The Lower Ouseburn Valley Conservation Area was established in October 2000 in recognition of the unique and varied history of the area. The line of Hadrian’s Wall runs across the Valley, and the Lower Ouseburn Valley was one of the main cradles of the industrial revolution on Tyneside.
Since the 17th Century, when the Valley held the England-wide monopoly on glassworks, a wide range of industries have been based here including lead works, ironworks, lime works, mills and potteries.
Industry was attracted here due to the position on the river Ouseburn and river Tyne which provided transport and power. It also developed into a community with terraced housing beneath the rail and road bridges and a local school.
Visually, it is a stunning area with many individually distinctive buildings. The area is full of character and has a strong sense of place as a result of its dramatic natural setting, past industrial use and the historic buildings that remain.
The Valley is valued highly for its dramatic setting, and the contrast provided by its lush green spaces and historic industrial structures. It holds a prime position close to the Newcastle Quayside, and is the best surviving example of the industrialised tributaries of the Tyne.
There are a number of interesting heritage structures within the area. Hadrian’s Wall runs from west to east along the top of the Valley and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means that there are guidelines in place to protect it from being damaged. The area also has a number of important listed buildings, including the Byker Wall, Victoria Tunnel and Ouseburn railway viaduct.
The Valley has a constantly evolving character. Originally agricultural land, industry took over followed by the development of a self-sustaining community. Despite the decline of the area in the mid-20th Century, it retains its evolving character to this day.