A hangar, dating to the Second World War RAF use of the airport. Other RAF camp buildings, such as a wooden control tower on stilts, have gone. Tyne and Wear Museums have recorded this World War Two aircraft hangar in advance of airport redevelopment. The airport opened as the civilian Woolsington Airfield in 1935. It incorporated an art deco clubhouse (which still survives and is on the Local List), hangar, workshops, fuel garage and grass runway. The RAF Volunteer Reserve and the Civil Air Guard also used the airfield. At the onset of World War 2 it was taken over by the RAF and became a satellite station for the bases at Acklington and Ouston. In 1940 83 Maintenance Unit was established at RAF Woolsington along with 281 Squadron Air-Sea Rescue. Training Unit 62 trained radar operators for night fighter squadrons. 72 Fighter Squadron from RAF Acklington maintained detachments at Woolsington to mount night patrols. The Bellman hangar would have housed the RAF aircraft during the war. Bellman hangars were designed to be transportable and easily and quickly erected by unskilled labour. They were mass-produced to an Air Ministry design and are well documented by the Ministry of Defence. Today the hangar houses light aircraft. Recorded ahead of demolition in 2008 by TWM. It was noted as being a steel frame covered with corrugated metal sheeting.
Site Type: Broad
Air Transport Site
SITEDESC
A hangar, dating to the Second World War RAF use of the airport. Other RAF camp buildings, such as a wooden control tower on stilts, have gone {1}. Tyne and Wear Museums have recorded this World War Two aircraft hangar in advance of airport redevelopment. The airport opened as the civilian Woolsington Airfield in 1935. It incorporated an art deco clubhouse (which still survives and is on the Local List), hangar, workshops, fuel garage and grass runway. The RAF Volunteer Reserve and the Civil Air Guard also used the airfield. At the onset of World War 2 it was taken over by the RAF and became a satellite station for the bases at Acklington and Ouston. In 1940 83 Maintenance Unit was established at RAF Woolsington along with 281 Squadron Air-Sea Rescue. Training Unit 62 trained radar operators for night fighter squadrons. 72 Fighter Squadron from RAF Acklington maintained detachments at Woolsington to mount night patrols. The Bellman hangar would have housed the RAF aircraft during the war. Bellman hangars were designed to be transportable and easily and quickly erected by unskilled labour. They were mass-produced to an Air Ministry design and are well documented by the Ministry of Defence. Today the hangar houses light aircraft. This building was formerly on the Newcastle local list, but was recorded ahead of demolition in 2008 by TWM. It was noted as being a steel frame covered with corrugated metal sheeting.
Site Name
Newcastle Airport, Bellman hangar
Site Type: Specific
Hangar
HER Number
4928
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
<< HER 4928 >> The Archaeological Practice, 1997, Newcastle International Airport, Cultural Heritage Assessment;
J. Sleight, Small Enough to Conquer the Sky - Jim Denyer, 'Mr Newcastle Airport';
Tyne and Wear Museums, 2008, The Bellman Hangar, Newcastle International Airport - Historic Building Recording
SURVIVAL
None
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2022
English, British
Class
Transport
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Rachel Grahame
CONDITION
Destroyed
Crossref
5676
DAY1
15
DAY2
13
District
Newcastle
Easting
419420
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ17SE
MONTH1
01
MONTH2
05
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570910
parish
Woolsington
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Mid 20th Century 1933 to 1966
Place
Woolsington
Description
An attractive and unusual art deco building of 1935 by Sir Stephen Easten (paralleled stylistically by a more grandiose airport building at Birmingham). The symmetry of the frontage of the building which faces west onto the airport apron has been broken by additions as has the southern wing which has been extended. The adjacent hangar to the north of the clubhouse is also of pre-war date; constructed along with the clubhouse in 1935. When the airport was officially opened in July 1935, the opening day programme described the clubhouse as containing "a large lounge, dining room, hall, buffet, sanitary conveniences for both sexes, residential accommodation for the steward and sleeping quarters for a limited number of visitors". Along with the adjacent hangar there were originally workshops, offices, ambulance room, petrol and oil stores, a garage for fire tender and a sewage disposal plant.
