Photographs Of Newcastle: Pilgrim Street

For as long as I can remember Worswick Chambers has been covered in scaffolding but recently the covers, largely, came off this unique building. Forming part of the regeneration of Pilgrim Street, Worswick Chambers will have newly built extensions to the rear in the near future.

I will return for a few more photos when it's totally uncovered.

Around 2010 local history website Sitelines described Worswick Chambers...

Worswick Chambers, Nos 2-12 Worswick Street. Commercial premises with shops and offices. 1891 and 1898 with minor C20 alterations. Designed by W Lister Newcombe of Newcastle. Red brick with ashlar dressings and slate roofs with tall brick chimney stacks. 3 storeys.

Worswick Street facade has 17 windows. Ground floor has central doorway with double panel doors and monumental stone surround with doubled brackets and gabled top over round arch with carved tympanum and lintel inscribed WORSWICK CHAMBERS. Either side various shops some retaining their original pilasters and plain fascia boards.

Upper floors have giant brick Doric pilasters with stone bases and capitals, topped with deep entablature decorated with elaborate carved paired brackets. First floor has 17 large plain sashes set back in ashlar surrounds, above continuous linked and moulded lintels each with a carved portrait head under a gothic gable. Second floor has 17 smaller plain sashes in ashlar surrounds with Caernarvon arched lintels. Projecting cornice topped with stone parapet.

Central tower has single oval window with moulded ashlar surround a steep pyramidal hipped roof.

Pilgrim Street facade has 8 windows with identical facade topped with central 2 window dormer topped with single pediment.

Interior has stone staircase with elaborate iron balustrade and wooden handrail.

This building was built as part of the "new cut" of Worswick Street laid out c1870. It was built in two stages, the first part along Pilgrim Street and the first part of Worswick Street was built from 1891, and the second section further along Worswick Street and the tower was built from 1898. Grade 2 listed.

Description courtesy of Sitelines.

31st March 2024

17th February 2022

25 Carved Stone Heads

An article in The Journal from around 60-70 years ago suggested that the heads were modelled on those of British heroes. It was later found that the heads had been modelled on individuals from stonemason John Rogers, who carved the faces, family’s photograph album. More information at the Chronicle Live link below.

Pilgrim Street from South to North.