Take a history tour around old Newcastle
NEWCASTLE has a long, rich history and its streets reflect that fact. Take a stroll down Grey Street, and Dean Street and up Side to the Castle Keep, for example, and it’s a walk which encompasses centuries of the city’s fascinating story.
Not that it’s always been a city, of course. That only happened as relatively recently as 1882.
Before that Newcastle was a town and, in fact, many of us still talk about “going to the town”.
It’s certainly worth a walk around the city with “fresh eyes” and taking in the breathtaking range and age of the buildings, from the Castle to the Theatre Royal, and from St James’ Park to St Nicholas’ Cathedral.
Now, an upcoming book by local historian and writer Ken Hutchinson will help those who want to explore the city and its long story. It is Ken’s tenth offering.
Newcastle History Tour provides a unique insight into the illustrious history of our city.
Ken said: “The new book guides us through the streets and alleyways, showing how its famous landmarks used to look and how they’ve changed over the years, as well as exploring its lesser-known sights and hidden corners.
“The book will have a handy location map and readers will be invited to follow a timeline of
The Low Bridge, which was situated on Dean Street close to the steps of St Nicholas’ Cathedral is long gone
events and discover for themselves the changing face of Newcastle.”
The photographs here are just a sample of the many in the book.
Some of the locations are still familiar today, and others not so. Grey’s Monument, the High Level Bridge, and the scene at the Mining Institute have barely changed. Meanwhile, the Low Bridge, which was situated on Dean Street close to the steps leading to St Nicholas’ Cathedral, is long gone.
Similarly, the Infirmary was situated on Forth Banks on the site of the current Centre For Life. Finally demolished in 1954, it was the forerunner of the RVI which had opened in 1906.
Enjoy your tour of Newcastle.
■■Newcastle History Tour, by Ken Hutchinson, Amberley Publishing. £6.99.