Early 19th century Benwell was home to some of the most wealthy and powerful people on Tyneside. It was a peaceful rural area but still conveniently near to the facilities and social life of Newcastle. By the start of the 20th century, despite the rapid G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 growth of heavy industries and St James' Church Benwell Grange Benwell House Benwell Dene Hodgkin Park extensive coal workings, most of the area was still occupied by large Inside this 170 year old Condercum Road Benwell Grange was built Benwell House was built in When the banker Thomas House detached houses set in their own church are memorials to (formerly called Charlotte in the 1860’s. Notable the 1820’s. Its first Benwell Dene was built in Hodgkin left Benwell to some of the wealthy Pit Lane) is named after residents included George resident was the coal live in Bamburgh Castle, grounds, protected from the sight of 1866, designed by the industry and coal mines by trees and people connected with Condercum fort - a large Angus, son of the founder owner, John Walker. architect Alfred Waterhouse he gave almost six acres Benwell, such as coal cavalry fort on the Roman of the Newcastle rubber of land from his estate to other landscaping. Today only a few Reached by a long drive who also designed owner and engineer John Wall, built at the highest and leather company that the council to be of Benwell's big houses remain leading from Benwell 's Natural History Buddle, Benjamin Browne point with good views of later merged with Dunlop developed as a public standing, and none are now in use as Lane, it was a stone-built Museum and Manchester head of shipbuilders and the surrounding to become a major park. Hodgkin Park was private homes. But traces survive, mansion situated in Town Hall. It was the engineers Hawthorn countryside. multinational. A later opened in 1899 by Mrs extensive grounds, home of Thomas Hodgkin, such as gateposts, boundary walls, Leslie, and Walter Scott a resident was the wine and Hodgkin, and later Several 19th mansions including fountains and a a partner in the Newcastle and street names. successful businessman spirit merchant John extended by the addition here were called walled garden, and bank of Hodgkin, Barnett, who built London's first McPherson, best known of a further 12.5 acres Condercum, including surrounded by woodlands. Pease and Spence which underground electric for his Cluny brand of south of Armstrong Road. Lower Condercum, home The estate extended south later became Lloyd's Walk to School railway. whisky. to William Cochran Carr, a to the river at Paradise. Bank. Hodgkin was also a Among those buried in the local coal owner who also In 1920 the house was respected historian. churchyard are the builder In 1902 the house and owned South Benwell bought by the Royal

and developer Richard grounds were converted In 1893 Hodgkin sold mansions of Benwell of mansions brickworks. Where the Victoria School for the

Grainger, coal owner into the Benwell House Benwell Dene to the Royal

On the trail of the big houses and and houses big the of trail the On Springbank Club now Blind which ran a hostel

William Cochran Carr, lead Hotel. This closed in 1969 Victoria School for the

A Heritage Walk Heritage A stands, there was a big and training centre for

manufacturer William and the building was Blind, which relocated to house called Spring Bank blind young women here Houses Isaac Cookson, glass Benwell from its previous

