West Acres

Originally known as Benwell West Park, the mansion house was likely constructed after 1859 in North East Leazes field. Farrier has identified the house as being occupied by James Shield, its builder, until at least 1879 from the Newcastle Courant and Kelly's Directory. The house, in the interim renamed Westacres, became a separate estate in 1888 when it was sold along with 7 acres and 4 perches of its surrounding land to Sir Benjamin Chapman Browne for £6000 by Percy Graham Buchanan Westmacott. According to Farrier, the house was built of red brick and stone and faced east with an ornamental garden on the western side. The grounds were well wooded with a lodge and stable block at the entrance.
Sir Benjamin C. Browne, the former Mayor of Newcastle, his wife: Lady Annie Browne and their extensive family were the only occupants of Westacres. Sir Benjamin, a solicitor and company director, died in March 1917. His widow lived on until 1929. A note in Northumberland Archives, identified by Farrier, contains a letter of complaint, dated 17 July 1898, sent to James Shield regarding damage caused by subsidence.
Following the death of Lady Annie Browne, the estate was sold to Harry Kindred, a local builder, who demolished the house and built the present West Acres Crescent estate of 65 houses built to order between 1930 and 1938. The former gardener’s cottage at the north west corner and the stone boundary wall in Fox and Hounds Lane of the former 19th century estate remain extant. The estate lodge at the former carriage drive entrance onto West Road across from the old Fox and Hounds Inn and was used by Kindred as as a site office.