There are a total of 8 listed buildings in Dunston, they are all Grade 2 listed..
Dunston Hill Hall, listed November 1985
Dunston Staithes, listed January 1983.
Dunston War Memorial, Ellison Road, March 2015.
Dunston West Farm. Whickham Highway, listed February 1950
Parish School, Dunston Road, November 1985.
Stables of Dunston Hill Hall, November 1985.
Whickham Thorns. Market Lane, listed November 1985
White Gate Farm, Dunston Road, listed November 1985.
Whickham Thorns Farmhouse, Market Lane.
Mid C18. Sandstone rubble with large quoins; pantiled roof with 2 corniced end brick chimneys. 2 storeys, 3 windows.
Central bay has 2 C19 doors inserted under flat stone lintel. All windows altered casements in chamfered stone surrounds. Roof has low gable parapet formed by large stepped stones. Rear one-storey one-bay offshot under catslide roof has folding boarded door with external flight of stone steps to boarded kitchen entrance. Interior: C19 staircase; doors boarded over. General Period: Post Medieval. date listed 18th November 1985.
Whickham World War 2 Road Blocks...
Form of Evidence: Documentary Evidence.
In vicinity of junction of Ellison Road and A1. Stop-lines included permanent and moveable road barriers. The most substantial works were formed from square or cylindrical concrete blocks entwined with barbed wire and fitted with explosives. Moveable obstacles consisted of horizontal or vertical bars or poles of steel, set between concrete blocks. Bent steel girders could also be slotted into sockets cut into the road surface. Modern road improvements are removing evidence for both, but some of the original blocks or apertures have been observed in-situ.
Cylindrical blocks have been used to line private roads or placed on river banks to combat erosion {Defence of Britain Handbook, 1995.
Parish School, Dunston Road.
Former Parish School built 1818, now derelict, Coursed squared sandstone with large quoins and ashlar dressings; low-pitched Welsh slate roof
with flat stone gable copings. One storey, 8 bays. Recessed 4-panelled door under stone lintel in bay 8. Round-section mullioned and transomed windows in all bays, those in bays 2, 4 and 6 under gabled dormers breaking eaves; all with flat stone sills, irregular-block jambs and wood lintels.
Long windows in right return under inscription ERECTED BY SUBSCRIPTION, ANNO DOMINI, 1818. THE HON. AND REV. EDWARD GREY, RECTOR. Historical note: subscribers included the Bishop of Durham and the trustees of Lord Crewe. Pictures >>
Dunston Road, World War 2 Barrage Balloon Site...
Entrance to Beech Drive.
Seen on air photographs. Formed by concentric circles of posts used for mooring balloons. Approximately 22m in diameter. Associated buildings - two buildings 18m to the east, and another 24m to the west-south-west. Two vertical war-time photographs show a balloon drifting near the mooring site; one military oblique photograph shows a balloon on the ground moored on the site. Now destroyed by development.
Dunston Hill Primary School..
These council schools followed on from educational provision begun with the Parish school and continued with the board schools (towards the river). Both were planned in 1909, but the junior department was built straightaway (opening in 1910) whilst the Infant department was delayed until 1914. They are of exceptional quality and architectural vitality – equally, imaginatively unusual but completely different in detailing. The scale and materials are nonetheless very similar – again utilising the low profile and animated roofscape familiar from many other historic schools, which were proportioned to suit their occupants. The architecture of the junior school is finely detailed. Rusticated stone banding and plinth enhance the stretcher bond brickwork, with carved stone detailing to the gable apexes, (mostly) flat arched brick window heads and decorative eaves details.
The predominantly blue Welsh slate roof scape is remarkable in its use of green Westmorland slate banding and stepped kneelers halfway down, as well as to the base of the water tabling. It is further embellished by terracotta ridge tiles and ball finials to the hips. Carved, Incised plaques elaborately denote the boys and girls’ entrances and the cookery area (which originally had an Aga, although this has now been removed). All the exterior detailing remains, including an attractively detailed rainwater hopper and downpipe brackets, and all the original timber windows (part sash, part casement) remain save 2 to the rear. The interior is also remarkably intact. Of particular interest is the vast central hall space, which is very light and airy and runs longitudinally with the building. Designed in 2 parts with lantern lights to each, there are classrooms flanking the main space, divided from it by extensively glazed partitions panelled with timber below. The space is distinctive and very successful, and contributes greatly to the overall character of the building. The roof structure can be seen in the cookery area, where delicate curved braces spring from moulded corbels to support the tie beam.
