Westerhope
Encyclopedia
Founded originally to the West of Newcastle upon Tyne
, England (hence the name) to provide housing for working families with sufficient land to grow vegetables, Westerhope expanded substantially in Victorian times with the discovery of workable coal reserves.
The coal reserves have now been largely exhausted and the two pits - Coronation & North Walbottle - have long since closed. After the extraction of 21.5 million tons of coal, the North Walbottle pit was closed in 1968 as further coal extraction would have risked undermining the runway of Newcastle airport
, which lies about 5 miles to the North.
The westward expansion of Newcastle upon Tyne saw Westerhope incorporated into the city as part of the 1973 local government reorganisation. This coincided with large owner-occupied housing estates - Chapel House
, Chapel Park, St John's - being developed on the west of Westerhope. At one time these were claimed to be the largest such developments in Europe, although the source of such claims is unclear. Additionally a substantial social housing development, Newbiggin Hall Estate was built at around the same time to the North of the village.
Due to road developments, Westerhope lies in a favourable transport location, in the crook of the A1 / A69 junction. This gives good communications to the West, North & South. In contrast, because of the hilly nature of the land, Westerhope has been excluded from the Tyne and Wear Metro
system and public transport links to the city centre rely on buses. Additionally, a dual carriageway links the North side of the village to the airport.
Westerhope is now largely a "dormitory" to Newcastle city, although some light industry exists around the "Cobblers Corner" area, which is the historic core of the village.
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, England (hence the name) to provide housing for working families with sufficient land to grow vegetables, Westerhope expanded substantially in Victorian times with the discovery of workable coal reserves.
The coal reserves have now been largely exhausted and the two pits - Coronation & North Walbottle - have long since closed. After the extraction of 21.5 million tons of coal, the North Walbottle pit was closed in 1968 as further coal extraction would have risked undermining the runway of Newcastle airport
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle International Airport is located in Woolsington in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, north-west of the city centre. In 2010 it was the 11th busiest airport in the United Kingdom....
, which lies about 5 miles to the North.
The westward expansion of Newcastle upon Tyne saw Westerhope incorporated into the city as part of the 1973 local government reorganisation. This coincided with large owner-occupied housing estates - Chapel House
Chapel House Estate
Chapel House is a suburban estate in the outer west of Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. It is approximately 4 miles directly from the city centre...
, Chapel Park, St John's - being developed on the west of Westerhope. At one time these were claimed to be the largest such developments in Europe, although the source of such claims is unclear. Additionally a substantial social housing development, Newbiggin Hall Estate was built at around the same time to the North of the village.
Due to road developments, Westerhope lies in a favourable transport location, in the crook of the A1 / A69 junction. This gives good communications to the West, North & South. In contrast, because of the hilly nature of the land, Westerhope has been excluded from the Tyne and Wear Metro
Tyne and Wear Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro, also known as the Metro, is a light rail system in North East England, serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland. It opened in 1980 and in 2007–2008 provided 40 million public journeys on its network of nearly...
system and public transport links to the city centre rely on buses. Additionally, a dual carriageway links the North side of the village to the airport.
Newcastle Airport
Newcastle International Airport is located in Woolsington in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne, England, north-west of the city centre. In 2010 it was the 11th busiest airport in the United Kingdom....
Westerhope is now largely a "dormitory" to Newcastle city, although some light industry exists around the "Cobblers Corner" area, which is the historic core of the village.