New Pevsner guide to Newcastle and Gateshead launched

Oct 21 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

VISITING Tyneside in the 1950s as part of his 46-volume Buildings of England series, architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner came up with two telling comments.

In Newcastle, he saw “thickets of factory, warehouse and slum”.

And of the city’s cross-river neighbour, he wrote: “No one would choose to investigate the sights of Gateshead for fun.”

Architectural historian Grace McCombie, who lives in Gosforth in Newcastle, followed in Pevsner’s footsteps as co-author of a 1992 revision of the Northumberland and Newcastle volume.

Now her new Pevsner series guide to Newcastle and Gateshead has been launched, the first time the series has crossed county boundaries.

Speaking yesterday, Grace contrasted what Pevsner saw in the 1950s with what visitors see today.

She said: “That was the past. And how things have changed.

“Today visitors see a clean river, splendid new and restored buildings, attractive public places and lively sculpture.

“This new book celebrates a great conurbation.”

The book details the history and origins of every worthy building and public place in Newcastle and Gateshead, from the very old to the very new.

They include Trinity House and its courtyard, just off Newcastle Quayside, which are a marvellous mix of history, including a recently-dated 14th century stone house and the main concentration of 18th century buildings.

Trinity House in Broad Chare is one of Grace’s favourite spots.

She said: “It reflects Newcastle’s history. Trinity House was the body which helped run the river for Newcastle Corporation, and if it wasn’t for the river, Newcastle wouldn’t be what it is.”

The book also includes prefab houses in Aidan Walk in Gosforth, built to last 10 years under the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act of 1944 and which are still going strong today.

At yesterday’s launch, Newcastle City Council leader John Shipley revealed that the prefabs are among the most popular houses run by Your Homes Newcastle.