The Infant school building boasts simpler and more robust geometric detailing. Flemish bond brickwork gives it a distinctive patterned appearance, with the structure consisting of a gabled, clerestoried central portion, with low flanking wings. The slate roof features unusual geometric water tabling to gables which descends to square kneelers, and on one side the tilting fillets to the eaves push through, with their extending rafters, the round headed half-dormers ascending from below. In this building the large, airy hall is transverse, with an open roof structure incorporating square columnar queen posts and straight braces on chunky corbels.
Again the interior remains largely intact, with the same parquet floors visible in the older building, and the geometric detail continues with diamond glazing bars to the half-glazed timber doors. Unfortunately, however, al the original timber windows have been replaced with plastic and there is a small but poor quality flat-roofed extension to the side.
MATERIALS Red brick, sandstone, Welsh & Westmorland slate, timber. ARCHITECT Joseph Potts & Son (57 John St, Sunderland). DATES 1910 (Junior) and 1914 (Infant).
During World War II the entrances were reinforced with blast walls and sand bags, and an air raid shelter was built in the grounds.
Pictures of the school HERE
Dunston Hill Hall, listed November 1985
Dunston Staithes, listed January 1983.
Dunston War Memorial, Ellison Road, March 2015.
Dunston West Farm. Whickham Highway, listed February 1950
Parish School, Dunston Road, November 1985.
Stables of Dunston Hill Hall, November 1985.
Whickham Thorns. Market Lane, listed November 1985
White Gate Farm, Dunston Road, listed November 1985.
Whickham Thorns Farmhouse, Market Lane.
Mid C18. Sandstone rubble with large quoins; pantiled roof with 2 corniced end brick chimneys. 2 storeys, 3 windows.
Central bay has 2 C19 doors inserted under flat stone lintel. All windows altered casements in chamfered stone surrounds. Roof has low gable parapet formed by large stepped stones. Rear one-storey one-bay offshot under catslide roof has folding boarded door with external flight of stone steps to boarded kitchen entrance. Interior: C19 staircase; doors boarded over. General Period: Post Medieval. date listed 18th November 1985.
Whickham World War 2 Road Blocks...
Form of Evidence: Documentary Evidence.
In vicinity of junction of Ellison Road and A1. Stop-lines included permanent and moveable road barriers. The most substantial works were formed from square or cylindrical concrete blocks entwined with barbed wire and fitted with explosives. Moveable obstacles consisted of horizontal or vertical bars or poles of steel, set between concrete blocks. Bent steel girders could also be slotted into sockets cut into the road surface. Modern road improvements are removing evidence for both, but some of the original blocks or apertures have been observed in-situ.
Cylindrical blocks have been used to line private roads or placed on river banks to combat erosion {Defence of Britain Handbook, 1995.
Parish School, Dunston Road.
Former Parish School built 1818, now derelict, Coursed squared sandstone with large quoins and ashlar dressings; low-pitched Welsh slate roof
with flat stone gable copings. One storey, 8 bays. Recessed 4-panelled door under stone lintel in bay 8. Round-section mullioned and transomed windows in all bays, those in bays 2, 4 and 6 under gabled dormers breaking eaves; all with flat stone sills, irregular-block jambs and wood lintels.
Long windows in right return under inscription ERECTED BY SUBSCRIPTION, ANNO DOMINI, 1818. THE HON. AND REV. EDWARD GREY, RECTOR. Historical note: subscribers included the Bishop of Durham and the trustees of Lord Crewe. Pictures >>
Dunston Road, World War 2 Barrage Balloon Site...
Entrance to Beech Drive.
