Newcastle has dozens of striking buildings - old and new, but are these the top 10 in the city? One man thinks so
Anyone who knows Newcastle will also know it is home to an incredible array of buildings - old and new.
And one man who knows that fact more than most is local historian, photographer and writer, Steve Ellwood.
His latest book, Newcastle in 50 Buildings, is published by Amberley.
It's a tall order, but we asked Steve to come up with his top 10 Newcastle buildings.
He said: "It was difficult enough to come up with 50 of my favourite buildings of Newcastle for my book, never mind having to trim that down to the top 10.
"Anyway, here goes with these buildings which in my opinion are part of our rich heritage and we would be worse off without them."
1. All Saints Church
Proudly standing above the Quayside is the neo-classical church of All Saints,
built between 1757 and 1796 to a design by Newcastle architect David Stephenson, replacing an earlier medieval church known as All Hallows. Unfortunately the building is no longer in use and its structural
condition means it is now on the At Risk register.
Hopefully a use will be found for the building.
2. Old Assembly Rooms
Newcastle's oldest place or social interaction both in the 18th and 21st centuries. Standing on Fenkle Street, it was designed by William Newton and built between 1774 and 1776. In the 1960s the existence of the building was threatened and plans had been made for its demolition. Fortunately the Michaelides brothers, Micahel and Homer, purchased the building and over the years restored it to its former glory.
3. Bessie Surtees House
Reowned as the building for which Bessie Surtees eloped with John Scott, it is a fine example of a 17th century Quayside merchants house. the present building supersedes the house of Robert Rhodes, a wealthy lawyer who owned property on the site in the 15th century. Currently used as the offices of Historic England, it has free public access on weekdays only.
4. Blackfriars Dominican Friary
One of Newcastle's hidden gems, located between Stowell Street and Low Friar Street and dating from the 13th century. While parts of the friary were destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Another building threatened with potential demolition in the 1960s, but thankfully saved and renovated in the 1980s.
5. Castle Keep
The earliest building surviving in Newcastle, having being built between 1168 and 1179. Standing in its position overlooking the River Tyne, the invading Roman Army first built a fort here in the second century to defend their wooden bridge, Pons Aelius. In the 11th century a motte and baily castle was built by the Norman invaders. Amazing to think the Victorians considered the demolition of the Keep to make way for the Newcastle to Edinburgh railway.
6. Central Station
A classical building designed largely by Newcastle architect John Dobson and erected between 1824 and 1850. Due to overrunning costs, the Dobson-designed Portico was not completed, instead being modified by the North East Railway's architect Thomas Prosser and built in 1863. The portico has in recent years been converted into a retail area and makes a change from the days when taxis plied their tradeat the entrance to the station.
7. Civic Centre
To some people - the Civic Centre is a favourite Newcastle building. It was designed by the Newcastle City Council architect, GW Kneyon, the building was officially opened in 1968.
The total cost was £4.8 million which represented the very best of available materials being used to ensure both its grandeur and longevity. The impressive River God Tyne bronze sculpture by David Wynne, which is located on an exterior wall adjacent to the Council Chamber, used to act as a fountain with water running from its raised right arm. Unfortunately that function no longer works.
8. St Nicholas' Cathedral Church
A church has existed on this site since at least the 11th century, with the present building dating from the 14th century with various additions and modifications having been made in subsequent years. The church became a cathedral during 1882. The cathedral is well worth a visit. It has free access, although voluntary donations are welcome and internally it contains a large number of historical memorials such as the Thornton Brass, a monumental brass cover from the tomb of Roger Thornton and his wife Agnes which was previously in All Saints Church.
9. Theatre Royal
Standing on Grey Street is the impressive Theatre Royal, built in 1837 as part of Richard Grainger's development of the town centre and designed by architect father and son, John and Benjamin Green. The free-standing building occupies an oblong plot, bounded by Grey Street, Market Street and Shakespeare Street. The foundations for the theatre were laid in July 1836 and initial plans were made for construction to take six months, in the event it took seven - quite a feat given the scale of the building.
10. Tyne Bridge
The iconic landmark which, to me, fundamentally represents Newcastle upon Tyne, is the first thing I look out for when travelling back from the south by train and it gives the feeling of being back home. Officially named The New Tyne Bridge, it was built between 1925 and 1928 - engineers being Mott, Hay and Anderson with the architect being Newcastle-based Robert Burns Dick. Work commenced in August 1925 and caused many buildings, both housing and commercial to be demolished on both sides of the Tyne. Even St Mary's Church in Gateshead hasd to give up part of its churchyard.
So, there we have it - Steve Ellwoods' top 10 Newcastle buildings. They're all pretty impressive but do you agree with him?
Check out Newcastle in 50 Buildings, by Steve Ellwood, Amberley Publishing, £14.99.
Also, River Tyne by Steve Ellwood, Amberley Publishing, £16.99.