FREE NewcastleGateshead WALKING GUIDE LIVE www.NewcastleGateshead.com CONTENTS GRAINGER TOWN (I) 4 GRAINGER TOWN (2) 6 NEWCASTLE CENTRAL STATION 8 CASTLE & QUAYS 12 UNIVERSITY QUARTER 14 JESMOND 16 GATESHEAD 18 THE OUSEBURN VALLEY 20 FURTHER INFORMATION 22 Welcome to the first NewcastleGateshead Walking Guide. This guide is perfect for visitors to NewcastleGateshead as you can explore the city on foot taking in the best sights, attractions, buildings and monuments. It’s also great for locals, who want to discover more about the place where they live. Each of the seven walks are easy to follow: there’s a map to help guide you around the route, a description and some interesting facts and historical information about the locations you will see along the way. The walks start and end at a Metro station, so they are always easy to get to and find. See page 22 for information on the best Metro tickets to buy and also sources of further information on NewcastleGateshead. NewcastleGateshead’s world-class festivals and events programme is funded by: Published by NewcastleGateshead Initiative, 4th Floor, Central Square South, Orchard Street, Newcastle NE1 3AZ T: +44 (0)191 243 8800 F: +44 (0)191 222 1282 E: [email protected] www.NewcastleGateshead.com 3 GRAINGER TOWN (I) GRAINGER TOWN (1) 5. Co-op building (which originally right hand side. In housed the Co-operative Wholesale the open courtyard movement), a great example of the Art of the centre are the Deco style, popular in the 1920s and remains of a corner 1930s. Pop into the North or South tower of a Roman and take a look at the stairwells with the milecastle. The Arts little human figures carrying the Centre is also a handrails, another superb Art Deco great place to pick touch. Adjoining the Co-op is up a gift and houses 6. The Gate, home to a plethora of a gallery and a swish bars and restaurants. You’ll notice potter’s studio. the glass and steel sculpture ‘Ellipsis Continue down the Eclipses’ by Danny Lane on the corner road to see the outside. Between The Gate and Tiger graceful Tiger (opposite), head down beneath the 10. Assembly glass pedestrian bridge (it has The Gate Rooms (built in written on it) and turn right onto 1774) on the left, and Grey’s Monument Dispensary Lane which will bring you to a little further, 7. Blackfriars and a real step back in 11 . St. John's Church on the Wooden mice, Dominican friars, Marks & Spencer's time. The first thing you'll notice is the corner of Grainger Street. Inside the noise. There is none. This little haven is church are a range of interesting Penny Bazaar, and an Earl. one of Newcastle's hidden gems and, features including a commemoration to befitting the quiet air, was once home to Richard Grainger himself. Also pay Starting point: Monument Metro station Dominican friars who arrived here in careful attention to the wooden / Grey Street 1239. The church that was once here was choirstalls in the north aisle and see if Length of walk: 1.5 - 2 hours destroyed during Henry VIII's Dissolution you can spot the little wooden mice When it comes to grandiose views, Earl of the Monasteries, but its outline is still which were carved by the Yorkshire Grey - former Northumberland MP and visible today. The building the friars used craftsman Robert “mousey” Thompson, Prime Minister - has got it spot on. He's as their eating area is now an award- who developed that particular trademark the fellow perched atop 1. Grey's winning bistro/restaurant, Blackfriars, as an indication that he and his fellow Monument, casting his gaze down the which also has tables outside on the craftsmen were “as poor as church street which he gave his name to. Grey greenery, so you can grab a bite to eat in mice”. Street (voted the most beautiful in the the tranquil air of this country by the listeners of Radio 4 and delightful square. Alternatively bring Back out and onto Grainger Street the Commission for Architecture and the your own sandwiches for a picnic. and again, your chance to take in the Built Environment CABE) is indeed a magnificence of Grainger Town’s magnificent sight and the work of Central Arcade Following through a little archway buildings as you head back towards visionary property developer Richard stage), you'll discover 2. Brunswick towards the top end of Blackfriars Grey's Monument. Along the way, be sure Grainger (B.1797). Starting in 1834, Methodist Chapel, one of the (straight ahead from where you entered to stop off at the 12. Grainger Grainger set about transforming earliest of its type in North East England. it), takes you onto Stowell Street, home Market, the covered market on your Newcastle, with his classically designed Back