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Hotspur Street, NORTH SHIELDS, NE30 4EN

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In the mid 19th century Tynemouth was growing in popularity as a commuter village following the opening of the railway link to Newcastle. Seizing upon the opportunity, the then Duke of Northumberland put forward plans for a substantial residential housing development on his land on the north and east edge of the village. The sweeping crescent of Percy Gardens with its grand houses, private gated road, railed communal gardens commanding magnificent views of King Edward's Bay and Tynemouth Priory and Castle was the exclusive showpiece of this development. Plots were leased to individuals who employed their own architects and built their own houses in ones, twos and sometimes in fours in a restrained Victorian style achieving an attractive degree of architectural harmony. Most were built during the 1870s. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

This row of buildings first appeared on the Ordnance Survey Six-Inch map of the area in 1898, and was probably built in the 1870s at the same time as the Grand Hotel and the houses in Percy Gardens. The Grand Hotel was initially built in 1872 as a summer residence for the Duchess of Northumberland although in 1877 it was converted into an hotel. One of the many early amenities of the hotel was that of, "good stabling", and that is what these cottages were originally used for. Even to this day, the Grand Hotel boasts that, "Car and motorbike garages are available at 'The Stables Garages' 30 metres from the hotel", a stone's throw from these cottages. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

Impressive houses at Tynemouth Front.

Past and Present!

Used by 5th Northumberland VA Hospital during the First World War.