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Start: The Metropole, junction of High Street and Jackson Street in Gateshead. Grid ref. NZ256 631
(S) From Metropole, walk North along High Street until you reach the corner of Trinity Square (Lambton Street), cross over the road into Nelson Street, still heading North. Keep right alongside the Gateshead Highway.
(1) Cross Askew Road and walk underneath the railway lines. The Central pub will be on your left. Cross the road to your right and then turn left to walk across the Tyne Bridge looking down to see the Quayside below.
Alternative Route: The Tyne bridge was not built until 1920s, prior to this the route used the Swing Bridge to cross the Tyne. To use this route, from the Central, continue down Bottle Bank then turn left into Bridge Street by the Hilton and then cross the Swing Bridge. At the far side of the bridge, turn right into Sandhill then left into the Side. Pass under the railway bridge then continue up the very steep Dean Street and onto Grey Street. On reaching Grey's Monument, turn right and rejoin the route at the waypoint (3) .
(2) On reaching the large Swan House Roundabout with its 1960s tower block, cross Mosley Street and continue North-Westwards on Pilgrim Street checking out the architecture on the left and new developments on the right. Continue past the Fire Station to the brutalist Pearl Assurance building.
(3) Standing at this junction, look to your left down Blackett Street to see Gray's Monument and look to your right down High Bridge where you will see the Laing Art Gallery. Cross the road into Northumberland Street, the main shopping street. It's hard to imagine the main A1/Great North Road running straight up this pedestrianised street past the Fenwick's department store.
(4) At the far end of Northumberland Street turn right past the Haymarket metro station and continue North past St Thomas' Church.
(5) Continue past the Civic Centre, this road is marked on maps as the Great North Road. The Great North Museum (formerly the Hancock Museum) is across the road if you wish to visit. Return to the Civic Centre aftwards and take the foot path on the right-hand side of the road passing the university buildings on your right and Hadrian Bridge on your left. Continue until you reach the Central Motorway.
(6) Follow the footpath/cycle path underneath the Central Motorway and onto Brandling Park, continue to walk North. The park will be on your left. When you reach Clayton Road, turn left and walk back to the Great North Road.
(7) Turn right onto the Great North Road, Exhibition Park and the Town Moor will be on your left should you wish to visit them. Continue walking North crossing the roundabout at Jesmond Dene Road and onto High Street, Gosforth.
(8) Continue past The County, once a private dwelling but a pub since 1866. Continue past the two churches on the left which are now repurposed. On the High Street you will pass the Brandling Arms, Barca Art Bar (formerly the Earl Grey), the Blacksmith's Arms and the Queen Victoria to your right and the Gosforth Hotel on your left. Continue North on High Street.
(9) When you reach the Regent Centre, ensure you are on the right-hand side of the road, cross if necessary. Continue walking North. Cross over the roundabout and continue North until you reach the Three Mile pub which has been serving Great North Road travellers since 1938 (E).
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