Site Type: Broad
Air Transport Site
SITEDESC
An attractive and unusual art deco building of 1935 by Sir Stephen Easten (paralleled stylistically by a more grandiose airport building at Birmingham). The symmetry of the frontage of the building which faces west onto the airport apron has been broken by additions as has the southern wing which has been extended. The adjacent hangar to the north of the clubhouse is also of pre-war date; constructed along with the clubhouse in 1935. When the airport was officially opened in July 1935, the opening day programme described the clubhouse as containing "a large lounge, dining room, hall, buffet, sanitary conveniences for both sexes, residential accommodation for the steward and sleeping quarters for a limited number of visitors". Along with the adjacent hangar there were originally workshops, offices, ambulance room, petrol and oil stores, a garage for fire tender and a sewage disposal plant.
This building was formerly on the Newcastle local list, but was demolished c.2010 (Google Earth Pro aerial photos).
Site Name
Newcastle Airport, Aero Club House & hangar
Site Type: Specific
Terminal Building
HER Number
4927
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
<< HER 4927 >> The Archaeological Practice, 1997, Newcastle International Airport, Cultural Heritage Assessment
J. Sleight, Small Enough to Conquer the Sky - Jim Denyer, 'Mr Newcastle Airport'
SURVIVAL
None
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2022
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
Crossref
4850
DAY1
15
District
Newcastle
Easting
420710
EASTING2
2005
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ27SW
MONTH1
01
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
570310
NORTHING2
7108
parish
Woolsington
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Woolsington
Description
Extensive tracts of broad ridge and furrow cultivation, some cropmarks, some earthworks, can be seen on aerial photographs to the south of Sunnyside Farm and north of Woolsington Park.
Site Type: Broad
Cultivation Marks
SITEDESC
Extensive tracts of broad ridge and furrow cultivation; some cropmarks, some earthworks, can be seen on aerial photographs to the south of Sunnyside Farm and north of Woolsington Park.
In 2018 ridge and furrow was identified in a geophysical survey of the site for the proposed Kingston Village. The presence of medieval to post-medieval ridge and furrow was identified during an evaluation conducted in 2019.
Site Name
Sunnyside Farm, medieval ridge and furrow
Site Type: Specific
Broad Ridge and Furrow
HER Number
4926
Form of Evidence
Earthwork
Sources
<< HER 4926 >> The Archaeological Practice, 1997, Newcastle International Airport, Cultural Heritage Assessment;
Tyne and Wear Musuems, 2008, Newcastle Airport, Southside Development - Archaeological Evaluation;
Archaeological Services, Durham University 2018. Kingston Village, Newcastle upon Tyne, geophysical survey, report 4912; Archaeological Services Durham University, 2019. Kingston Village, Newcastle upon Tyne: archaeological evaluation, report 4978;
Durham University 2019. Kingston Village, Newcastle upon Tyne, heritage statement report 4906;
YEAR1
2001
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
DAY2
23
District
Newcastle
Easting
419980
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ17SE
MATERIAL
Brick
MONTH1
01
MONTH2
01
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570950
parish
Woolsington
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Woolsington
Description
Group of agricultural buildings north of the listed stable block. The older stone built buildings are the south east part of the group. The main building is a one and a half storey block built of brick with a stone gable. It has a Welsh slate roof with clay copes. The eastern gable was built of stone with some stone on the return wall. The eastern end has an unusual cope detail formed with triangular stones. At the head of this gable a brick chimney has been inserted, maybe a rebuild of an earlier stone chimney. The line of the flue from the upper storey is evident. On the east elevation is an informal arrangement of openings, each with original stone lintels. There is a loading platform on one of the first floor openings. On the ground floor the southern opening is blocked with stone. The building has been extended westwards in brick to at least double its original length. This block has been cut off at its west end and finished with a block work wall when the modern portal frame barn was built. To the south of the central building is a shed with asbestos cement profiled sheet roof. The walls are brick and stone. To the west of this is a farm building with two three centred arches built of brick. The outer wall was to the west. It formed a narrow block of cart sheds.
Site Type: Broad
Farm
SITEDESC
Group of agricultural buildings north of the listed stable block. The older stone built buildings are the south east part of the group. The main building is a one and a half storey block built of brick with a stone gable. It has a Welsh slate roof with clay copes. The eastern gable was built of stone with some stone on the return wall. The eastern end has an unusual cope detail formed with triangular stones. At the head of this gable a brick chimney has been inserted, maybe a rebuild of an earlier stone chimney. The line of the flue from the upper storey is evident. On the east elevation is an informal arrangement of openings, each with original stone lintels. There is a loading platform on one of the first floor openings. On the ground floor the southern opening is blocked with stone. The building has been extended westwards in brick to at least double its original length. This block has been cut off at its west end and finished with a block work wall when the modern portal frame barn was built. To the south of the central building is a shed with asbestos cement profiled sheet roof. The walls are brick and stone. To the west of this is a farm building with two three centred arches built of brick. The outer wall was to the west. It formed a narrow block of cart sheds.
