Northern buildings are all Greek to us

Jan 6 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

Classical look

GREEK-INSPIRED classical buildings in the North East include:

1. Gibside Chapel near Rowlands Gill. Architect James Paine. Begun c.1760. Completed 1812.

2. Moot Hall, Newcastle, opposite the Castle Keep. Built in 1812 as courtrooms and prison by John and William Stokoe.

3. Guildhall, Newcastle Quayside. Extension of 1823. Architect John Dobson.

4. Literary and Philosophical Society building, Westgate Road, Newcastle 1822-25. Architect John Green.

5. Theatre Royal, Newcastle. Architects John and Benjamin Green, 1836-37.

6. Penshaw Monument. Built to honour the Liberal politician John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham. Architects John and Benjamin Green, c.1844. Initially this building was going to be a direct copy of the Temple of Hephaistos in Athens. However, this did not look right on Penshaw hill and the architects significantly enlarged the proportions.

7. Monkwearmouth Station, now museum, Sunderland. Architect Thomas Moore, 1848.

8. Grey Street, Newcastle. Often cited as one of the best streets in the country, illustrates how the classical style dominates the city centre.

9. Arriva Bus depot, Portland Terrace, Newcastle: Greek Doric front.

10. Town centre pubs in South Shields with ancient Greek influence include Ye Olde Sportsman, Ship and Royal pub, The Criterion and The Scotia, plus the Customs House at Mill Dam.

Temple style

BELSAY Hall in Northum- berland was built in 1817 by Sir Charles Monck to reflect his fascination with Greek architecture.

As part of a seven-month honeymoon journey, he visited the Temple of Theseus, which he used as his inspiration for Belsay Hall.

The building’s Pillar Hall echoes the interior of a Greek temple, while Sir Charles designed the entrance to emphasise the hall’s two great columns and reinforce the temple image.