Designated in October 2000. The Lower Ouseburn Valley forms one of the main cradles of the Industrial Revolution on Tyneside and is subsequently rich in industrial heritage. Since the C17 the area has supported a splendid array of glass-works, lead, iron, soap, limeworks, mills and potteries which by the late C19 stood next to housing beneath the rail and road bridges. As a transport route the Ouse Burn was very effective, its tidal nature permitting wherries and barges to travel up the river. Processing industries in the valley relied on the river for delivery of raw materials and export of finished products. Mills and warehouses were built right up against the river's edge and incorporated slipways and shoring for boats and loading equipment. The river was also a source of power and mill races were constructed to harness the river to drive waterwheels. Industries were based on the availability of ballast generated by the coal trade. Glassmaking was the first industry in the valley with three glasshouses established by 1619. By the mid C17 bricklayers, potters, plumbers, brewers, felt makers and bakers had established themselves next to the glasshouses. The pottery industry located here in 1782, and culminated in the establishment of the Maling Pottery on Ford Street in C19. By the end of the C18 commercial industrial activity expanded to accommodate shipbuilding, masonry, hairdressers, tailors and shoemakers. Lead works and iron foundries established themselves in the valley in the C19, along with paint works, soap manufacturers, copperas works, tanners, swa mills, corn mills and flint mills. The valley's success was a result of the trade network system - on Stepney Bank for instance, slaughterhouses, bone and glue works, butchers and tanners stood side by side so very little of the animal was wasted. Likewise lead works produced white lead which was used by nearby paint works. The area provided substantial employment being a self-contained community with brick terraces, a doctor's practice, school and around 15 public houses. As a result of improvements in transport (road and rail networks) the traditional industry of the valley became redundant by the end of WW2. The population was gradually rehoused outside the valley and in the 1960s many buildings were demolished. The Conservation Area includes several listed buildings - Ouseburn Railway Viaduct (HER 4327), Ouseburn School (HER 5580), piers and railings (HER 9137) and caketaker's cottage (HER 8852), Crawford's Bridge (HER 1946), 30 and 36 Lime Street (HER 5161 and 5149), Sailor's Bethel (HER 1949), Victoria Tunnel (HER 4091) and Blenkinsopp Coulson Fountain. Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site (HER 201 and 202) runs through the upper part of the Conservation Area. Other sites include Byker Road Bridge (HER 1945), Ouseburn Culvert (HER 5046), Flint Mill Bridge (HER 5581), Metro Bridge (HER 9775), Cumberland Arms (HER 7989), Stepney Bank Stables (HER 5473), Ship Inn (HER 9879), Wood's Pottery and Upper Steenberg's Yard (HER 5280), Ballast Hills Graveyard (HER 1597), Maynard's Toffee Factory (HER 5472), Allan House (HER 5579), Tyne Public House (HER 9958), Ouseburn Mission House (HER 5583).
Site Type: Broad
Settlement
SITEDESC
Designated in October 2000. The Lower Ouseburn Valley forms one of the main cradles of the Industrial Revolution on Tyneside and is subsequently rich in industrial heritage. Since the C17 the area has supported a splendid array of glass-works, lead, iron, soap, limeworks, mills and potteries which by the late C19 stood next to housing beneath the rail and road bridges. As a transport route the Ouse Burn was very effective, its tidal nature permitting wherries and barges to travel up the river. Processing industries in the valley relied on the river for delivery of raw materials and export of finished products. Mills and warehouses were built right up against the river's edge and incorporated slipways and shoring for boats and loading equipment. The river was also a source of power and mill races were constructed to harness the river to drive waterwheels. Industries were based on the availability of ballast generated by the coal trade. Glassmaking was the first industry in the valley with three glasshouses established by 1619. By the mid C17 bricklayers, potters, plumbers, brewers, felt makers and bakers had established themselves next to the glasshouses. The pottery industry located here in 1782, and culminated in the establishment of the Maling Pottery on Ford Street in C19. By the end of the C18 commercial industrial activity expanded to accommodate shipbuilding, masonry, hairdressers, tailors and shoemakers. Lead works and iron foundries established themselves in the valley in the C19, along with paint works, soap manufacturers, copperas works, tanners, swa mills, corn mills and flint mills. The valley's success was a result of the trade network system - on Stepney Bank for instance, slaughterhouses, bone and glue works, butchers and tanners stood side by side so very little of the animal was wasted. Likewise lead works produced white lead which was used by nearby paint works. The area provided substantial employment being a self-contained community with brick terraces, a doctor's practice, school and around 15 public houses. As a result of improvements in transport (road and rail networks) the traditional industry of the valley became redundant by the end of WW2. The population was gradually rehoused outside the valley and in the 1960s many buildings were demolished. The Conservation Area includes several listed buildings - Ouseburn Railway Viaduct (HER 4327), Ouseburn School (HER 5580), piers and railings (HER 9137) and caretaker's cottage (HER 8852), Crawford's Bridge (HER 1946), 30 and 36 Lime Street (HER 5161 and 5149), Sailor's Bethel (HER 1949), Victoria Tunnel (HER 4091) and Blenkinsopp Coulson Fountain. Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site (HER 201 and 202) runs through the upper part of the Conservation Area. Other sites include Byker Road Bridge (HER 1945), Ouseburn Culvert (HER 5046), Flint Mill Bridge (HER 5581), Metro Bridge (HER 9775), Cumberland Arms (HER 7989), Stepney Bank Stables (HER 5473), Ship Inn (HER 9879), Wood's Pottery and Upper Steenberg's Yard (HER 5280), Ballast Hills Graveyard (HER 1597), Maynard's Toffee Factory (HER 5472), Allan House (HER 5579), Tyne Public House (HER 9958), Ouseburn Mission House (HER 5583).