Villa, once home to the demolished four

manufacturer John until 1954. It was city centre premises. It Brims family who were years later. Benwell’s Big Benwell’s Sowerby, and Arthur demolished in 1968. remained there until it engineering and building The National Walk to Thomas Lloyd the third closed in 1985. School Campaign Bishop of Newcastle. contractors. Our Walk to School campaign encourages parents, children and This circular walk starts and ends teachers to think about their at St James' Church. It takes you journey to and from school, and along Benwell Lane and around old consider the benefits of walking. Benwell, following clues to where the former big houses stood and Walking Works who lived in them. This heritage walk was devised by G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 St James' Heritage & Environment Benwell Towers Benwell Cottage Benwell Hall Benwell Old Benwell Village Pendower Hall Group in partnership with the The first owner of Benwell Benwell Cottage, to the Benwell Hall dated from House By the mid-19th century Pendower Hall was built in Benwell Big Houses Group who Towers was Thomas west of Benwell Towers, the 18th century. Standing Benwell Old House was a almost 200 people lived in the 1860’s for John helped to research the history of Crawhall, whose business was actually a large house in its own wooded and large house with gardens Benwell Village, a small William Pease, a banker the big houses for the book interests included standing in extensive landscaped grounds, it and orchards in the centre settlement of cottages, and director of the North Benwell's Big Houses. rope-making, lead mining grounds. Its most famous was home to several of Benwell village which farms, a blacksmith, a Eastern Railway and coal mining. In 1881 it resident was the railway important industrialists school, a church and two Company. In 1919 the We help workplaces promote dated from the 17th or walking, so that employees are To contact us or to obtain a copy of became the residence of engineer and steam including William pubs. Most families relied house and grounds were 18th century. It was happier and healthier. the book: the Bishops of Newcastle. engine builder, William Cuthbert, owner of demolished in the 1950’s. on jobs servicing the big sold to Newcastle Council. From 1943-76 it was a Hawthorn, who, along with Montagu Colliery. houses nearby. The land was used to build Its most high profile St James' Heritage & Environment Group base and training centre his brother Robert, was The last residents were some of the first council Fitter for Walking resident was Joseph Originally the Green Tree c/o Cornerstone, 64 Armstrong Road for the mines fire and one of Tyneside's most the Bramble family who houses in the city, whilst Straker who lived there for and Hawthorn pubs were rescue services. After this illustrious industrial moved there in the 1920s. the house was converted several years in the 19th next to each other on the NE4 7TU it became in turn the Silver pioneers. William Bramble, the "Dick to an "open air" school for century. Son of a ship north side of the road, but Email: [email protected] Lady night club, the Mitre Whittington of Newcastle", children with physical In the 1920’s, Royal owner from Walker, later the Hawthorn moved Or visit St James' any Tuesday pub, and then the location is said to have arrived with health problems. In the 11.00am - 3.30pm Victoria School for the Straker was himself a to the opposite side where for the Grove his possessions in a 1950’s the school moved Blind bought the house timber merchant, ship new houses now stand. St television series until bundle on his back to seek to new premises nearby, and grounds to create a repairer, and owner of the John's Church (the oldest 2006. There has been a his fortune. He became and the Hall became an training centre for blind Brancepeth, Brandon and church in Benwell) was big house on this site Lord Mayor, after education centre until its young men. This was Willington collieries in rebuilt on its present site since the 12th century. achieving wealth from closure in 2002. Fitter for Walking works with local closed in the 1950s, and County Durham. in 1950. The national charity working to create safe, the house stood empty retailing and property residents to improve the local attractive, enjoyable streets where people until it was demolished development. The house environment and encourage want to walk. in 1972. was demolished in people to walk more. the 1980’s. www.livingstreets.org.uk Map Registered Charity No. 1108448 ( and Wales) Walk directions Continue until you reach, on your left, Benwell Fergusons Lane you can stand and look to the built on the site where Pendower Schools used to Dene House. G5 This is no longer a private west or walk a few yards further along. On the be. You may want to cross the road to get a better Did you know... Start at St James’ church. G1 residence. It can be viewed from the courtyard south side of the lane, about where Shafto view of the Towers. entrance. A little further along you will pass the Court stands now, is the site of Benwell Leaving the church, walk a few yards east to the Turn right, walk down the west side of gates of Hodgkin Park, a fine Victorian Park Cottage. G8 crossroads at the top of Atkinson Road. At the Pendower Way through Pendower Estate. As which was once part of the grounds of Benwell beginning of the 20th century, the trams On the north side is the site of Benwell Hall. you walk, you can catch glimpses of Benwell Dene House. G6 stopped here. Adelaide Terrace was a busy The house is gone but the gateposts and stone Towers in the gaps between the houses on your shopping street but Benwell Lane was still a Cross Benwell Lane here and continue to walk in boundary wall remain. There are still many right. You will be able to see less during the country lane overhung with big trees. a westerly direction. As you pass the end of beautiful mature trees dating from the old Hall. G9 summer, when the leaves are on the trees. Condercum Road running north up the hill owes Pendower Estate on your right, a high stone wall Return to the point where the narrow lane Pendower was one of Britain’s first council Walking is a simple, free and green way to its name to the area’s Roman history. G2 begins. This is the boundary wall of Benwell leading from Benwell Lane joins Fergusons estates, built as part of the drive to provide increase your fitness levels. Towers. A few yards further along, carvings set “homes for heroes” after the First World War. Return to the church entrance and continue to Lane. Continue to walk in an easterly direction into the wall mark the position of an old well. It was named after another of Benwell’s big houses Research shows that walking one mile in walk west along Benwell Lane. Note the former past some new houses. On your right, will be a The spring supplying this well now flows (which can be seen from the West Road). G12 15 minutes burns about the same number of vicarage on your left behind the stone boundary short road, leading to stone gateposts with two underground. calories as running a mile in 8½ minutes. wall of the church. This was designed by John bollards between them. Beyond them is a When you reach Jenison Avenue on the left Dobson who also designed the church. Continuing west, you come to the gatehouse of grassed area. On the left side of this short road hand side of Pendower Way, cross the road and Regular physical activity improves mood, helps Benwell Towers. One of the few big houses to you will notice an old stone wall, with evidence of walk along Jenison Avenue to the end. You will relieve depression, and increases feelings of After crossing Bishops Road, you will pass have survived in Benwell. The gateposts still a bricked-up door. This marks the boundary of see a grassy area facing you on Sunnybank Benwell Grange on your left. G3 Now a housing well-being. stand at the start of a narrow lane leading to the Benwell Old House. G10 Avenue. The stone wall behind here marks the association estate, this was formerly the site of house. Sadly it is not now possible to enter the boundary of the Pease Estate where Pendower Walking for just 30 minutes a day during the one of Benwell’s big houses. Continue along the main road. You are now in working week means reaching the grounds to view it properly. G7 the heart of old Benwell Village, of which little Hall was situated. Beyond here was the Continue west and cross Hodgkin Park Road. Government’s recommended level of daily A short distance further along you will come to a remains. G11 . As you walk, you pass the police Charlotte Pit, known locally as the “Charley”. activity needed to transform your health. Note the Co-operative Funeral Service premises bus stop and a small triangular parking bay. station and entrance to St Cuthbert’s School on This was the last pit to operate in Benwell, on your left as you continue west. This site was Turn right here and pass between bollards to your left. On your right, you can see Benwell finally closing in the 1930s. Turn right and walk Simple things can make a big difference to formerly occupied by Benwell House. G4 walk up a narrow lane. This takes you to Towers behind a small estate of new houses down Sunnybank Avenue to rejoin Benwell Lane. how we use our streets. If you would like to Turn left here and return to St James’ Church. Fergusons Lane. As you come out onto called Benwell Village Mews. These houses were make your area Fitter for Walking contact Charlotte O’Keefe on 0191 2457361 or [email protected]

