Benwell Old House, Benwell Lane

Mansion built late 17th century/early 18th century near the south entrance to Benweel Tower. Rebuilt c. 1838. The first known occupant is Stephen Sparke, a mariner, followed by Ralph Sopwith in 1734. Other owners include George Cuthbert (1755-1809), Joseph Straker (c.1858-1867), A.S. Carr and Ralph Cromwell Gregg (1884-1919). In November 1908 Captain Gregg submitted a planning application to convert the house into two separate properties - the titles Benwell Old House and Benwell Old House West are used thereafter. In 1919 the estate was sold to Mrs Mary Ann Thirlwell for £2500. Mrs Thirlwall was the last private owner of the estate and when she died, in 1942, the house was rented by the City Health Deartment and used as a nursery until 1946. Demolished c. 1955. The Lodge was demolished in June 1965 while the old coach house survived until 1972. May have originally been called Benwell House (HER1862) which changed to Old Benwell House to differentiate it from Benwell House built in the early 1820s on the other side of Benwell Lane. The outline of both the house and coach house were still visible in 2012 as a regularly shaped raised area of grass.