Cowens Upper Brickworks

Local clay was used for the manufacture of bricks in Cowen's two brickworks. The upper brickworks closed some time ago but the lower works (HER ref. 3434) continues production. The upper works were situated about two miles south of the lower works on higher ground, and were connected by a private railway. The brickworks were established about the year 1730 (70 years before that, fireclay was worked at Blaydon Burn and manufactured into bricks at Paradise on the north side of the Tyne). Joseph Cowen took over the Blaydon Burn Pit and Works in 1819. The works comprised two sets of firebrick works and retort making works. Workers cottages were provided at both sites. Some buildings may survive at the upper works site.