Built as a combined rail-road bridge, but only lower road deck is now used {1}. Designed by Charles A Harrison, nephew of Robert Stephenson's assistant, and constructed by Sir William Arrol & Co, builders of the Forth Rail Bridge. The need for the rail bridge was to avoid coal trains having to reverse at Washington and Penshaw, thus connecting the coalfields of Annfield Plain and Washington with Sunderland's South Docks. Negotiations between the North Eastern Railway Company and Sunderland Corporation resulted in an agreement to build the bridge over the River Wear in 1899. The approaches were completed by 1907, by Mitchell Brothers of Glasgow, the subcontractors. By 1909 the Bridge was complete and was ceremoniously opened by the Earl of Durham. A temporary cantilever principle was utilised in erecting the bridge, a unique and remarkable technique at the time. The footings are of Norwegian granite based on solid clay whilst the arches were of red sandstone, shipped to the Wear from Lockarbriggs Quarry, Dumfriesshire. Structurally the Queen Alexandra Bridge has a centre span three times heavier than that of the Forth Rail Bridge. The 330ft centre span stands some 85ft above high water level, it is connected to two 200ft side spans to the north and one 200ft land span to the south. Steel is used throughout the latter. The following quantities of material were used: 350,000 bricks, 8,500 tonnes of steel, 60,000 tonnes of red sandstone and 4,000 tonnes of granite. Although primarily a rail bridge, facilities were also made for a road and pathways on the lower deck, with gas and water mains flanking the upper deck. During the peak years some six million tonnes of coal passed over the rail deck yearly, however passenger traffic on this route never materialised. Consequently, due to the fall in coal exports, the upper deck closed to regular rail traffic in 1921 leading to the bridge's regrettable epitaph as a "white elephant". Following a period of use for wagon storage the semi-redundant rail deck was used as a platform for searchlights and anti-aircraft guns during World War Two {2}.

First shown on the second edition OS of 1898. The large graving dock was comparable in size and form to that at the Bridge Yard (HER 2754) and is mostly lined in wood. The wrought-iron dock gates still remain in position, although embedded and partially hidden in the mud. The gates, which are still intact though badly rotted, originally opened by winch and chain, and are known as 'Cornhill Patent' {2}.

The timber cooling towers of this power station survived until fairly recently {1}. Shown on Ordnance Survey third edition as Electricity Generating Station. Built on site of Trimdon Iron Works (HER 5013).

Present structure has three stone-pointed arches, two brick-lined rounded arches and remains of a third brick-lined round arch {1}. Small group of three semi-circular lime kilns by the riverside on the south bank. Probably date from 18th century {2}.

These tunnels give access to the large goods yard which once existed at the top of the staiths and to the staiths themselves. One tunnel led to the Penshaw Branch and the other went to further staiths at Ayres Quay {1}.

Five steam cranes working in timber yard, three of which are rail-mounted cranes and two are larger and fixed. At least one rail-mounted crane and one stationary crane are still in use {1}

Penshaw Church is a 19th century church of fairly plain design. In the nave of the church, on the left hand wall towards the communion rail, there is a stone tablet of pink granite. This is a fragment of the Great Pyramid of Giza near Cairo, the tomb of Cheops who died about 4,500 years ago {1}. The fragment ended up in Penshaw because Sir George Elliot MP, financial advisor to the Egyptian Khedive, was given two fragments in 1876 as a gift (the other, a granite tablet, is in West Rainton church in County Durham). Elliot lived near Penshaw as a boy. Members of his family are buried there.

Stella South Power Station was built between 1951 and 1954. Part of it stood on the site of the Blaydon Races track. It was designed by L J Couves of Newcastle. It had a capacity of about 300,000 kw. A cannon ball dredged from the river was on display inside the station. It was opened on 20th December 1954 and was designed to burn 2,000 tons of coal a day. 22 tracks of railway sidings were laid to handle this quantity of coal. The waste ash was transported down river for dumping at sea by barge. The chimneys were 375ft high {1}. It was described by Pevsner as 'Of the brick-cathedral type.' {2}
Its companion Stella North Power Station (HER19135) stood opposite on the north bank of the Tyne at Newburn. Both power stations are shown on the Ordnance Survey 1967 map and were demolished in the 1990s.

Planned Victorian street community consisting of terrace of 10 two-storey, two bay red brick houses. At southern end of terrace a three bay hospital building bearing inscription on plaque above central doorway "This hospital belongs to the Freemen of the Ancient Borough 1719" and below "Built by subscription on this site 1876". To the south of hospital a 3 bay mission chapel dated 1872 with rose window over central doorway. Similar chapel at northern end of terrace dated 1878 opposite Victorian board school 1874. The board school was the first of its type to be built in the town following Education Act of 1870 {1}.

Originally five storeys, later reduced to two storeys, brick, double pitched, hipped slate roof, with original five storey height extended to seven storeys in form of tower with conical slate roof at north west corner. Principal elevations: Tudor arched arcade of five bays with stone capitals and voussoirs. Upper floor of nine bays, five bays wide with similar arcade of three bays and circular opening in first and fifth bays. At the Laing warehouse, constructed 1873-5, is a three storey brick and stone building. Each doorway has two-centred arches and well-moulded string courses. Two lines of wooden roof trusses are supported by square wood posts down the centre. At one corner appears to be a tower of seven storeys though in fact this is all that remains to indicate the original height of the building before it was damaged by fire . It is now occupied by a steel stock-holder {1}. Built in 1874 to provide facilities for general trade. Burnt down in 1915.