Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Heron Pit
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 21, 2018
1. The Heron Pit Marker
The Heron Pit
You are currently standing above the Heron Pit which was an underground prison (known popularly as an 'oubliette').
The Pit was built by William Heron, the High Sheriff of Northumberland, to imprison people.
The walls of the Heron Pit are still visible in the foundations below your feet. The Pit had no windows or doors. Above it would have been a kitchen, additional prison space and a guard chamber. The pit was accessed through a trap door.
This reconstruction is how the Heron Pit, and its upper structure, may have looked in 1250 AD:
¤ The Guard Chamber.
¤ The Upper Prison could hold up to 40 people at a time!
¤ The Heron Pit was a 3x3x2m area concealed in sandstone.
¤ Sheep leg-bones secured the slate-tiled roof!
¤ The kitchen had plastered walls and a chimney.
¤ The trap door was made of wood and secured with 100 iron spike nails!
Developed by Newcastle Univesity Heritage students, 2017.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1250.
Location. 54° 58.157′ N, 1° 36.636′ W. Marker is in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in Tyne and Wear. Marker can be reached from the intersection of St. Nicholas Street, on
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Heron (here, next to this marker); Medieval Castle (a few steps from this marker); Norman Castle (a few steps from this marker); The Barbican (a few steps from this marker); Pons Aelius (a few steps from this marker); St. Nicholas Cathedral (a few steps from this marker); The Black Gate (a few steps from this marker); Anglo-Saxon Church (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Also see . . . Newcastle Castle. (Submitted on November 26, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 21, 2018
2. The Heron Pit
The marker is on the walkway at the rear of the barbican tower.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 21, 2018
3. The Black Gate Barbican
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