Seen on air photographs. Formed by concentric circles of posts used for mooring balloons. Approximately 22m in diameter. Associated buildings - two buildings 18m to the east, and another 24m to the west-south-west. Two vertical war-time photographs show a balloon drifting near the mooring site; one military oblique photograph shows a balloon on the ground moored on the site. Now destroyed by development.
Dunston Hill Primary School..
These council schools followed on from educational provision begun with the Parish school and continued with the board schools (towards the river). Both were planned in 1909, but the junior department was built straightaway (opening in 1910) whilst the Infant department was delayed until 1914. They are of exceptional quality and architectural vitality – equally, imaginatively unusual but completely different in detailing. The scale and materials are nonetheless very similar – again utilising the low profile and animated roofscape familiar from many other historic schools, which were proportioned to suit their occupants. The architecture of the junior school is finely detailed. Rusticated stone banding and plinth enhance the stretcher bond brickwork, with carved stone detailing to the gable apexes, (mostly) flat arched brick window heads and decorative eaves details.
The predominantly blue Welsh slate roof scape is remarkable in its use of green Westmorland slate banding and stepped kneelers halfway down, as well as to the base of the water tabling. It is further embellished by terracotta ridge tiles and ball finials to the hips. Carved, Incised plaques elaborately denote the boys and girls’ entrances and the cookery area (which originally had an Aga, although this has now been removed). All the exterior detailing remains, including an attractively detailed rainwater hopper and downpipe brackets, and all the original timber windows (part sash, part casement) remain save 2 to the rear. The interior is also remarkably intact. Of particular interest is the vast central hall space, which is very light and airy and runs longitudinally with the building. Designed in 2 parts with lantern lights to each, there are classrooms flanking the main space, divided from it by extensively glazed partitions panelled with timber below. The space is distinctive and very successful, and contributes greatly to the overall character of the building. The roof structure can be seen in the cookery area, where delicate curved braces spring from moulded corbels to support the tie beam.
The Infant school building boasts simpler and more robust geometric detailing. Flemish bond brickwork gives it a distinctive patterned appearance, with the structure consisting of a gabled, clerestoried central portion, with low flanking wings. The slate roof features unusual geometric water tabling to gables which descends to square kneelers, and on one side the tilting fillets to the eaves push through, with their extending rafters, the round headed half-dormers ascending from below. In this building the large, airy hall is transverse, with an open roof structure incorporating square columnar queen posts and straight braces on chunky corbels.
Again the interior remains largely intact, with the same parquet floors visible in the older building, and the geometric detail continues with diamond glazing bars to the half-glazed timber doors. Unfortunately, however, al the original timber windows have been replaced with plastic and there is a small but poor quality flat-roofed extension to the side.
MATERIALS Red brick, sandstone, Welsh & Westmorland slate, timber. ARCHITECT Joseph Potts & Son (57 John St, Sunderland). DATES 1910 (Junior) and 1914 (Infant).
During World War II the entrances were reinforced with blast walls and sand bags, and an air raid shelter was built in the grounds.
Pictures of the school HERE
St Philip Neri War Memorial...
Unveiled 3rd March 1918, Calvary of white figure 5ft 6 inches high made of oak on a dark wood cross 17ft high made of teak, on a stone pedestal. Above the figure is the NR motif. "A.M.D.G. AND IN MEMORY OF THE MEN OF THIS PARISH WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WARS 1914-1918 1939-1945". [A.M.D.G. are the latin first letters of the words "To the greater glory of God"]
The cross was refurbished 2015 for the 500 years celebrations since the birth of St Philip Neri.
Dunston Hill Hospital Billiard / Snooker Room...
Billiard and snooker rooms, now outpatients department. Dated 1885 on lintel. Sandstone ashlar with rusticated plinth and raised quoins.
Welsh slate roof with wood and glass ridge ventilators. Half-hexagonal ends; one storey, 3 bays. Central door; architraves to door, flanking windows, and windows in canted bays on left and right returns. Sill band. Door in right return has inscription 18JR-C-E85 on lintel. Central ashlar chimney and 2 louvred lights to half- hexagonal hip-ended roof.
The Crescent, Ellison Road, Numbers 1 to 4..
