Early 19th century, altered. Incised render, Welsh slate roof, later 19th century sashes and pub front. DATES Present on 1822 map LOCAL LIST

This stately and substantial presbytery bears comparison with Ford House (St Wilfrid’s Presbytery), which is also Locally Listed, in terms of proportions and the use of snecked stonework and solid window and door surrounds. It departs from this building, however, in terms of roof form, which here utilises the multiple gables, with improbably delicate finials keying bargeboards which is seen more commonly in the Derwent Crook area. Timber sashes of various ages grace the window openings, and extremely substantial quoins create neat, robust corners. The detail is concentrated on the front elevation, with the sides remaining plan and unornamented, and the crowning slate roof, with solid but slender stone chimneys completes the picture. The initialled shield (featuring ‘JF’) and datestone add interest to the façade, as does the simple semi-circular arched moulded detail housing a coloured illustration above the door. The simple gate piers are yet attractive, and the garden offers an important setting to the building. Overall a pleasing composition, very characteristic of the simple, immovable character native to this area, which was so proximal to the sandstone quarries from which their walls were hewn. MATERIALS Sandstone DATES 1875 LOCAL LIST

This particularly impressive example of late 19th century board school architecture is embellished by ornate cupolas and spires, and retains its characteristic original windows. It is a large and imposing building, which could accommodate the necessary high numbers of children on 2 levels, in classroom ranged around a central hall. It is finely detailed, which relieves the grand scale significantly, with nice sandstone features enhancing the key design elements. The scale is also counterbalanced by the high degree of animation to the elevation, with a profusion of gables in a heady mix of styles – ranging from slightly dutch influenced details with elegant curving and cornices, simple barge-boarded examples, and some with parapets. Classical influences are also apparent in the beautifully moulded Palladian style Serlianos (Venetian windows) to the attic.rooms. The exuberant and complete bell turrets are the crowning glory of the piece, in slate and lead. The natural materials make an especially important contribution to the character of the piece. Altogether, it is a fine and robust example of the work of the practice established by most noted school architect in the area : Thomas Oliver. MATERIALS Red brick, sandstone, slate, timber ARCHITECT Oliver & Leeson DATES 1897 It was used as an emergency rest centre during WWII. LOCAL LIST

First owner was Joseph Swan (No. 225). LOCAL LIST

Coursed stone. Welsh Slate roof. Heavy lintels to modern windows. Raised ashlar door surrounds. DATES 1855 on plaque: Alma Vale LOCAL LIST

LOCAL LIST

This characterful 2 storey terrace was originally known as Kells Place. Cottages were present on a map of 1820, and these are likely to have been the same buildings. The 5 buildings are very varied and vernacular in character, with an assortment of proportions and simple, homely detail. They are in coursed stonework dressed to different qualities, with substantial cills and lintels, and some substantial quoins. The degree of variation suggests that the terrace was developed piecemeal during the early 19th century, rather than as a whole. The roofs are of Welsh slate, and the windows have mow been mostly altered. They are of significant importance as some of the earliest stone dwellings on the fell – exhibiting the pleasing simple, robust appearance and weathered colouring that only buildings of this time and once wild location and can convey. MATERIALS Sandstone, Welsh slate, timber DATES Cottages on site 1820 LOCAL LIST

This attractive and intriguing row of well-built stone residences is one of the earliest surviving developments in the area, as at the time they were constructed most of the buildings in the vicinity were poorly made, and later removed during the enclosure of Gateshead Fell. An possible exception to this are the houses at Kells Place (No. 137-147 Kells Lane) which are also in place by the 1st Edition OS map (c1858), but these are likely to post-date the enclose of the Fell. No. 3 was the first to be built, constructed for Thomas Barrass around 1800 (a lease of 1803 survives describing the dwelling house lately built) at Kells Field (‘but is now separated and divided therefrom’). The adjacent houses were later added for members of his family - probably by his son Samuel who was a local colliery viewer. There was a well in garden of 1-2, which would have given the houses their own water supply. The distinctive detailing is fine, and varies between the properties, but all are in the sandstone available from quarries nearby. The oldest building is the most grand – double-fronted with step moulded solid window surrounds and an attractive but simple solid doorcase with cornice. The stonework is nicely dressed and laid in courses – most of which are large blocks of stone (which may have been more expensive) but with diminishing courses towards the top, beneath the lead-lined stone guttering. The door is fine with a distinctive 12 panel arrangement, featuring square panels interspersed with rectangular ones and flat panels to the base. It is uncertain whether this is original, but it is certainly quite historic. Nos. 1 and 2 are stylistically later, with a pairing arrangement showing that the houses were built together, with the doors sharing a double surround, and the lower windows paired. The detailing involves chamfer mouldings and eared architraves – a stylistic feature which can be seen elsewhere in Low Fell. The cast iron rainwater goods have been retained, as has a wonderful gas lamp in the grounds. There is a variety of attractive ironwork of differing dates, including some rather elaborate Victorian work leading to the garden with cast intermediates and cheerfully curved fleur-de-lys derivative finials – the whole set in a solid stone plinth. There is an air of seclusion about the buildings, as they are accessed from a private entrance at the end of Kellfield Road (originally a private carriage road), so that the site has remained intact despite many the development growing up around it over 2 centuries. The status of the dwellings is clear, through the squat but sturdy gate piers (which may have been moved from a location further south, at the entrance to no. 3). These make clear that there were separate entrances for carriages and those on foot, implying that there was also a carriage turning circle within the grounds, although this is not visible on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey of about 1858. Of particular importance is the remarkably large private garden enjoyed by no.3, which appears to have been associated with this dwelling since the beginning. The 1st OS map shows a formally laid-out garden, with avenues of trees and pathways, both adjacent to the house and to the piece of land to the west. The garden opposite nos. 1 and 2 is also formally laid out, with a geometric form reminiscent of old knot gardens. They appear to have included a variety of trees, including some depicted as smaller, which may have been fruit trees. The garden to no. 3 later included a tennis lawn. These special buildings (in particular no. 3) are a great historical and architectural asset to the area, and a real hidden gem. MATERIALS Sandstone, slate, timber DATES c1800 (No.3) Before 1822? (Nos. 1 & 2) LOCAL LIST

Opened in 1937. This is a rare example of an open-air school in England, for children with tuberculosis. Fresh air was important so teaching was conducted outdoors. The buildings were only used in bad weather, for meals and medical inspections. LISTED GRADE 2

This pleasing group of stone cottages is part of the historic core of Whickham. Likely to have been built in the 18th century, their eaves are closely laid above the upper floor windows, which have stone cills and lintels but have lost their original sashes. The stonework is coursed and dressed, with remarkably large ashlar quoins surrounding the window and door openings. Number 4, however, has The roofs are now of Welsh slate, with substantial stone chimneys, but could have originally been pantiled. The houses are irregularly sized, number 3 being narrow with 2 bays, and number 5 a larger 2 bay property. Number 4 is the most distinguished: the largest at 3 bays, with a canted stone bay added in the centre and 1 over 1 timber sashes with pull handles (the most harmonious with the original design of the buildings). The small gardens to the front are historic plots, and enhance the properties, setting them back from the street thus making them more visible and appreciable. Some slim stone gate piers remain (from an uncertain date) to the front of the gardens connected by a very low stone plinth, and although somewhat worn they make a special contribution to the character of the group. Overall they are simple in design but of good quality, evoking the character of the old village and making an important contribution to the Whickham Conservation Area. MATERIALS Sandstone, Welsh slate LOCAL LIST