This building was listed Grade II in 2000 with the following description:
'Mines rescue station. 1913. Red brick with slate roofs. Two 2 storey blocks linked by a single storey block. Main block has rusticated brick quoins and overhanging slate roof. South front has 2 central round arched doorways with rusticated jambs. Either side are 2 narrow glazing bar windows. Above four 2-light glazing bar casement windows flanked by single narrow glazing bar windows. Left return has 2 lower windows and above 2 glazing bar casement windows. Right return has doorway to left with modern door and to right 3 graduated staircase windows, in the gable a 2-light glazing bar casement window. To rear a single storey block with two small glazing bar windows and above in the gable a Diocletian window in the set-back gable above. Back range has various glazing bar sash windows on the upper floor. INTERIOR retains crawl ways used for practising mine rescues.'
It was built in 1913 as a fire station and mine rescue by the Durham & Northumberland Colliery Owners Association. There are only six such stations in Britain. The mines having largely closed, the station provides rescue services for all types of emergencies plus health and safety training, first aid, confined spaces awareness and fire awareness training. It serves the whole northern region. There is a mock training mine (crawl ways) below the station used for practising rescues.

Within the landscaped estate of Whickham Hermitage was a two storey brick lookout tower, tennis court and boating pond. The pond was 20 x 20 yards square, 5 feet deep and brick-lined with a coating of pitch. There was a Chinese-style bridge, pagoda, boathouse and roofed gate.
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Hermitage Garden was originally the landscaped grounds to the Hermitage (also on the Local List) – a quirky historic house in the centre of Whickham, built in 1790 by Matthew Taylor, a local brewer. The grounds were ample, providing space for an imaginative scheme, and there must have been plentiful resources available to invest in it, as there were various fashionable features. This investment was also shown in the house, where incremental alterations were made over the years. The following description is taken from the Hermitage Garden website:
‘Part of the landscaping of the estate included the erection of a two-storey brick lookout tower, a tennis court, and a boating lake. There was a willow-pattern bridge near the entrance to the boathouse. A pagoda and a roofed gate were also features of the garden. Jonathan Rowe (an amateur local historian) visited the garden in December 2001 and made the following notes. "Nothing remains of the original entrance to the garden. The Hermitage has retained the garden nearest to the rear of the building, but the rest has been left to nature. Out of the original design of the gardens all that remains is the empty lake and the foundation for the willow- pattern bridge. There are still series of foundations and revetments dotted around the area but at this stage it is hard to pinpoint what they once were. The whole area is covered in self-seeded trees including Elder, Sycamore and Birch, not to mention a carpet of brambles."’
The website also describes the recent restoration scheme, which has seen the garden reclaimed from neglect, and brought back into use to be enjoyed as a community resource by the local residents of Whickham. It reads as follows:
‘We have been restoring the garden itself whilst retaining its main original features: a lake with boathouse and a 'willow- pattern' bridge, a watchtower and a pagoda.
The lake has become a wildlife pond. The watchtower has become a toilet for the disabled, a tool store and an office area. The boathouse will double as a greenhouse and storage area. The summerhouse (pagoda) has become a pictorial picture gallery and a showcase for photographs of progress of restoration work in the garden.
A children's vegetable garden has been created for the benefit of local children to learn about cultivation and land preservation.’
The restoration has therefore been based on historical evidence, but with an eye towards the practicalities of modern use. Therefore, although not necessarily meticulous, the compromises should create a resource which is useable and sustainable into the future.
The importance of the garden lies both in its contribution to the green space of Whickham, and the historical significance of its association with The Hermitage.
DATES c1790 (originally laid out)

