This smart double-fronted house was constructed adjacent to the Queen’s Head sometime during the latter half of the 19th century. A balanced composition in coursed, dressed sandstone with prominent quoins and solid lintels, cills and jambs, the detailing is simple but robust. A cill band graces the upper floor, and a deep eaves cornice conceals the guttering. The neat roof of welsh slate is encapsulated within stone water tables and flanked by simple but sturdy stone corniced chimneys. The entrance is surrounded by a corniced doorcase with pilasters, enclosing a timber 6-panel door with toplight and entablature above. An attractive garden provides an important setting to the building, encompassed by a low stone rubble boundary wall (unfortunately rather overpointed) coped with substantial stones and hedge atop. Unfortunately the windows have been replaced with plastic ones, It is ribbon pointed with cement mortar, and an upstanding rooflight has been added to the centre of the roof, although it is not as prominent as some. Overall, however, it is a fine house offering a contribution to the group including nearby Listed and Locally Listed buildings forming a key part of the historic fabric of Birtley. In 1925 it was the home of T. Coates, Tax Collector. LOCAL LIST

This monument of heavily worn sandstone standing on a plinth in St Joseph’s R. C. churchyard was formerly the spire of the parish Church in Chester-le-Street. The reasons for the move are uncertain, but whilst it is thought to date from the 12th century (one of the stones was inscribed with the date 1139) Mr Jack Blythe, a local brickmaker, only had it erected here in 1910. He had added a crucifix to it, but this has since been lost. The top is capped by a lead crowning cover with crosses incised around the periphery. There is both relief and incised decoration to the shaft of the pillar. The worn, weathered, and aged appearance is part of the charm of the monument, and it is quirky, characterful and curious. The decorated lead crown, which was presumably simply a practical solution to a weather problem, emphasises its ad-hoc nature. It is a surprising survival. LOCAL LIST

A long imposing terrace, austere with canted bays and dormers, fist floor sill-level string course, regular fenestration. The front gardens overlook Christ Church (HER 8288) {1}. Mid 19th century terrace of local pale pinkish brick with sandstone dressings and Welsh slate roofs. It is warm, but pale and therefore gives an attractive impression of lightness coupled with the grandeur of good quality materials and refined detailing. The design utilises moulded architraves and mullions, with corbelled canopies to the doorcases and a plain cill string course. Some properties have substantial stone bays, whilst on others multiple openings grace the ground and first floors, with a double window to the top divided by a central mullion, and a triple window to the bottom. Unfortunately many dormers have been added which are often not in harmony with the scale and design of the terrace. Historically they are connected with the Joicey family, who owned of at least nos. 28 and 30 at the time they were built. ARCHITECT W L Newcombe. DATES 1875 (nos.28 & 30) LOCAL LIST

2 storey public house. Large coursed stone with lintels, sills and string course to ground floor. Shallow pitched slate roof with ridge tiles, and 5 rebuilt chimneys – 3 to ridge (1 stone, 1 truncated) and 2 to rear in brick. Water tables only on rear. Modern public house front to the centre of the ground floor, with a pair of late windows separated by a stone mullion to each side – the eastern end being single-pane sashes. First floor windows are 3 pairs of recent timber sashes separated by a timber mullion and 1 single sash. Built in 3 phases: eastern portion, smaller western end (in greyer, less golden sandstone) and rear offshoot – all present by 1840. Has cellars beneath which may be older than the standing buildings. The building is one of the oldest survivals in the Windmill Hills area and has been in continuous use as a public house with no name change since at least 1833. It harmonises with the approximately contemporaneous building group further along the street (of which the Listed no. 72 Bensham Road forms a part), which are similarly built in local sandstone, also complementing the later red brick Romulus Terrace. In 1833 it was owned by James Gallon. Prior to this it may have been used as a corn mill with a gin-gang in the cellars. Not present on 1795 map (TWAS DT.BEL/2/118). LOCAL LIST

This 3 storey terrace (with cellars) complements the Listed Crown Public House on the corner to form an important early group contribution to the Windmill Hills area (it is present on a map of 1836). The carved stone street sign set into the wall demonstrates the quality and status of the development when built, mirroring a somewhat similar, slightly earlier, plaque just along the road at Walker Terrace. An advertisement To Let in Gateshead Observer describes a property as having 7 rooms, a kitchen, 2 cellars and a small garden. Constructed of red brick to the front elevation, with sandstone rubble to the rear, they have unfortunately been pebble-dashed. Number 105 also has a 19th century red brick extension. Stone dressings include cills and lintels to the 2nd floor and a cill band to the 1st floor. The remains of a cill band to the ground floor are still visible in places between the unfortunate modern shopfronts. The slate roofs are at a surprisingly low pitch, with substantial brick chimneys (1 truncated) between properties. Whilst the covering of the original brick with pebbledash and render harms its visual qualities, the retention of the height, proportions, stone detailing and roofs ensure that the charm of the terrace is not lost, and there may be a future opportunity for the removal of the render. Although the original sashes have been replaced with modern windows, no. 105 still has original internal features, including operational window shutters, alcoves and cornicing to the first. In 1840 the owner of the land was William Gibbon. The eastern end of the terrace was demolished in 1972. LOCAL LIST

