Enjoy a glimpse of history through old images of Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Fenham 1880-1919
At the end of the 1800s, one part of Fenham was dominated by the estate of Fenham Hall, owned by the Blackett-Ord family, surrounded by fields and trees. The Georgian estate had been established for John Ord, the Mayor of Newcastle, with the hall completed in 1748, but wasn’t part of Fenham township until 1905.
The other parts of Fenham, including Arthur’s Hill and the Westgate area, were terraces for the workers in densely populated areas, surrounded by back alleys and industry. There were some streets with spacious middle class homes, too.
If you look carefully, you’ll notice both cows and horses appearing in several photos from this period.
The Sacret Heart Nuns purchased Fenham Hall in 1905, and opened the St Mary’s Training college for Catholic students and school for girls there. Their legacy lives on today, through the Sacret Heart Catholic High School.
Surprisingly, given what happened to the majority of large houses in and around Newcastle, Fenham Hall still stands today. The other estate buildings, and roads through the estate, would soon disappear.
Old photo of the private road leading to Fenham Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1880Old photo of Todd’s Nook, Fenham, in 1895Old photo of Derby Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1897Old photo of the Tram Staff at Wingrove Depot, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1900Old photo of Chelsea Cottage, Chelsea Grove, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1903Old photo of the column balls at Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1905Old photo of the Lodge to Fenham Hall at Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1905Closeup of an old photo of the Lodge to Fenham Hall at Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1905Old photo of the junction of Two Ball Lonnen and the West Turnpike, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1905Old photo of the entrance to Fenham Laundry (the buildings in the background), Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1905 Old photo of the Fenham Hall Lodge at Fenham Laundry, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1905Old photo of the trams at Wingrove Depot, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in the early 20th CenturyOld photo of a classroom at St Mary’s Teacher Training College, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1908Undated photo of Fenham Barracks, Newcastle upon TyneOld photo of the tram terminus at Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1910Closeup of an old photo of the tram terminus at Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1910.jpegOld photo of Moorside South, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1910Old photo of Nuns Moor Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1910Old photo of Westgate Road advertising board, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1910Old photos of posters on a building at the corner of Hindhaugh Street and Barrack Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1911Old photo of the staff at the Wingrove Depot, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 19151919 sketch of the new Dame Allan’s School in Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne
Fenham in the 1920s
World War 1 ended in November 1918. Just over a year later saw the arrival of the 1920s, when fashion, music, transport, housing, society, and so much more was about to be transformed.
Old photo of the Church of St James and St Basil, Wingrove Road North, Fenham, Newcastle upon TyneOld photo of Cherryburn Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1920Closeup of an old photo of Cherryburn Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1920Old photo of the B Class tram accident in Stanhope Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1924Old class photo at Wingrove Primary School, Hadrian Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon TYne, in 19241927 photo of roadworks on Kingsway at the junction with Fenham Hall Drive, with Simonburn Avenue visible in the background1927 photo of the first six homes built on Kingsway, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1927 photo of Moorcroft, Kingsway, Fenham, Newcastle upon TyneOld photo of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Fenham, Newcastle upon TyneOld photo of the Sacred Heart Primary School, Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne
Fenham in the 1930s
By now, Two Ball Lonnen has changed beyond all recognition. Fenham Hall may still be standing, but the gates, lodges and Fenham Laundry have all disappeared.
It’s thought that the Blackett-Ord family, who had owned Fenham Hall, took the two balls from the gate columns and moved them to Whitfield Hall in Northumberland when they left Newcastle.
The fields and woods are rapidly making way for modern housing estates, expanding urban Fenham ever outwards.
Meanwhile, the authorities have assessed the Victorian terraces and buildings near the city centre and found them wanting for safe and acceptable habitation. Luckily, photographs were taken of the condemned buildings before the demolition teams received their orders, so we have a record of how these streets and properties looked.
Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1930Old photo of The Cottage and Todd Nook’s School, New Mills, Newcastle upon TyneOld photo of The Cottage, New Mills, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 19351935 photo of the Plaza Cinema, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon TyneRegal Cinema, Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in August 19351937 photo of the condemned houses at Numbers 2 & 4 Hall Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1937 of two condemned houses at 16 and 18 William Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1937 photo of the condemned houses at 3 and 5 Mansfield Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1937 photo of condemned houses at Bayley Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, with Sumemerhill Square in the background1937 photo of the rear of condemned houses at 3, 5 & 7 Mansfield Street, and 2, 8 & 10 Bayley Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1937 photo of condemned houses at numbers 29, 31, 33 and 35 Hindhaugh Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1937 photos of the condemned house at 22 Hindhaugh Street and the rear of Barrack Road and Wellington Street, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne
Fenham & Arthur’s Hill in the 1950s
Old photo of the rear of 1 Hamilton Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1950 when the condemned property was awaiting demolitionOld photo of Holy Cross Church, West Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1957Old photo of St Robert’s Church, Cedar Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, taken in either 1957 or 1958
Fenham in the 1960s
Old photo of the Park Keeper’s house at the entrance to Nun’s Moor Park, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1960Old photo of Scottish Brewers Ltd at 19 and 21 Derby Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1961, when the properties were on the Compulosry Purchase Order schedule for demolitionOld photo of the rear of 40 Bayley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1961, prior to demolitionOld photo of the rear of numbers 44 and 46 Mansfield Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1961 when scheduled for demolitionOld photo of the rear of Mansfield Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1961, scheduled for demolitionOld photo of Bell Street, west end of Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1961Old photo of numbers 54 and 56 Cookson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in the 1961 Compulsory Purchase Order scheduleOld photo of a shop and homes in Cookson Street and Mary Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1961Old photo of Mary Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1964Old photo and closeup of a house in Mary Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1964Old photo of the corner of Mary Street and Liddle Road, west end of Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1964Old photo of Fenham Clinic on Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1965Old photo, and closeup, of St Augustine’s Church, Brighton Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1965Old photo of the West End Congregational Church, Ovington Grove, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1965Old photo of Rutherford Grammar School, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1967Closeup of housing from an old photo of Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1967Closeup extract from an old photo of Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1967Closeup of houses in a photo of Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1967Old photo of St Mary’s Teacher Training College, Convent of the Sacret Heart, Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1967Old photo of road improvements at Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1968Old photo of the junction on Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1969
Nuns Moor Park, Fenham 1960s – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Back in the 1960s, Fenham Baths was a great place for kids to learn and play. Over the years the council closed the pool, then a community group tried to keep the facility going, but by 2019 the doors were forced to close permanently.