These extremely unusual and attractive houses were built just into the Edwardian era, in an experimental material of cement aggregate made to appear like stone, with brick backs. The terrace arcs gently, following the contours of the road, and features distinctive corner turrets crowned by octagonal spire-like roofs with elaborate terracotta pinnacles. Another note-worthy feature are the roofs: quality green Westmorland slate, with decorative fishscale banding, and central gables with floral finials and terracotta ridge tiles. The detail does not stop here, however. The door surrounds incorporate fluted pilasters and mouldings, and lintels and cills to the rear are also decorated. Some properties retain original 5-panel timber doors, with stained glass and fan/sidelights, although some have been replaced. They are a pleasing survival in the area, and stand out against the backdrop of more conventional housing. MATERIALS Cement aggregate, brick back, Westmorland slate BUILDER Salis brothers(?) DATES 1903,
Dunston War Memorial, Ellison Road...
Unveiled 15th April 1923 by Major-General Sir Percy Wilkinson and again in 1950 by Lord Gort, Durham County President of the British Legion. A cross on a 5-stepped octagonal base. The names of the dead are on a bronze panel on the base of the cross. "THE GREAT WAR/1914-1918/TO THE GLORY OF GOD/THESE LAID THE WORLD AWAY/POURED OUT THE/RED SWEET WINE/OF YOUTH/GAVE UP THE YEARS TO/BE OF WORK AND/JOY AND THAT/UNHOPED SERENE/THAT MEN CALL/AGE. REMEMBER ALSO/THOSE WHO/GAVE/THEIR LIVES IN/WORLD WAR/1939-1945". Date listed 2015
White Gate Farm, Dunston Road..
House, late C18. Brick with ashlar dressings and quoins; pantiled roof, with flat stone gable copings on block kneelers. Two storeys, three windows. Central 4-panelled door and sash windows with glazing bars in stop-chamfered raised stone surrounds, two corniced end brick chimneys.
Date listed 1985.
Wellington Road, Number 115, Old Co-op..
Premises of Geoff Thompson Cars. This fine, art deco influenced, single-storey commercial premises was formerly a Co-op building, and all the signs of the Co-operative quality of detailing show. It was designed by W G Townsend Gray, who was also responsible for the 1925 Co-op on Jackson Street. Originally of symmetrical proportions, it has undergone some alterations, and an extension to the side, but these have not harmed its aesthetic advantages unduly as the key architectural features and overall form are still visible. It is built of sand-faced brick with stone dressings, which were originally left bare but are now painted over, and a hipped, slated roof partially hidden behind a parapet.
The architectural emphasis is squarely on the front elevation, with little or no attention paid to the other elevations. It is here that the geometric detailing is seen, with timber pilasters (featuring diamond lozenges and stepped ‘tongues’) towards the centre of the shopfront echoing that of the structural brick ones to the edges of the building. The stall risers have been retained, although the glazed bricks proposed on the plans are not in place. It appears that the decorative glazing bars to the upper lights may still be present, hidden behind fascias, but the doors have been replaced in alterations. It would be positive if an opportunity arose for the uncovering and/or restoration of original features and the removal of the paint. MATERIALS Sand-faced brick, timber, slate ARCHITECT W G Townsend Gray (CWS) DATES 1932
The Excelsior Club, Staithes Road...
This building speaks of the aspirations of the Social Club trustees when it was erected, as it is in a grand style that sets it apart from its surroundings. The rainwater goods are cast in a faintly whimsical style, with the date flanked by hearts and scrolled brackets. The design was altered slightly from the original plans, but the fundamentals were adhered to: red brick with substantial and elaborate stone dressings. Of especial note is the stone banding to the base of the building, and the grand stone entrance with heavy bracketed canopy sailing beneath a broad canted oriel, with a date plaque nestling between. The ample fenestration provides abundant internal light, with large arched windows to the ground floor beneath triple lights divided by stone mullions. Chunky brackets elevate the eaves of the slate roof, the planes of which are connected with terracotta ridge and hip tiles. Slim, comparatively subtle chimneys create a fine finish to the end gables. The current windows and doors, whilst still being of timber are not original: leaded lights were part of the initial design as illustrated on the plans. Another interesting feature are the geometric design elements, seen in relief plaques to the corners of the building and some details in the decorative gables, which seem to foreshadow the art deco developments that would emerge a decade or two later. The building is a strong composition, accommodating the same use since it was built, and admirably holding its own in a changing street scene.
