Back to photostream

Newark Castle turnpike stair

Spiral stair / newal stair / turnpike stair - they are all the same! This is one of the later staircases in the castle, built turning the right way (up to the right), as opposed to the spiral stair in the original keep, which turns up to the left. By the time this one was built, I guess the Maxwells were predominantly right-handed! Each step consists of a single stone, the shape of a keyhole, overlapping the one below. Generally, the only safety measure is a rope hung down the middle. And again, because soft stone is easier to shape than granite, newal steps tend to made of soft stone such as sandstone, which wears and becomes uneven. So beware - the wellknown owner (and restorer) of an Aberdeenshire castle, recently fell down her own newal stair and broke her neck!

3,481 views
2 faves
2 comments
Uploaded on July 23, 2007
Taken on June 29, 2007