Northumberland Street

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. However, some electronic maps still show this part as an accessible road.

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.

10th November 2021

Carlisle House, 12 Northumberland Street.

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.

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2nd July 2017

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19th April 2016

Digital Video Screen Installation.

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25th December 2013

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23rd March 2013

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15th March 2009

Fenwick's Department Store.

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22nd June 2008

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. Grade II Listed. Source: Sitelines.
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

Marks and Spencer.

North of Northumberland Road Junction.

Eldon Square Shopping Centre Entrance.

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More Information:

• Wikipedia - Northumberland Street
• Sitelines - Northumberland Street
• Co-Curate - Northumberland Street
• Sitelines - Northumberland Street, Fenwick's
• Sitelines - Northumberland Street, 'Heralds'
• Sitelines - Northumberland Street, No. 12, Carlisle House
• Sitelines - Northumberland Street, BHS, wall relief
• Co-Curate - 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 Road
• Blackett Street
• Haymarket
• Haymarket - Metro Station Redevelopment
• Haymarket - Shoulder To Shoulder (Lego Men)
• New Bridge St West
• Percy Street
• Pilgrim Street Redevelopment
• Pilgrim Street
• Ridley Place