Dunston Excelsior Social Club was formed in a house in Athol Street in 1907. The committee undertook fundraising for local people in need, including for starving people within Dunston itself, and the West Stanley pit disaster. Over the years the Club has supported a number of interests including the Pigeon Club, the Whippet Club, two Darts' Teams and two Snooker Teams. This provision has now been reduced to dart-boards and snooker tables. There was a Rifle Range in the club during the First World War and Dunston Lads became the English Rifle Champions. Felling police and the Home Guard used the rifle range before its eventual closure in 1946. In 1940 the British Expeditionary Force were billeted in the Club concert room after their successful evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk.
More recently the club became known nationally, due to the famous antics of local lad and regular Paul Gasgoine, on and off the football pitch.
MATERIALS Brick, stone, timber ARCHITECT T R White & S J Stephenson (Grey St, Newcastle) DATES 1909 (plans, moved into 1910)
The Cross Keys Public House (Riverside Lodge, The Metz Experience)
Ravensworth Road. (Demolished 2016)
This public house originated as the Cross Keys Hotel, rebuilt for John Rowell & son in the year of Queen Victoria’s death – the time of a great sea change in the political and cultural life of the country. It is fascinating that when first opened, provision was made for ‘a room entirely devoted to temperance requirements’; rather an ironic undertaking for an establishment generally intended for the opposite purpose! The building is of significant size, and uses a slightly exuberant, satisfyingly varied palette in terms of design and materials. It is bold and well detailed, and retains almost all of its original features. The frontage is extensive, constructed primarily in brick, with mock timber framing animating the 1st floor of the principal section and gables to either side. A subsidiary block set back to the south utilises proportionally more brick and is rather domestic in appearance, retaining the lead work to the 1st floor bay windows which was part of the original design for the whole upper floor.
The sandstone dressings offer a pleasing visual contrast with the brick, expressed in cill and lintel bands and nicely moulded architraves. One of the key features are the tall, slender chimneys with cornice detail and narrow pots, which grace the various planes of the slate roof, as well as the rows of thick section timber framed glazing with multiple vertical lights. The attractive, quality detailing also includes cast iron rainwater goods, with some decorative curly brackets, and delightful terracotta finials. Simple cast iron grilles provide ventilation but unfortunately additional extraction vents have been introduced through the wall. This is virtually the only alteration to the original building, and, whilst flat-roofed, the rear extension has been constructed with great sensitivity, employing matching design elements and materials.
It is a significant building in the area, with a strong visual presence on the street, and represents a good example of the explosion in pub rebuilding around the turn of the 20th century.
MATERIALS Brick, stone, timber, render ARCHITECT James W Frazer (49 Grey Street, Newcastle) DATES 1901 (rebuilding)
Dunston's Crowley Iron Works..
Metal Smelting Site, Opposite The Rowers Pub former Cement Yard.John Crowley (son of Sir Ambrose Crowley) acquired some land at Dunston on 13th May 1755 from Richard and John Tidmarsh. This appears to be a single piece of land with buildings labelled "Great Square" and "Little Square" by the Ordnance Survey first edition. Call books later refer to "Atkinson's Square", formerly called "Big Square". The land had previously been the site of cottages and a chapel, a garden and a quay and slipway. It is not known what Crowley built on the site - houses? Workshops? This then passed to Theodosia Crowley (later Theodosia Boone) and Elizabeth Crowley (later Countess of Ashburnham), and then to Elizabeth's eldest son and heir George Earl of Ashburnham.
