Northumberland Street is the major shopping street in the city of Newcastle. It runs from the Haymarket Interchange Metro station and The Newcastle Civic Centre in the north, towards Pilgrim Street and the Monument Metro station at the south.
In the 18th century Northumberland Street was a suburb of the medieval town, with three-storey brick houses. Originally called Bath Road because it led to the old Northumberland Baths opened in 1839 (replaced 1928). At the north end the remaining houses may be discerned above garish modern shop fronts.
Further south the 20th century takes over. Large shops were developed here in the early 1930s. British Home Stores (now Primark) on the east side, was built in 1967, replacing a 1931 Art Deco block for C and A. On the Northumberland Road façade, there is a large coloured relief by H and J Collins, 1974, depicting scenes from Newcastle's history. Across the street, the 1970's Marks and Spencer is concrete encrusted with grey chippings. On the east corner with Queen Street is a small early C19 house-turned-shop with pargetting added in 1953.
The crossing at Blackett Street was the site of Pilgrim Street Gate on the town wall.
South of Blackett Street, Northumberland Street ends at the junction with Pilgrim Street which runs to the Tyne Bridge. From the opening of the bridge in 1928 until the opening of the Tyne Tunnel in 1967, Northumberland Street was part of the A1 between London and Edinburgh. It was pedestrianised around 1998.
Until 1999, the most northerly section of Northumberland Street from Northumberland Road onwards was still open to traffic and a busy bus route, which led to the shops in this part of the street being much less popular than those farther south. This section is now also pedestrianised in keeping with the remainder of the street.
Delivery traffic is still permitted to drive up Northumberland Street in the early morning to complete deliveries, but, after that, all non-pedestrian traffic is banned, including bicycles and skateboards.
Description courtesy of Wikipedia and Sitelines.
1st May 2025
30th April 2025
Northumberland Street, nos. 15 to 21.
A Preacher.
Improvement Works.
5th November 2024
17th August 2024
Improvement Works.
28th July 2024
Improvement Works.
15th July 2024
Improvement Works.
2nd June 2024
Improvement Works.
The council website (here) states the following... The new designs for the street will not only transform its look and feel but will also address the poor sub-base and quality of pavement that have meant an ongoing need for maintenance and the resulting tarmac patches on the street over the years. As part of the improvement works the tarmac will be removed and the street fully repaved.
That sounds great but it feels like a waste of time if huge lorries are going to continue to use the path as a road.
12th May 2024
Improvement Works.
31st March 2024
Improvement Works.
22nd September 2023
Rough Sleeper outside M&S.
Rough Sleeper outside Sainsbury's Supermarket.
2nd September 2023
11th August 2023
Rough Sleeper outside M&S.
28th July 2023
Northumberland Street, no. 142 to 145.
Northumberland Street, no. 147 to 149.
Northumberland Street, nos. 142 to 145 & 147 to 149.
Early Morning Traffic.
Traffic has destroyed the once great looking pavement which gets repaired with tarmac by the authorities.
17th July 2023
Shaun On The Tyne, no. 8, Candy Baa.
Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne is presented by and raising funds for St Oswald’s Hospice. The charity has partnered with creative producers Wild in Art and Shaun the Sheep creator Aardman. See my Shaun the Sheep on the Tyne page for a lot more Shauns.
Rough Sleeper.
4th July 2023
Northumberland Street, no. 12, Carlisle House.
Carlisle House began life as a 19th Century house. It was later transformed into a shop and now forms part of a bustling shopping street. Its façade is ornately decorated with plaster, which was added in 1953 to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Northumberland Street, nos. 59 to 61.
The stained-glass windows give a clue to the building's past. It was Summerfield the jewellers for over 60 years.
Rough Sleeper.
9th June 2023
Northumberland Street, nos. 64 to 70, Bradburn House.
12th February 2023
Northumberland Street, nos. 16 to 22.
Northumberland Street, nos. 24 to 34, Jackson House.
Northumberland Street, nos. 36 to 44.
Northumberland Street, nos. 46 to 52.
Northumberland Street, nos. 81 to 97 Marks and Spencers.
Northumberland Street, nos. 99 to 101 and 103 to 105.
Northumberland Street, nos. 107 to 109.
Northumberland Street, nos. 111 to 117.
Northumberland Street, nos. 112 to 118.
Northumberland Street, no. 119.
Northumberland Street, no. 122.
Northumberland Street, nos. 123 to 125.
Northumberland Street, nos. 124 to 130.
Northumberland Street, nos. 127 to 129.
Northumberland Street, nos. 131 to 137.
Northumberland Street, nos. 132 to 134.