Site Name
Woolsington Hall, steading
Site Type: Specific
Farmstead
HER Number
4925
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Sources
RPS, Clouston, 1998, Woolsington Hall, Archaeological Assessment;
Simpson & Brown Architects, Feb 2012, Woolsington Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Draft Conservation Plan: Historical Development & Significance
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Defence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
District
Newcastle
Easting
419610
Grid ref figure
8
HISTORY_TOPIC
World Wars
Map Sheet
NZ17SE
MONTH1
01
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570750
parish
Woolsington
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Second World War 1939 to 1945
Place
Woolsington
Description
WW2 pillbox in Woolsington Park.
SITEASS
The pillbox is the most familiar type of C20 defensive building. Sometimes referred to as defence posts, blockhouses or police posts. Concrete pillboxes were first used by the Russians in the Russo-Japanese War. The concept was copied by the Germans in WW1 and later by the British. The majority of WW2 pillboxes were associated with beach defences, stop-lines and nodal points. Some were sited to defend coastal batteries, airfields, radar stations and factories. More than 18,000 were built during 1940. In June 1940 branch FW3 of the War Office Directorate of Fortifications and Works issued designs for about a dozen standard pillboxes. In practice a multiplicity of designs arose. However most pillboxes consist of a basic squat, heavily constructed building, usually flat-roofed, no more than 1.98m high and quadrilateral, polygonal or circular in plan. There were one or two entrances, sometimes protected by a porch or wall. They all have a series of horizontal slits (firing loops, loopholes or embrasures) to provide interlocking fields of fire over the anticipated direction of attack. Most pillboxes were designed for rifles or light machine guns. More heavily armed examples had Vickers machine guns, anti-tank guns or Hotchkiss guns. Pillbox walls are almost invariably of concrete, sometimes with brick shuttering or stone facing {Defence of Britain Handbook, 1995, pp 79-82}.
Site Type: Broad
Fortification
SITEDESC
Second World War reinforced concrete pillbox in Woolsington Park.
Ornamental obelisk in Woolsington Park situated to the west of the drive. Now lost.
Site Name
Woolsington Park, obelisk south of walled garden
Site Type: Specific
Obelisk
HER Number
4923
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
<< HER 4923 >> RPS, Clouston, 1998, Woolsington Hall, Archaeological Assessment; Addyman Archaeology, 2014, Woolsington, Woolsington Park - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Claire MacRae
DAY1
15
DAY2
01
District
Newcastle
Easting
420400
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ27SW
MONTH1
01
MONTH2
10
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570510
parish
Woolsington
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Woolsington
Description
Obelisk in Woolsington Park.
Site Type: Broad
Garden Ornament
SITEDESC
Ornamental obelisk in Woolsington Park situated to the east of the drive was still standing in 2001. This was found lying recumbent at the edge of the woodland to the east of the hall during a walkover survey in 2014.
Site Name
Woolsington Park, obelisk
Site Type: Specific
Obelisk
HER Number
4922
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
<< HER 4922 >> RPS, Clouston, 1998, Woolsington Hall, Archaeological Assessment; Addyman Archaeology, 2014, Woolsington, Woolsington Park - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Industrial
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
DAY2
23
District
Newcastle
Easting
420340
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ27SW
MONTH1
01
MONTH2
01
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570000
parish
Woolsington
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Woolsington
Description
Stone-built waterfall and cascade engineered specifically to add interest to the perimeter woodland. Important part of the development of the lake and its associated water courses in the designed landscape. A weir at the eastern end of the lake discharged to a lined chute to create a waterfall. To the north of this there may have been a sluice which discharged water back into the Ouse Burn.
Site Type: Broad
Power Generation Site
SITEDESC
Stone-built waterfall engineered specifically to add interest to the perimeter woodland. Important part of the development of the lake and its associated water courses in the designed landscape. A weir at the eastern end of the lake discharged to a lined chute to create a waterfall. To the north of this there may have been a sluice which discharged water back into the Ouse Burn.