onto Blackett Street, turn right, and to Newcastle's Chinatown. You'll be left hand side. Thought to be designed streets all part of his “City of Palaces” continue along and you'll find 3. Old greeted by a wonderful array of aromas by John Dobson - who worked closely blueprint. Grey’s Monument itself is Eldon Square on your right. This informing you that you've reached the with Grainger - the market contains regarded by many as the centre of houses the city’s war memorial: a bronze best Chinese restaurants in town! Turn many shops which have been in the modern Newcastle and was erected in statue of St. George - the patron saint of left and at the end of Stowell street same family for generations, and is still 1838 to commemorate Earl Grey's the Northumberland Fusiliers - slaying a you'll see the West Walls, the longest home to one of the original Marks and achievements in passing the Great dragon. Continue along Blackett street, section of the original town walls - built Spencer's Penny Bazaars (built in 1895, Reform Bill of 1832. and under the bridge, and you'll see between 1280-1283 to protect the city - with its shop front being the smallest, Behind the Earl is Blackett Street and the 4. St. Andrew's Church, on still surviving today. Following the wall and oldest, still surviving today.) down the slope will lead you onto Blackfriars Emerson Chambers Newgate Street. Structurally the building building, a fine contains more 12th century work than Westgate Road, where you'll see Finally, just before Grey's Monument example of the Art any other in the area making it “the 8. The Journal Tyne Theatre and Monument Metro station, you'll Nouveau style. If you oldest church of this town” and to the (opened in 1867), one of the most see the beautifully tiled Edwardian cut down between rear of it you can see a short stretch of important theatres in the country, 13. Central Arcade (1906) on your this building and the the medieval town wall (more of which, housing its original 19th century stage right hand side. This is another of Newcastle United later). machinery. Grainger's creations and the perfect way clubshop (a black Continue down Westgate Road, over to end your stroll through Newcastle's and white scarf is Continue along Newgate Street and you Clayton Street, and you'll reach the “golden heart”. optional at this cannot miss the arresting façade of the 9. Newcastle Arts Centre on the 4 | WALKING GUIDE www.NewcastleGateshead.com 5 GRAINGER TOWN (2) GRAINGER TOWN (2) later); Harry Hotspur (14th century soldier and son of the first Earl of Northumberland); Sir John Marlay (Newcastle's Mayor during the Civil War period); and Roger Thornton (Newcastle's 15th century “Dick Whittington”). Head back down Northumberland Street and turn left at Vision Express to see the 5. Laing Art Gallery straight ahead. The Laing celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2004. When you've availed yourself of the gallery's wonderful collection and emerge from the glass fronted entrance/exit, you'll find the next attraction beneath your feet. This is the 6. Blue Carpet, a tiled area completed in 2002 by artist, Thomas Heatherwick and winner of Vampire Rabbit several arts' awards. John Betjeman sings praise, a Blue Carpet, Leave Blue Carpet Square (with the century, where the Geordie anthem, “The The Blaydon Races, and the Vampire Rabbit. gallery on your right hand side) and turn Blaydon Races”, was first sung). Opposite left, head towards the next junction and High Bridge, and a little uphill, head turn right onto Market Street. Walk along down Pudding Chare until you reach the Starting point: 9. Revolution bar (the grand Monument Metro station / Grey Street here and turn left onto Pilgrim Street which will bring you to the narrow interior reflecting its former history as a Length of walk: 1.5 - 2 hours opening of High Bridge, one of the oldest bank) on the corner. Continue along Many have fallen in love with Grey Street, streets in Newcastle, and home to some Collingwood Street and you'll come to none more so than the former poet lovely boutiques and independent 10. St. Nicholas' Cathedral. The laureate, Sir John Betjeman, who once retailers. Heading down this street elegant Lantern Tower (1448) is commented: “I shall never forget seeing (crossing over Grey Street which particularly ornate and the cathedral's it to perfection, traffic-less on a misty intersects it) you'll arrive at the 7. Bigg crowning glory. Inside there are a host of Sunday morning. Not even Regent Street, Market. This is where medieval interesting features (guidebooks are even old Regent Street, London, can Newcastle citizens once sold and bought available).