The house dates from the last quarter of the 18th century. It is two storeys high, retains its original doorway with circular columns and stone porch and stuccoed projecting cornice with low parapet with typical 18th century stone balls with moulded bases. The mock Gothic tower and turret is a19th century addition. It was built around 1790 by Matthew Taylor, the founder of Swalwell Brewery. The name Taylor of Swalwell appears in parish registers from 1576. The family were engaged in prosperous trade in the 18th century - they owned wherries, conveyed coals and other goods from Swalwell staithes to the ships on the Tyne. It remained in the family until the death of Henry E. Taylor in around 1910. The house was then occupied by a Dr James Osterley McCreery. In 1924 the occupant was William Campton of Norwood Cokeworks. By 1925 the building was the centre for the Durham County Council activities in the Whickham district. In January 1951 it became a home for retired men. DESCRIPTION / STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Hermitage was built for Matthew Taylor, of a well-known brewing family who had their business at Swalwell. It is a grand stuccoed 2 storey residence with classical proportions and detailing, although it has been altered. The façade is asymmetrical (with new windows added to the left side): 4 bays to the left side and 3 to the right. Unfortunately the windows have been replaced, and whilst being sashes are spoilt by drip vents to the top floor. The original entrance porch is simple but elegant with Tuscan columns, and now sits aside a large square bay added in the later 19th century. A cill band to the 1st floor and heavy stucco cornice and parapet create a strong horizontal impression. Some quirky, slightly exuberant mock Gothic features, including a squat castellated tower to the ground floor and a small 1st floor turret, were also added in the Victorian period. The tall chimneys are attractive and unusual, with stone bases and brick uppers topped with buff clay chimney pots. In the past it has been used as a library, but its future use is currently uncertain. It is therefore significant in terms of its age and association to an important local family, as well as its architectural interest.
MATERIALS White stucco, brick
DATES 1790. Proposed to be converted into 4 flats and 2 houses (2012).

Coin of AD 351-54 of Constantius II found at No. 184 Mile End Road about 100 years ago. Obv: DNCONSTAN TIVS PF AVG Bust r, pearl diadem, draped Rev: RE-PARATIO Emperor stabbing falling horseman. Dated C4.

Five acre cemetery opened in 1857. When built it was accessed from the Newcastle-Carlisle turnpike down a minor road between the workhouse and Wingrove House. This is now the back lane of Wingrove Avenue. Nearly 23,600 people are buried here. Notable graves - Rev. Clement Moody (1811-1871) last vicar to occupy the vicarage in Westgate Street, Dr Joseph Collingwood Stewart (1881-1958) surgeon at Coxlodge Hospital during World War One and first consultant at Wingrove Hospital (NGH) in 1921. Contains two chapels, a gatehouse and west and south entrances. The west entrance is Gothic in style, supporting octagonal piers of the vehicle gate, and low relief carving of ships on a shield held by seahorses. The ships refer to St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, and the seahorses to the Newcastle coat of arms. The gate piers, gateway, walls and gates (HER 8686) are Grade II listed by A.M Dunn. The chapels (HER 9954) are also by Dunn.

Shown on Ordnance Survey second edition. Built by Weldon Watts. Opened on 27th July 1896 with "The Taming of The Shrew". Described as a very fine building, which could seat 2,500 people. Occupying a corner plot, there were separate entrances for the pit and gallery. A large handsome marble staircase to the circle. The stage measured 58 ft by 44 ft 6 inches and it could accommodate the largest productions. It had "a commodious suite of dressing rooms on each side fitted with every convenience for the comfort of the artistes". The principal entrance was surmounted by an imposing turret. Inside the main entrance was a spacious vestibule. The tip-up chairs were upholstered in "terracotta plush". William Hope, architect, Mr S.F. Davidson, builder, decorations and furnishings, Mr Dean, Birmingham, electric lighting by Messrs Tweddle, heating by Messrs Dinning and Cooke. The theatre closed in August 1954. Used as a store by builders' suppliers Henry Moat until 1964. Demolished in 1989 (Manders says 1964). Nos. 10 and 10a (Byker Bride Housing Association hostel) is probably the former workshops for the theatre. Impressive façade, brick with ashlar detailing including a carriage entrance. Shaped pediment with finials, dated 1898. Kenneth Moore, who acted at the Grand in 1938 with the Charles Denville Famous Players said in his autobiography 'More or Less', 'everything inside the theatre was beautiful. The auditorium was all gilt, with red plush seats. In the midst of poverty and broken-down houses and mean, shabby streets, the Grand glowed like a temple of enjoyment'.

An aerial photograph held by North Tyneside Council and taken in 1980 (no. 3024108) shows possible rectangular features in this field. However photos taken in 1973 (OS 73265), 1990 (OS 90136), 1992 (OS 92057), 1999 (North Tyneside Council) doe not appear to show these features. Should be investigated if this plot comes up for development.

Shown on 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. Now school field.

Shown on 1st edition Ordnance Survey map.

Shown on 1st edition Ordnance Survey map.