Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Farnacres, Gateshead
Last Updated:
27 Jun 2025
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
This is a
Manor
54.934164, -1.627335
Founded in
Current status is
Demolished
Designer (if known):
Site now occupied by A1 and Dukesway, Team Valley Trading Estate
You'll all have travelled on this bit of the A1 sandwiched between the Team Valley estate and Lobley Hill. It really wasn't that long ago however that this was still idyllic countryside reserved for the top hats & coal barons...
The woodland in the foreground was the site of Farnacres - a manorial estate going back to medieval times. It was mentioned in the Boldon Buke, as well as a survey from 1382. Robert Umfravill - a veteran of Agincourt, Otterburn and Baugé held it in the early 14th century alongside tons of other land in the North East.
It was later owned by a branch of the famous Gateshead Liddell family, who are more known for owning Ravensworth Castle nearby. They amassed huge weath as merchants, but became political staples in the region as Sheriffs and extensive property owners. The Ravensworth Liddell's later took it on as a Dower house, i.e the residence of the widow.
The Farnacres manor we see on the shots below dates from this time in the 17th century. It was surrounded by gorgeous gardens and countryside every side of the house.
The 19th century saw various tenants. Most notably this includes John Barras, who established a brewery in Whickham & Gateshead, but later took over the Tyne Brewery at Bath Lane. His son, also named John Barras, was a major player when Newcastle Breweries swallowed up the firm.
In the early 20th century the house featured its own taxidermy museum as well as an extensive rock and mineral collection. Unfortunately though, this was a great victim of the Tyne Valley estate's expansion. It fell into ruin, and was demolished in the 1960s.
Listing Description (if available)
The two Ordnance Survey maps above illustrate the Team Valley area in the latter half of the 19th century. The first further above shows Farnacres in the 1850s, not too far from the Team Colliery Waggonway and Tileshed Wood. It was very much a country house in splended isolation, situated on the country lane between Dunston and Lamesley (similar to the route followed by the current A1). Little development was seen here, with it mostly being woodland and country houses. Trench Hall isn't too far westwards.
Little had changed by 1898, though an old country hall had been demolished immediately southwards. The sprawl of Low Fell wasn't too far up the valley, though even at this stage there was little interruption, and was a world away from its current purpose.
Above is the Ordnance Survey from 1921. Along the same vein little has changed in the area, and likely won't until the development of the Team Valley Industrial Estate a few decades later. The area must have been like stepping back in time at this point compared to the burgeoning settlement of Low Hill to the east.
Photograph of Farnacres House, 1900. This gorgeous manor was absolutely huge, and has been situated there since around the 14th century. The estate was even bigger, with extended buildings to the rear.
Retrieved from Gatesheadhistory.com
Another photograph of the estate, this time from the drive up to the main dwelling. The sprawling gardens and perfectly mowed lawns exhibit the comfort the owners must have lived in. It's worth baring in mind this is now the A1 western bypass, a world away...
Retrieved from Gatesheadhistory.com
The site in May 2025