B ERT OAKFIELD GARDENS RAM CRESCENT E N A L Living Streets is the national charity working to G S S RE D PE U create safe, attractive, enjoyable streets where T N N N U N A D N Benwell O O Pendower Hall Y people want to walk. R H W C O E B R O A Village A D D W N A N N With our supporters we influence decision A K D Y

E X makers nationally and locally, run successful ENU A R

R AV E O N O V C RIVE F U IS E D N U projects to encourage people to walk, and S E L N J M L H U A I provide specialist consultancy services to help

E Benwell E H R

O

A L Benwell Hall LL reduce congestion and carbon emissions, Old House E A A L V IDD VE D E E R improve health, and make sure every

N W

E U N LAN community can enjoy vibrant streets and E E ONS

B GUS Benwell FER Towers public spaces. BENWELL LANE Condercum If you would like to find out more about our Benwell Benwell work, please take a look at our website or Cottage register for our e-newsletter at Dene House D

A BISHOP’S ROAD D Hodgkin Park O www.livingstreets.org.uk E Benwell R Benwell L

A House K V Grange St James’ R A D A L A P Church

O R R N O I start and A K N D G finish here O D S O IN H K T A

Key Point of interest 0 100 250m (see other side of leaflet) Approximately ¼ mile in 5 mins Walking route - road 0 100 250yd Digital Cartography by Pindar Creative 01296 390100 www.pindarcreative.co.uk Design, digital cartography and print by Pindar Creative 08.11 Walking route - footpath Walk takes approximately 45 minutes Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011 www.pindarcreative.co.uk