North Shields, Bull Ring

HER Number:
7899

District:
N Tyneside

Site Name:
North Shields, Bull Ring

Place:
North Shields

Map Sheet:
NZ36NE

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:
Baiting Place

Site Type: Specific:
Bullring

General Period:
Post Medieval

Specific Period:
C18

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
The Bull Ring was an early street, the course of which has probably not been substantially altered since medieval times. It was named after the place where bulls were baited in the eighteenth century. Craster (1907, 306) noted that "a large flat stone, containing an iron bolt and ring, was turned up here in June 1820", presumably where the bull was tethered. This was also the coaching centre for transport to Newcastle. The flat land above the Bull Ring was owned by George Milburne, a trader in coal, lime and salt. This land was sold off as building lots to the wealthy members of the community in 1690. The course of this early thoroughfare is still discernible [in 2005] as a cobbled track.

Easting:
3545

Northing:
6773

Grid Reference:
NZ35456773

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
The Archaeological Practice, Redevelopment at the former Smith's and A & P Tyne Shipyards, North Shields - Archaeological Assessment and survey; Archaeological Services University of Durham, 2005, The Chain Locker, Duke Street, North Shields - Desktop assessment and recording work; H.H.E. Craster, 1907, A History of Northumberland, p 306; The Archaeological Practice Ltd. 2005, Smith's Dock and A&P Tyne, North Shields, Historic Buildings Recording