Site Name
Woolsington Park, cascade
Site Type: Specific
Mill Race
HER Number
4921
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
RPS, Clouston, 1998, Woolsington Hall, Archaeological Assessment; Simpson & Brown Architects, Feb 2012, Woolsington Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Draft Conservation Plan: Historical Development & Significance; Addyman Archaeology, 2014, Woolsington, Woolsington Park - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
DAY2
23
District
Newcastle
Easting
420020
EASTING2
2036
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ27SW
MONTH1
01
MONTH2
01
Grid Reference
NZ
NGR2
NZ
Northing
570020
NORTHING2
7030
parish
Woolsington
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Woolsington
Description
Four bridges within Woolsington Park. The bridge on South Drive (NZ 2002 7002) which crosses the lake requires repair. The abutments are 19th century but the bridge is made from steel beams with a concrete deck. It is possible that the original brisge was iron framed. On the north abutment there is the beginning of an iron arch, suggesting a wide three centred arch. The condition of the abutment parapet walls is poor. The north-east parapet has fallen into the lake below. East of the lake there is a stone ornamental bridge (NZ 2045 7009) over the Ouse Burn which has been rebuilt in the early 20th century. There is another bridge at NZ 1973 7048 and a fourth at NZ 2036 7030. These bridges cross ditches.
Site Type: Broad
Ornamental Bridge
SITEDESC
Four bridges within Woolsington Park. The bridge on South Drive (NZ 2002 7002) which crosses the lake requires repair. The abutments are 19th century but the bridge is made from steel beams with a concrete deck. It is possible that the original bridge was iron framed. On the north abutment there is the beginning of an iron arch, suggesting a wide three centred arch. The condition of the abutment parapet walls is poor. The north-east parapet has fallen into the lake below. East of the lake there is a stone ornamental bridge (NZ 2045 7009) over the Ouse Burn which has been rebuilt in the early 20th century. There is another bridge at NZ 1973 7048 and a fourth at NZ 2036 7030. These bridges cross ditches.
Site Name
Woolsington Park, bridges
Site Type: Specific
Ornamental Bridge
HER Number
4920
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
RPS, Clouston, 1998, Woolsington Hall, Archaeological Assessment; Simpson & Brown Architects, Feb 2012, Woolsington Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Draft Conservation Plan: Historical Development & Significance; Addyman Archaeology, 2014, Woolsington, Woolsington Park - Archaeological Assessment
YEAR1
2001
YEAR2
2014
English, British
Class
Water Supply and Drainage
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
15
DAY2
23
District
Newcastle
Easting
420090
Grid ref figure
8
Map Sheet
NZ27SW
MONTH1
01
MONTH2
01
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
570030
parish
Woolsington
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Hanoverian 1714 to 1837
Place
Woolsington
Description
A long and narrow lake of informal shape with a dam/weir at the eastern end. Formed from the Ouse Burn. It was originally about 50m wide and fringed with large trees. In some places the grass came down to the water. The lake could be seen on either side from the bridge on the South Drive (HER 4920). The bridge formed a pinch point in the shape of the lake. The eastern part of the lake was used for boating. The weir at the eastern end was ornamental with steps next to it. The weir discharged into a lined chute to create a cascade. To the north of this there may have been a sluice which discharged water back into the Ouse Burn. There is a stone brisge which has been rebuilt. An island was formed by the line where the weir discharged and original course of the Burn. On the south bank of the Ouse Burn there is some ashlar walling about three courses high and 3m long. Further east the designed landscape is spoiled by a pipe crossing the Burn on concrete supports. There may be another low weir on the line of this pipe.
Site Type: Broad
Pond
SITEDESC
A long and narrow lake of informal shape with a dam/weir at the eastern end. Formed from the Ouse Burn. It was originally about 50m wide and fringed with large trees. In some places the grass came down to the water. The lake could be seen on either side from the bridge on the South Drive (HER 4920). The bridge formed a pinch point in the shape of the lake. The eastern part of the lake was used for boating. The weir at the eastern end was ornamental with steps next to it. The weir discharged into a lined chute to create a cascade. To the north of this there may have been a sluice which discharged water back into the Ouse Burn. There is a stone bridge which has been rebuilt. An island was formed by the line where the weir discharged and original course of the Burn. On the south bank of the Ouse Burn there is some ashlar walling about three courses high and 3m long. Further east the designed landscape is spoiled by a pipe crossing the Burn on concrete supports. There may be another low weir on the line of this pipe.
Site Name
Woolsington Park, lake
Site Type: Specific
Fishpond
HER Number
4919
Form of Evidence
Structure
Sources
RPS, Clouston, 1998, Woolsington Hall, Archaeological Assessment; Simpson & Brown Architects, Feb 2012, Woolsington Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Draft Conservation Plan: Historical Development & Significance; Addyman Archaeology, 2014, Woolsington, Woolsington Park - Archaeological Assessment