care” - in 1826 staff at the Turf Hotel notices one of these suspicious boxes and, sure enough, a 6ft body was found inside a hamper labled "lgass". It is quite possible that the Turf Hotel was one of the major crossroads for body snatchers... Experience more true crime stories during your walking tour along Collingwood Street.
NEWCASTLE CASTLE KEEP, GAOLS & TURTURE
In 1400, Newcastle was granted city status, however, thanks to a quirk of politics, the Castle Garth area remained part of Northumberland, meaning Newcastle prisoners went to Newgate Gaol & Northumberland prisoners went to the Castle Keep. • After sentencing, prisoners were walked across the yard and thrown in the Guardroom on the ground floor of the Castle. The city centre suddenly found itself with two major prisons! This is also the place of a fantastic prison breaks in 1527!
MURDER UNDER THE CASTLE
Our Newcastle true crime tour continues down the Castle Stairs (or any stairs in the city) towards the river, gives you a sense of what could have happened here in the past. Hear about the murder at The Cooperage, one of Newcastle's oldest buildings, or the famous Glasshouse Murder on Pipewellgate (in Gateshead)... The Guildhall, right by the river Tyne, has also seen its fair share of murder, crime and trials... Ask your guide about Jane Jameson of 1829.
PLACES OF ILL-REPUTE
Learn about the murder of prostitutes Jane White, Elizabeth Tait and Matilda Matin (all at different times in history). Although all the evidence in the latter cases pointed to a likely killer – George Weirs and John Henry Fenning respectively, they were both walked free from court.
James Moore who had argued with Jane White and set her alight with a candle and thereby causing severe burns that lead to their death shortly after was merely sentenced to 4 months in prison. The fact that all three ladies were “only prostitutes” while their accused killers were respectable citizens and tried by a jury of 12 good men, their life and death meant nothing.
James Moore who had argued with Jane White and set her alight with a candle and thereby causing severe burns that lead to their death shortly after was merely sentenced to 4 months in prison. The fact that all three ladies were “only prostitutes” while their accused killers were respectable citizens and tried by a jury of 12 good men, their life and death meant nothing.
CARLIOL SQUARE: A NEWCASTLE TRUE CRIME TOUR HOTSPOT!
After the town walls were partly torn down in 19th Century, including the Newgate Prison, a new prison was required. "Star architect" John Dobson built a new prison on a 2-acre site at Carliol Square comprising a series of radiating wings surrounded by a 25-foot wall and central tower, giving warders a view on to the enclosed courtyard below.
The gaol housed both men and women and also children. Sentences were severe compared with today. Punishment included hard labour in shipyards, breaking stones for building projects etc. Discover more on your Newcastle true crime tour. Finish your tour back at Grey's Monument or anywhere else in the city centre...
The gaol housed both men and women and also children. Sentences were severe compared with today. Punishment included hard labour in shipyards, breaking stones for building projects etc. Discover more on your Newcastle true crime tour. Finish your tour back at Grey's Monument or anywhere else in the city centre...
DETAILS ABOUT YOUR TOUR
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Local, knowledgeable & fun Newcastle true crime tour guide
Start right in the heart of the city
Grizzly stories and undertakings of a true crime tour of Newcastle
Social Distancing
EXCLUSIONS
Any entrance fees
Food & drink
Transportation
Gratuities
GOOD TO KNOW
Consider bringing layers of clothing / rain jacket
Don't forget your camera
We will provide you with a map
Public transport nearby - ask us for details
Consider comfortable shoes suitable for your tour
We can alter routes to make your tour wheelchair / stroller accessible
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