Fenham, Barracks

Fenham Barracks (formerly Newcastle Barracks) has almost two centuries of some form of military activity. The building of the barracks was prompted by the Lord Mayor (James Rudmann) writing to the then Home Secretary in 1793 at the instigation of coal and landowners, as well as businessmen, fearing any revolutionary sentiments of the local populace. Agreement was reached between the Newcastle Companies and the Government in 1804 for a total of 11 acres to be rented annually at a rate of £55. The barracks were originally designed to house cavalry and artillery units. The two-storey barracks were designed by James Johnson and John Saunders and construction was complete by April 1806 and cost £40, 000. Room was provided for 271 men and 294 horses or alternatively 601 men and 292 horses. Further expansion was made to the north as a result of army reforms of the 1870s. Buildings created during this phase included hospital, new guardhouse, reading room, married quarters, magazine and messes. Several of the original barrack blocks were demolished in 1938. The barracks wall, guard houses, barracks O block, former officers' mess, barracks P block, former segeants' mess are all listed buildings grade 2; the entrance lodges, walls and gate piers are listed buildings grade 2*. The north guard house has been converted into a restaurent, the officers’ and sergeants’ mess into student accomodation. LISTED GRADE 2 AND 2*