Birtley to Gateshead Along the Great North Road

Start: Start Durham Road/The Avenue junction, Birtley outside The Hanlon. (DH3 2PS) Grid ref. NZ 271 558

(S) From The Hanlon, turn Northwards and continue along the A167 towards Gateshead passing Birtley Library.

(1) Pause at the War Memorial (100m) then continue North along Durham Road. The Red Lion pub will be on your left and the Three Tuns pub on your right, note the mix of old and modern housing types along this road.

(2) Continue past the park with its bowling green and bandstand. At the Coach and Horses pub, the road will continue to the left (northwest) onto Newcastle Bank.

(3) Continue passing the entrance to the Bowes Railway Path, at this point ensure you are on the right-hand side of the road, be careful as this is a shared footpath and cycle route, you should follow the signs for the Angel of the North. Follow the path diagonally across a field, away from the road until you reach the roundabout. Follow the footpaths to the left and navigate around the roundabout and under the modern A1 and onto Durham Road.

(4) Pause to visit the Angel of the North, then return to Durham Road and continue walking Northwards towards Gateshead Town Centre passing underneath the footbridge.

(5) At the junction signposted Harlow Green, remain on Durham Road. Take extreme care crossing the road as this is a busy dual carriageway.

(6) Continue along Durham Road, passing the Stone Trough pub and after a further 600m the Coach House pub. This area is much more built up with terraced housing and shops on either side of the road. You will pass the Gateshead Arms on your right, look at the pub sign. Continue past the stunning Wesley Memorial Methodist Chapel on your right, the Belle Vue pub on your left followed by The Bank and The Tap, plenty of opportunity to stop for a drink. The area will become more residential at this point and opens up to larger houses and trees.

(7) On reaching Enfield Road, a short diversion down this road will bring you to Saltwell Park which is well worth a visit. Return to Durham Road after your visit and continue Northwards.

(8) On reaching Prince Consort Road, check out the cenotaph. A short diversion down this road will bring you to the Shipley Art Gallery which is well worth a visit. Return to Durham Road after your visit and continue Northwards.

(9) At the point the road becomes a dual carriageway, keep to the left and turn into High West Street passing Gateshead Baptist Church.

(10) Cross the road and turn right into High Street, this first goes North-East and then turns North. This street once had the highest ratio of pubs in the area, many sadly are now gone but there are still a few visible. Continue to the junction of Jackson Street where you will find the Metropole, originally built as a theatre (E).

Start: Start Durham Road/The Avenue junction, Birtley outside The Hanlon. (DH3 2PS) Grid ref. NZ 271 558

Transport: There are no designated car parks near the start of the walk, but there are a number in Gateshead (e.g. Regent Court, NE8 1EW) so it is recommended to park there. Bus 21 goes to Orchard Street in Birtley (beside the War Memorial), you can catch this at Gateshead Interchange.

Facilities: There are a large number of takeaways, cafes and pubs in Birtley and Gateshead so there are ample opportunities to stop for a break.

Accessibility: The entire route is on paved footpaths so is entirely accessible. The entire route is along busy roads however so will be noisy so it is advised to walk this route on weekends when it is quieter.

• Birtley War Memorial (1).
• Angel of the North https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/395..., the iconic Antony Gormley sculpture now looks down over both the old Great North Road and the modern A1 (4).
• Saltwell Park is a fine example of a well-laid out Victorian Park, home to Saltwell Towers, a Gothic mansion containing the visitor centre and tea rooms (7).
• Gateshead Cenotaph (8).
• The Shipley Art Gallery celebrates craft and design as well as fine art (8).