Newcastle, The Side, Dog Leap Stairs

HER Number:
9916

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Newcastle, The Side, Dog Leap Stairs

Place:
Newcastle

Map Sheet:
NZ26SE

Class:
Transport

Site Type: Broad:
Pedestrian Transport Site

Site Type: Specific:
Steps

General Period:
Post Medieval

Specific Period:
C18

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
Dog Leap Stair, also known as ‘Dog Loup’ stair is an historic stone stair leading from Castle Garth to Side. The name refers to ‘a narrow slip of ground between houses’. In 1772 Baron Eldon, later Lord Chancellor of England, eloped with Bessie Surtees. The couple made their escape on horseback up Dog Leap Stair. Dog Leap Stair is mentioned in the 1978 song ‘Down to the Waterline’ by Dire Straits. LOCAL LIST

Easting:
2507

Northing:
6393

Grid Reference:
NZ25076393

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Grace McCombie, 1980, Did the Dog Leap to get to the Side? In Archaeological Newsbulletin of Northumberland Westmorland and Cumberland, Series 2, No. 10, April 1980, pp 12-3; Newcastle City Council, 2006, Local List of Buildings, Structures, Parks, Gardens and Open Spaces of Special Local Architectural or Historic Interest Supplementary Planning Document; Jack and John Leslie, 2001, Bygone West Quayside and the Chares; Malcolm L Scaife, 1974, Newcastle Old and New; Grace McCombie, 2009, Newcastle and Gateshead - Pevsner Architectural Guide, p. 118