The premises then passed, in 1814, to Richard Dann of Old Broad Street, London, and held in trust for Mary Millington of Greenwich, Kent, Charles
Vardon of Upper Eaton Street, Middlesex, Purney Sillitoe of Upper Thames Street, London and Mary Millington of Greenwich (spinster). In 1838 it passed to Richard Dann of York Chambers, St James Street, Crowley Millington of Thames Street (steel manufacturer) and Thomas Isaac Millington (also steel manufacturer). The latter appointed Thomas Friend Bennett of Crowley Ironworks to take control of the premises, surrendering part of it to Thomas Adamson of Newcastle. Part of the land was granted to the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.
Dunston Hill Mansion...
Whickham Highway
Large house, later converted to a hospital. Rear north wing for John Carr (1667-1739) enlarged for Ralph Carr (1711-1807) - rainwater head 1750; John Carr (1764-1817) faced the house with stone, renewed the roof, changed the entrance from east to north and built the dining room and kitchen wing. Sandstone ashlar with rusticated quoins and basement; Welsh slate roof. Basement and 2 storeys. Central doorway holds sash in architrave under pulvinated frieze and cornice. Architraves to all windows. Rear wing has 3-light canted bay and round-headed stair window; Tuscan doorcase. Interior - early 18th century stair with turned balusters and wide handrail. High quality stucco ceiling decoration in main rooms on ground floor. Cornices throughout. Regency style alcoves and architraves to corridor. John Carr of White House bought the estate in 1704.
The former hospital outpatients department adjoined to the south of the 18th century house is dated 1885 on lintel. Sandstone ashalr, welsh slate roof, wood and glass ridge ventilators. One storey, half-hexagonal ends. Door in right return has inscription JR-C-E85 on lintel. There were three main phases of building after John Carr acquired the property in 1704. Unknown if he started on a virgin site. The later history of the house is obscure. Unknown in what year the Carrs left but it became a War hospital in 1917, catering for 45 disabled first world war soldiers and sailors at a time. The house was in a peaceful, countryside location, but was close enough to Newcastle to make it accessible.
Dunston Hill House was taken over by the Northumberland War Pensions Committee in 1956, and used especially for neurasthenic cases – men suffering from the stress they had experienced in the trenches.
In 2004-5 the mansion was converted into residential units. Listed in November 1985.
Dunston Hill Park..
Land around Dunston Hill Mansion..
John Carr bought the Dunston Hill estate in 1704 from the Claverings and Shaftoes. In 1713-14 he acquired more land from Cuthbert Ellison and W. Grey. His son Ralph continued this enlargement. The view of the park from the house is currently obscured by hospital buildings, however an appreciation of the layout and site of the house can be gained by viewing it from the Team Valley. The park is now used as grazing land but the remains of a ha-ha are evident (small drop with wall in front of mansion) and magnificent trees are dispersed through the fields. The walled garden is currently being developed with new buildings. The park once boasted an icehouse and a large orchard.
The initial layout of the park was the work of John Carr. Many oak and ash trees were planted. Ralph continued his father's work by more planting and by twice enlarging the park. He planted fruit trees such as walnut, chestnut and cherry. In 1750 he diverted the Whickham and Dunston turnpike road and made a further alteration to the Whickham road in 1762, in order to make additions to the park. Ralph's son John diverted the road again to its present position from Glebe Farm to the top of Carr's Bank and removed the kitchen gardens from the north to the west of the house.
De-Listed Building..
Soap Works/Hide and Skin Works.
Soap works and former hide and skin works, 1907-8 and 1911-14. By L.G. Ekins, staff architect,for the Co-operative Wholesale Society.
Entire construction of L.G. Mouchel's Hennebique Ferro-Concrete. Flat roof. Modified Renaissance style. L-plan with basement on river front with access from quay. Main elevation to Colliery Road: 2 and 3 storeys, 15 bays; bays 5 to 8 are 3-storeyed. Flat pilasters define bays.
Ground floor windows and windows of 3-storey section round-headed with double-key blocks; these and all other 2-light windows concrete mullioned and transomed in raised concrete surrounds with sill aprons; all have glazing bars; a few windows blind. Modillioned cornice at first floor level; eaves string to 2-storey sections and modillioned eaves cornice to taller section under balustraded parapet. Loading doors under canopy in left return and under modillion eaves cornice in right return. One-storey 3-bay set-back right section has Diocletian windows over blind bays and loading bay.