IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Argyle Street, NORTH SHIELDS, NE30 4EX

Terraced housing which offers substantial accommodation to the occupants

When the first Ordnance Survey Six-Inch map of the area was published in 1865 (surveyed 1858), this part of Percy Street was named as 'Back Street' and continued uninterrupted along what is now St. Oswin's Place. This property stands close to the junction with Percy Park Road and forms part of the historic core of Tynemouth Village. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

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 post box, previously sited across the road on the corner of St. Oswin's Place, stands outside the current post office at 27-31 Percy Park Road and dates from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837–1901). The Royal Mail is a key partner in the Government's Coronavirus testing programme and collect completed testing kits from over 35,000 specially selected post boxes of which this is one (see stickers attached to the box). For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

Looking south away from the coast towards the centre of the "village" - although this community is certainly rather larger than the word suggests

A stone plaque set into the façade above the entrance would seem to suggest that this building was erected in 1882. This is incorrect. On the 16th May 1810, foundation stones were laid on this site, in the presence of a large gathering, for what was to be a Wesleyan Chapel. The chapel opened sometime later and continued to be used as such until 1870, when it was replaced by a new Wesleyan Chapel on Front Street Tynemouth on the site where Timothy Duff Court now stands. In 1882 alterations were carried out to the building so that it could be used as a Sunday School. A later photograph shows that the current stone date plaque was merely part of a larger stone frieze set into the then brick façade of the building which bore the wording, "Wesleyan AD 1882 School". In 1972 the building was purchased by the Tynemouth Priory Theatre Club, and converted into a 189-seat theatre. The theatre club, which is a registered charity, was formed in 1946 by Miss Ria Thompson with the first plays being performed in Holy Saviour's Parish Hall, Manor Way, Tynemouth. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk