Stella, Summerhill, Lord Widdrington's Summerhouse

HER Number:
1699

District:
Gateshead

Site Name:
Stella, Summerhill, Lord Widdrington's Summerhouse

Place:
Stella

Map Sheet:
NZ16SE

Class:
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces

Site Type: Broad:
Garden Building

Site Type: Specific:
Summerhouse

General Period:
Post Medieval

Specific Period:
C18

Form of Evidence:
Ruined Building

Description:
On the top of Summerhouse Hill stands an octagonal building known locally as Lord Widdrington's Summerhouse. It is a fine octagonal brick structure with blocked arched windows on each side and originally domed. The actual date of construction is not known but was probably between 1700 and 1715 during the time of Lord Widdrington's residency at Stella (see HER ref. 1694). Joseph Cowen erected a statue of Garibaldi beside the summerhouse in 1867, in honour of the Italian patriot's visit to Tyneside in 1854. It stood about 7feet tall and was sculpted by Burn of Newcastle. Following the collapse of the statue, the head is on display in Blaydon Library and the body was recently discovered in a local allotment. LISTED GRADE 2

Easting:
1769

Northing:
6351

Grid Reference:
NZ17696351

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 1699 >> T. Yellowley, 1986, Stella and Blaydon Burn; Gateshead Council, 1999, Conservation Area Policy Guidelines, Strategies and Character Statements, Path Head Conservation Area, p 55