Site Name
Lower Ouseburn Valley Conservation Area
Site Type: Specific
Town Quarter
SITE_STAT
Conservation Area
HER Number
11417
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
Newcastle City Council, 2004, Lower Ouseburn Valley Conservation Area Character Statement
YEAR1
2008
English, British
Class
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
11415
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
426700
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568030
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
Walled garden shown on OS first edition of 1858.
Site Type: Broad
Garden
SITEDESC
Walled garden shown on OS first edition of 1858.
Site Name
Benton Lodge, walled garden
Site Type: Specific
Walled Garden
HER Number
11416
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 31
YEAR1
2008
English, British
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
11416
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
426930
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568180
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
A large Victorian house in extensive grounds. Once occupied by the Smith's family of Smiths Docks. In 1887 it was occupied by Miss Elizabeth Anderson. Later residents were accountant, Alfred Carr, later still Sir Neville and Lady Hadcock. The site is now occupied by houses.
Site Type: Broad
House
SITEDESC
A large Victorian house in extensive grounds. Once occupied by the Smith's family of Smiths Docks. In 1887 it was occupied by Miss Elizabeth Anderson. Later residents were accountant, Alfred Carr, later still Sir Neville and Lady Hadcock. The site is now occupied by houses.
Site Name
Benton Lodge
Site Type: Specific
Country House
HER Number
11415
Form of Evidence
Demolished Building
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 31
YEAR1
2008
English, British
Class
Domestic
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
427870
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MATERIAL
Brick
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568890
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Benton
Description
Large Victorian semi-detached houses built in 1895. Sycamore trees were planted in the road edge rather than in the pavement.
Site Type: Broad
House
SITEDESC
Large Victorian semi-detached houses built in 1895. Sycamore trees were planted in the road edge rather than in the pavement.
Site Name
The Grove
Site Type: Specific
Semi Detached House
HER Number
11414
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 46
YEAR1
2008
English, British
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
DAY2
06
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428030
Grid ref figure
8
LANDUSE
Building
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
MONTH2
11
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
569740
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Forest Hall
Description
Presbyterian Church. Now Christ Church (URC). Built 1886.
Site Type: Broad
Place of Worship
SITEDESC
Presbyterian Church. Now Christ Church (URC). Built 1886. Out of use in 2003. Redeveloped as a block of flats in 2006, incorporating the old tower and spire.
Site Name
Station Road North, Christ Church
Site Type: Specific
Presbyterian Chapel
HER Number
11413
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 63; PF Ryder, 2012, Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting Houses in Newcastle & North Tyneside
YEAR1
2008
YEAR2
2012
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Education
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
427510
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568540
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Longbenton
Description
The Old School House (Rutter's School) and Stackyard Lonnen stood on the site now occupied by Pearson's Garage, opposite the Ship Inn in 1791. Shown on an old engraving.
Site Type: Broad
School House
SITEDESC
The Old School House (Rutter's School) and Stackyard Lonnen stood on the site now occupied by Pearson's Garage, opposite the Ship Inn in 1791. Shown on an old engraving by R P Leitch. In 1769 the Rev. George Stephenson appointed Robert Riddle as school teacher. School fees were 1p per week. In 1791 Thomas Rutter was made schoolmaster. The Clerk's House which Rutter had previously lived in, became the school. Two famous pupils were Robert Stephenson (1781-1859) from 1810 and Thomas Addison (1793-1860), physician and scientist associated with Guy's Hospital in London. Thomas Rutter died in 1812 and his son James took over. In 1820 Rutter had an assistant called James Stewart. James Rutter died in 1831. A new board school was built in Longbenton in 1871 (St. Bartholomew's).