This substantial and lofty terrace was one of the earliest in Low Fell, being already present on the 1sr edition OS map of about 1858. The buildings are of different plan forms, indicating that they were developed gradually, and possibly the front elevations later altered to create a more uniform appearance, with the bay windows added. Alterations are also indicated in the north gable elevation, where the lower stonework is blocked and of varied courses, whereas that to the upper part of the elevation is rubble in quality and uncoursed. A plan from c1845 clearly illustrates that at least some of the properties were already built, as it shows nos. 1 and 2 clearly, with perhaps nos. 3 – 5 or 6 also indicated. At this time, nos. 1 and 2 appear to have formed 1 dwelling, in the ownership of John Todd Esq., who also enjoyed substantial gardens to the front of his property, with a walkway around the edge indicated on this plan, as well as depicted on the c1858 map. A circular feature is shown in the southeast corner – possibly an ornament such as an urn, or a sundial. To the rear is an L-shaped portion of garden filled with trees. The rooms include a hallway (passage) between a dining room and a drawing room, with a lobby and kitchen behind, and to the south a back kitchen and cellar. Outside at this time was an ash hole and a privy. This shows that the property was relatively high status at this time. The architectural detailing is simple but solid and as such is very characteristic of the area. It includes solid canted bays, interspersed with plain rectangular openings bearing solid cills and lintels. A variety of timber sashes remain from different periods – including some late Victorian style 1 over 1s, and some arts and crafts style examples with multipanes over a single pane from around the turn of the 20th century. It is worth considering the implementation of an Article 4 Direction on this terrace, to ensure that, in particular, the important timber sashes and slate roofs are retained, since they make such an important contribution to the character of the dwellings. Large dormers have apparently been inserted as a piece, with decorative bargeboards and finials, and glazed cheeks. The front elevations boast snecked stonework, with modest kneelers to the gable crowning equally modest quoins, and short, corniced stone chimneys. The mature landscaped setting and the stone boundary walls are a crucial part of the character of this terrace. LOCAL LIST

This eastern end of this modest parish room was originally the caretaker’s house, but is now understood to have been incorporated into the hall building. It is by noted local architect John Wardle, who also designed the Church 5 years earlier, for Mr Edward Joicey of Whinney House. In cyclopean rusticated stonework, with ashlar dressings, the ridgeline of the slate roof varies between the higher hall area and the lower cottage. Variety in the rhythm of the elevation is created by the use of gables of different designs, which also differentiate between the Parish Hall use and the humbler accommodation use. This is expressed in stone water tabling to the Parish Room end, decorated with mini gables at both termini (reminiscent of those seen at Saltwell Park and elsewhere); and with decorative bargeboards to the cottage end. These gables are topped by delicate finials in stone and timber. A Tudor arched doorway originally offered entrance to the visitor, but now this has been replaced with a window, and the original cottage entrance is now used for the whole building. A relatively small extension has been added to the east end, utilising the existing yard wall to the cottage, and a good match has been obtained with the stonework. It is extremely disappointing, however, that the stonework has been cleaned, as this significantly detracts from the character of the building, and the weathered appearance cannot be reinstated. It is also a shame that the Tudor arched doorway has been removed, and that some intrusive lead flashings have altered the appearance of the bargeboards, as well as much of their detailing having been lost. The windows, too, have been replaced with brown sashes, whereas the original windows appear to have been leaded casements, with possible timber glazing bars to the Parish Room end. Despite these alterations, however, the building remains of group value with the church and terrace adjacent. ARCHITECT John Wardle MATERIALS Sandstone, slate, timber DATES 1878 LOCAL LIST

This dignified symmetrical building with classical detailing was built as the Belle Vue Club in 1910, as the stuccoed gables proclaim in their initials hung on swags. The depth of the moulding in the pediments, at the eaves and to the semi-circular door canopy (supported on columns) give it a rich, slightly lavish appearance, despite the fact that it could not be described as ornate, as overall the design is restrained. The design is unusual for the time in incorporating these classical elements, and perhaps indicates a traditionalism, or harking back, in the taste of the club members. The pale peachy-red brick, coupled with the stucco, lightens the weight of the massing, and the advanced gables create depth and rhythm to the frontage, complementing the grand central doorway. The stone detailing adds a touch of interest, having been used in a distinctive fashion of interspersed courses to embellish the corners of each bay. The welsh slate roof is of rather a shallow pitch, and although it was designed to support a roof terrace surrounding a belvedere, it is uncertain whether this element of the plans ever came to fruition. The slender corniced chimneys gracing each side, however, were carried forward. Happily the timber 6 over 1 sashes remain resplendent in position, accompanied by their original companion double timber panelled door, with 6 pane fanlight over. An internal inspection has not been undertaken, but the layout was designed with a reading room, bar and recreation room to the ground floor, and billiard room, card room and meeting room upstairs. The rear right portion was the caretaker’s accommodation, with a scullery and kitchen downstairs and 2 bedrooms above. The building also enjoyed the benefits of a cellar to provide for the bar. The property is a good quality, distinctive design, which has been retained remarkably intact through the years, and makes an important contribution to the street scene and the Low Fell Conservation Area. ARCHITECT James Newton Fatkin (1 St Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle). Date 1910 LOCAL LIST

This attractive sandstone house stands in a prominent position facing downhill on Belle Vue Bank – one of the earliest streets in the area to be developed. The stonework to the front elevation is neatly dressed, with large quoins, whereas the gable is of roughly coursed rubble. It retains hornless multipane sashes – now a rarity in the area – with strong stone cills and lintels. Substantial stone walls to the perimeter of the property (of the same construction as the gable to the east but simpler rubble to the west) add a great deal to the character of the building and the Conservation Area within which it is situated, including the timber batten door set within it. 1822-1858 LOCAL LIST

Mid 19th century range of two-storey stone cottages with Welsh slate roofs. Heavy joints and lintels to doors and windows; mostly altered. LOCAL LIST