Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
Farnacres, Gateshead
Last Updated:
14 Sept 2020
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
'The earliest reference to the placename is in Boldon Buke (c.1183 survey of land belonging to the Bishop of Durham, Hugh du Puiset), where Eudo de Lucelles is recorded as holding one ploughland of 120 acres for the tenth part of one knight's fee. In Hatfield's Survey (c.1382), where it is listed under Kibblesworth, Robert Umfravill held the manor of Farnacres for foreign service at 2s per annum. In the early 17th century it belonged to a junior branch of the Liddell family, and when they died out it was acquired by the Liddells of Ravensworth who are said to have used it as a dower house. Demolished in the 1930s for the Team Valley Trading Estate, its site is now close to or under the Western Bypass.' - Sitelines
'Farnacres,was situated in splendid isolation on the northern section of what is now the Team Valley and was originally part of the Saltwellside Estate. Although it was not a particularly notable house in any way, it was pleasant looking -–a long house with a sweeping verandah.
John Barras the brewer lived here and the last occupant was F W Bernard known as the Low Fell giant. Inside, the house even boasted its own museum. Mark Archer lived there at one time.
From the mid 1930’s the Team Valley Trading Estate encroached more and more and the house was eventually demolished in the 1960’s.' - Gatesheadhistory.com
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
Photograph of the Museum Room in Farnacres, featuring taxidermy, rocks and minerals...
Retrieved from Gatesheadhistory.com