Farm with industrial interest.

Farm with industrial interest. In advance of the conversion of this stone-built model farmstead, James Garfield Nairn of Nicholson Nairn Architects recorded the buildings. The farmstead is quite typical of Northumberland. The farmhouse stands separate from a range of farm buildings around a fold yard. Over the years the buildings have been altered and adapted to absorb technological farming improvements. There was a farm at this location from at least 1767 and the site has always been in the ownership of the Duke of Northumberland. Fell House Farm was built in the centre of the common between Newburn and Walbottle at the time when the common was enclosed. It was presumably the farm from which much of the enclosure was effected. The farm was a ‘U’ shaped complex in 1767. By 1848 the site had been totally redeveloped to form the complex which still largely survives. The farm plan is typical of the period of ‘agricultural revolution’ when multi functional barn ranges were built, threshing was mechanised, fertilisers were used and new feed such as oilcake introduced. A valuer's report states that there was an absence of turnip land (turnips, carrots and parsnips were grown as field crops to feed stabled livestock in winter) on Fell House Farm and that due to the land being of weak character for growing roots, it was worked together with Dewley Farm (NRO ZAN Bell 71/8). The earliest farm buildings are built of squared random rubble sandstone with dressed and chamfered jamb stones and eaves string course. The façade of the Georgian farmhouse in good quality materials provides an imposing frontage. The gin-gang was demolished some 30 years ago along with the north wing, which would have been a split level mixing barn with granary, threshing machine and animal stalls. The byres opened into the yard in order that manure could be collected to fertilise the fields. The farmhouse was divided lengthwise into two, with two front rooms on ground and first floor and a central staircase. To the rear was the kitchen and scullery and a separate staircase to the servant’s accommodation. Unfortunately the house was ‘improved’ in the 1960s so few original features survive.

Single-gate type level crossing on North Walbottle wagonway.

A conical pit heap for Percy Pit.

Works on the site of the fitting shop of Newburn Iron Works.

Remains of brick arches associated with this works are visible behind the Fire Station.

This house, dated 1822 on a panel over the door, was built for the Duke of Northumberland during the bailiffship of Hugh Taylor. It is of coursed squared sandstone with pecked quoins; the first bay is set back, raised to 2 storeys in brick on the stone ground floor. It has a pantiled roof with flat stone gable copings to the main house, Welsh slate to the wing, and quoined rubble chimneys. It is of 2 storeys with 3 bays, and a set-back left wing of two storeys and one bay. Above the door is a moulded surround around a raised crescent inscription (the Northumberland family emblem). Two foot scrapers, one cast iron and one wrought iron, flank the door. LISTED GRADE 2

This group of 12 almshouses was built in 1870 by R J Johnson at the expense of Hugh Taylor for 6 inhabitants of Newburn, 3 of Earsdon and 3 of Shilbottle. They are of brick with ashlar-coped plinth, bands and dressings. They have a graduated Lakeland slate roof with ornamental ridge tiles and stone gable copings. They comprise one storey and attics; there are 3 bays to each house. There is an enamel street name at the left side. LISTED GRADE 2

Five terraces of houses, probably built by the Throckley Caol Company to serve the Maria Pit and Throckley Firebrick and Clay Retort Works.

Farm with industrial interest. According to a valuer's report of 1875, Dewley Farm had a calf house used for turnips and a turnip house used for boiling. The farm was said to produce turnips of 'extra good quality', 'the best turnips in the north'. Turnips, carrots and parsnips, previously only grown in market and kitchen gardens, were introduced as field crops to feed the stabled livestock over the winter. By 1875 Dewley Farm had a dairy and a cow house of 10 stands and a calf pen. In 1797 Bailey and Culley reported that dairying was important near Newcastle, and the Newburn area in particular was being used for rearing young cattle. In 1885 Dewley Farm had been mechanised. There was a portable engine, threshing machine, French millstones, chaff cutting and corn cutting machines driven by steam power, and powerful steaming apparatus for cooking chaff, straw, meal, turnips and potatoes for feeding the livestock.