Site Name
Front Street, Old School House (Rutter's School)
Site Type: Specific
School House
HER Number
11412
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 38; engraving shown on http://ih1.redbubble.net; www.douglaskay.co.uk/stbarts/history.html; Samuel Smiles, 1862, Lives of the Engineers with an account of their principal works, Vol 3, page 60 (includes engraving by RP Leitch); Archaeological Services Durham University, 2015, St. Bartholomew's School, Benton - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2008
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Commercial
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
427500
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568570
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
Present in 1899. Later converted to flats. A new Ship Inn was built alongside in 1904. This still stands.
Site Type: Broad
Inn
SITEDESC
Present in 1899. Later converted to flats. A new Ship Inn was built alongside in 1904. This still stands. Has tall brick chimneys with stone detailing. Art Nouveau iron hoppers and downcomers. The doors have stone surrounds and richly moulded hoods.
Site Name
Front Street, Ship Inn
Site Type: Specific
Inn
HER Number
11411
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 34, 35, 36
YEAR1
2008
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Education
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
427480
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568520
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
Built in 1871. Longbenton National School is shown on OS second edition map. Extended in 1889. Demolished in 1973 to make way for a new Longbenton Church of England Aided First School.
Site Type: Broad
School
SITEDESC
Opened on 28 April 1871. Longbenton National School is shown on OS second edition map. The first headmaster was Mr W. Hargreaves. His wife taught the infants. In 1873 William Banks took over as headmaster. His wife was sewing mistress. The school was said to have low standards and poor behaviour. In 1895 the school was reported as being inefficient and William Banks resigned with ill health. Mr C Wilde took over. In 1898 Arthur Lund Walker took over. There were 225 pupils at the school. Discipline and standards improved. Extended in 1899 - a large classroom, a small room and a cloakroom area at the east end of the school. From 1911 the school was run by Robert Nichol. He died in 1925 and was taken over by William Wade. Demolished in 1973 to make way for a new Longbenton Church of England Aided First School. The railings still survive from the 1871 school and gate piers with 'boys' and 'girls' inscribed on them.
Site Name
Front Street, National School
Site Type: Specific
National School
HER Number
11410
Form of Evidence
Demolished Building
Sources
W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 33 and 34; D.J. Scott, The History of Longbenton Church of England School; www.douglaskay.co.uk/stbarts/history.html; Archaeological Services Durham University, 2015, St. Bartholomew's School, Benton - Archaeological Assessment
SURVIVAL
None
YEAR1
2008
English, British
AREA_STAT
Conservation Area
Class
Transport
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
427350
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ26NE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
568470
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Victorian 1837 to 1901
Place
Longbenton
Description
The tollgate and tollgate stood at the top of Coach Lane opposite St. Aidan's Catholic Church. It cost a penny to use the road by foot and three pence for carts.
Site Type: Broad
Road Transport Site
SITEDESC
The tollgate and tollgate stood at the top of Coach Lane opposite St. Aidan's Catholic Church. It cost a penny to use the road by foot and three pence for carts.
Site Name
Front Street, toll gate and house
Site Type: Specific
Toll House
HER Number
11409
Form of Evidence
Demolished Building
Sources
W.G. Elliott, Bygone Days of Longenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor, Killingworth, Palmersville and Benton Square, Book 2, p 7
SURVIVAL
None
YEAR1
2008
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
N Tyneside
Easting
428200
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ27SE
MONTH1
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570290
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
20th Century 1901 to 2000
Place
Forest Hall
Description
A guidepost and lampost set into a circular metal horse trough with four ornate legs. Used to be in the centre of the road, acting as a roundabout, but moved to one side of the road in 1984 and is now planted with flowers.
Site Type: Broad
Road Transport Site
SITEDESC
A guidepost and lamppost set into a circular metal horse trough with four ornate legs. Used to be in the centre of the road, acting as a roundabout, but moved to one side of the road in 1984 and is now planted with flowers.
Site Name
Clousden Hill, guidepost
Site Type: Specific
Signpost
HER Number
11408
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
W.G. Elliott, Bygone Days of Longenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor, Killingworth, Palmersville and Benton Square, Book 2, p 62; W.G. Elliott and Edwin Smith, Bygone Days of Longbenton, Benton, Forest Hall, West Moor and Killingworth, p 67