Northumberland Street, no. 136.
Northumberland Street, nos. 138 to 140.
Northumberland Street, no. 139.
Northumberland Street, nos. 141 to 145 and 147 to 149.
Northumberland Street, no. 142.
Northumberland Street, no. 148 to 150, Provincial House.
Northumberland Street, no. 154 to 162.
10th July 2022
Northumberland Street, nos. 119 and 123 to 125.
Northumberland Street, nos. 124 to 130 and 132 to 134.
Northumberland Street, nos. 131 to 137 and 139.
Northumberland Street, nos. 131 to 137.
10th July 2022
Northumberland Street, no. 139.
Northumberland Street, no. 122.
Northumberland Street, nos. 53 to 55.
Northumberland Street, no. 49 to 51.
Northumberland Street, no. 45.
Shop, formerly Messrs. Boots. Circa 1900. 3 storeys, 3 bays. Renewed ground floor shop front; rusticated pilasters to each floor.
First floor has tripartite sash, with central pediment, flanked by niches; 3 sashes above have keyed architraves and intermediate niches. Cornice to first floor breaks forward over pilasters and over brackets to second floor niches. Broken segmental dentilled pediment breaking forward over the latter niches contains swags, bracket and raised panel. Top blocking course.
Life-size figures in shell-canopied niches are in appropriate period costume and named Sir John Marley, Roger Thornton, Thomas Bewick and Harry Hotspur.
The 4 Statues on the above photo are as follows:
Top Left, Thomas Bewick (1755-1828) was an internationally renowned artist, wood engraver and ornithologist who spent most of his working life in Newcastle. More here Wikipedia, Thomas Bewick.
Top Right, Sir Henry Percy (1366-1403), who, because of his ferocity in combat, was known as Harry Hotspur. He fought in several campaigns against the Scots and the French. More here Wikipedia, Sir Henry Percy
Bottom Left, Sir John Marley (1590-1673) defended Newcastle against the Scots army in 1644. He also served as the mayor of Newcastle after the Civil War and Restoration.
Bottom Right, Roger Thornton (Died around 1429) rose from rags to riches, making his fortune as a merchant. He later became the mayor of Newcastle 3 times and an MP. More here Wikipedia, Roger Thornton
Grade 2 Listed. Source: Sitelines.
10th November 2021
Northumberland Street, no. 12, Carlisle House.
2nd July 2017
19th April 2016
Digital Video Screen Installation.
25th December 2013
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23rd March 2013
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22nd June 2008
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Northumberland Street, no. 45.
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Marks and Spencer.
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North of Northumberland Road Junction.
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Eldon Square Shopping Centre Entrance.
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More Information:
- Wikipedia: Northumberland Street
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street
- Co-Curate: Northumberland Street
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, 'Heralds'
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, no. 12, Carlisle House
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, BHS, wall relief
- Co-Curate: no. 63-65 Northumberland Street
Historical Interest:
- Co-Curate: History of Northumberland Street
- Co-Curate: Callers (furniture store)
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, police box
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Singleton House
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Orphan House (Wesleyan)
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, nos. 111-117, flax pit
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, nos. 147-149, Tatler Cinema
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, City Laundry
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Ord Arms Public House
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Star Hotel Public House
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Oak Leaf Public House
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Concrete and Cement Works
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Forsyth's Buildings
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Royal Victoria Asylum
- Sitelines: Prudhoe Street, Free United Methodist Chapel
- Sitelines: Northumberland Street, Callers' Clock
See my other photos around Northumberland Street:
- Northumberland Street, Fenwicks Christmas Window
- Northumberland Street, Fenwick's Department Store
- Barras Bridge, Royal Tank Regiment War Memorial
- Barras Bridge, The Civic Centre
- Barras Bridge, The Response (War Memorial)
- Blackett Street
- Haymarket
- Haymarket, Metro Station (Redevelopment)
- Haymarket, Shoulder To Shoulder (Lego Men)
- New Bridge Street West
- Northumberland Road
- Percy Street
- Pilgrim Street
- Ridley Place
- Saville Row
- St. Mary's Place
5 comments:
It looks quite a cheery place. I like shops :-)
There is always plenty going on in this street like street entertainers and the like but if I'm honest I hate the place! Far too busy for me.
You will rarely see it as quiet as the photos show.
Although I've been down that street hundreds of time - I don't think I've ever stopped to look at it like you have. You've captured it very well!
Thanks :)
It used to be good for shopping. Sadly the main attractions now are only Fenwicks and Marksies. Uses to have HMV, Next, Burton's, C&A, BHS, Littlewoods, Virgin records it goes on
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