Dark Tales of Old Newcastle

Dark Tales of Old Newcastle gathers accounts from the darker side of Newcastle upon Tyne’s past, moving between recorded history, local belief and grim anecdote. Pamela Armstrong covers plagues and disasters, reports of ghosts and witch-hunts, prisons and executions, body-snatching and street riots.

Drawing on her experience as a tour guide, Armstrong presents these subjects as stories rooted in the city’s older streets and communities. The book brings together episodes of public disorder, criminal punishment, medical curiosity and alleged supernatural activity, showing how fear, folklore and historical events have shaped Newcastle’s darker reputation. Its focus remains firmly local, offering a concise collection of unsettling tales from the city’s past.