Fenham Baths 1968 – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
In 1969, local families came to greet the girl guides as they returned from camp.
Fenham Girl Guides 1969- Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
These scenes of Fenham childhood from the 1960s & 70s includes a CND march.
Fenham Kids 1960s-70s – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Fenham in the 1970s
Old photo of two boys at Westgate Hill Primary School, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1975
Rutherford School Newcastle National Swim Champs 1975 – Ian Oliver
88 Fenham Hall Drive 1976 – Butterflies – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Old photo of the roundabout at the junction of Lanercost Drive, Cedar Road, and Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 19771977 photo of Philip Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, with Sutton’s Dwellings in the background1977 photo of Stanhope Street, Newcastle upon TyneOld photo of numbers 169 to 185 Monday Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1977Old photos of the Domestic Science and Art Room at Rutherford School, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 19771977 photo of the junction of Palm Avenue and Hadrian Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne1977 photo of Moorside South, Fenham, Newcastle upon TynePhoto of Moorside North, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1978Photo of Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1978Photo of Barrington Street and the derelict land near Todd Nook School, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1978Old photo of Arthurs Hill Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1978
Fenham in the 1980s
Roadworks on Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1980Photo of the children’s playground at Nuns Moor Park, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1980Modern flats in the Stanhope Street area of Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1983Photos of Moorside Primary School, Beaconsfield Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1983
A cine camera captures glimpses of Fenham in 1983.
Fenham ’83 – David Rigg (YouTube)
17 Wingrove Road, Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, circa 1985
These home movies from the mid 1980s were recorded in and around Fenham. Scenes include Fenham Hall Drive, Cedar Road, Hadrian Road, Bolbec Road, Newminster Road, Two Ball Lonnen, West Road, Nuns Moor, Cow Hill, and the Oven Door tea room.
Driving around Fenham in the 1980s – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Fenham, Cow Hill & The Oven Door Tea Room 1985 – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Fenham Hall Drive 1985 – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Fenham mid-1980s (extended version) – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Fenham – Newcastle Upon Tyne Mid-1980s – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
Nuns Moor 1985 – Newcastle Upon Tyne & UK – Video from the past (YouTube)
1986 photo of children at Westgate Hill Primary School, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne1987 photo of teachers and children at Moorside Primary School. Newcastle upon Tyne, holding up guys for Bonfire Night
Fenham in the 1990s
Aerial photo of Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1995Closeup of an aerial photo of Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1995Closeup of terraced houses from an aerial photo of Arhtur’s Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1995Closeup extract from a 1995 aerial photo of Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon TyneCloseup extract of a 1995 aerial photo of Arthur’s Hill, Newcastle upon TynePhoto of Fenham Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1997Photo of Westgate Community College, West Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1997Two photos of Nuns Moor Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1997Photo of Sacret Heart Primary School on Convent Lane, and Convent of the Sacred Heart on Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1997
The 21st Century
Fenham presented by youngsters in 2008.
Fenham Tours – pinpoint08 (YouTube)
Snow in Fenham, Newcastle 2010 – wkdmahfuz (YouTube)
A bike road from Wingrove Road to Newcastle University in 2011.
from Fenham to Newcastle University, by bike – Andres Emen (YouTube)
2014 saw the reopening of Fenham Library, in partnership with Newcastle City Council.
Fenham Library, Newcastle upon Tyne – YHNNewcastle (YouTube)
The History of Fenham
Mike Greatbatch is a well known and well respected historian on Tyneside.
In this short film created to complement the Discovery Museum’s 2013 ‘West end Stories’ exhibition, he talks about the history of Fenham.
West End Stories: Mike Greatbach – TWMuseums (YouTube)
Map of Fenham in 1917
This is an extract of the Boundary Commission map of 1917, showing Fenham, Arthur’s Hill, and the surrounding area.
Extract of the Boundary Commission map of 1917, showing Fenham, Arthurs Hill, and Denton
I’ve added today’s Google map of the area so you can compare how building, development, and the decline of industry have changed the area.
Old Photos of Fenham & Arthur’s Hill
In the first video of old photos of Fenham and Arthur’s Hill from 1880 to 1949, you’ll see the two filial balls which gave Two Ball Lonnen their name, trams and horses on familiar roads, and the country lanes which became bustling roads and housing estates within fifty years.
Old Photos of Fenham and Arthur’s Hill – Part 1 (1880-1949) – Local History Videos on YouTube
In the second video, the old photos of Fenham and Arthur’s Hill taken between 1950 and 1997 show us many streets and homes which have long disappeared, as well as the buildings and facilities many of today’s adults remember from their childhood.
Old Photos of Fenham & Arthur’s Hill Part 2 (1950-1997) – Local History Videos on YouTube
Hi, I’m Debbie. I’ve enjoyed books, films, and documentaries about history for more than 30 years. My favourite trips with friends and family are to museums, historic houses, archaeological sites, and I love unearthing old photos and archive film bringing history to life.
