About
Traverse Tyneside in all its multi-faceted allure, from a sandy seaside village to the site that once housed St Cuthbert’s remains through a titanic legacy of medieval magic, Industrial Age endeavour and sheer contemporary class.
Newcastle and Gateshead, the two areas in which The Angel’s Way spends most of its time, are potent symbols of how places can rise, fall and rise again to become cultural life forces. Few can deny today that these Tyneside locales showcase some of England’s most enticing arts and architecture, and even fewer would have thought this possible until quite recently in their respective histories.
It is hard to attribute Newcastle and Gateshead’s astonishing renaissance to any one event, for their potential was always huge. But one giant step along the way was when the Angel of the North, which would become Britain’s best-known and most-viewed sculpture, was built on a hill above Gateshead.
It was symbolic of many things, but most importantly of how Tyneside had turned a corner and was again becoming a big attraction to visitors to North East England. And so The Angel’s Way takes this as its inspiration. The path is one of the most cosmopolitan Northern Saints Trails, introducing you to some of the North East’s most noteworthy art galleries, museums and cultural venues. Were you to absorb everything on this route, you would need days in addition to actual walking time. But there is more than spectacular city sightseeing in the wings. You will also traverse the seldomvisited countryside on Tyneside’s fringes: peaceful sandy beach-side village Seaton Sluice, Grade 1 listed country mansion Seaton Delaval Hall or the divine wooded gorge of Jesmond Dene in Newcastle itself. And the walk concludes on a profound note: at the Chester-le-Street site that once housed St Cuthbert’s body before continuing on to Durham Cathedral. Hike the whole Angel’s Way, and flit between truly
world-class big city attractions and heavenly rural hinterlands.
For full route descriptions download the documents below.
Angel’s Way Temporary Closure
There is a temporary closure order affecting the Angel’s Way between points 68 and 69 on the map below. The closure is necessary on safety grounds owing to the collapse of a section of bankside alongside the Cong Burn that directly affects the path. Repairs to the bankside and reinstatement of the footpath will be complex and the footpath will need to remain closed for the full 6-month duration of the temporary closure, which can be extended if required.
Alternative Route available
An alternative pedestrian route is available using the footway alongside the B6313 Pelton Fell Road.
Please download the map for The Angel's Way Closure.
Video
- The Angels Way
TripAdvisor
Access Information
Highlights...
Saltwell Park and Saltwell Towers, GatesheadSaltwell Park, based in the heart of Gateshead, is one of Britain's finest examples of a Victorian Park. The park has seen an amazing transformation and has been restored to its Victorian splendour.
Durham Castle, Durham CityDurham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening can vary - All enquiries re guided tours should be directed Palace Green Library. Telephone 0191 334 2932 or castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.
Durham Cathedral, Durham CityThought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs of St Cuthbert and The Venerable Bede. Please check opening times before travelling.
Newcastle Cathedral, Newcastle upon TyneSt Nicholas Cathedral has been the home of a caring and worshipping community for over 900 years, offering visitors beautiful architecture and a place of serenity.
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, GatesheadBALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is currently closed in response to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will keep you updated as the situation changes. Housed in a landmark industrial building on the south bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead, BALTIC is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world -…
Shipley Art Gallery, GatesheadThe Shipley Art Gallery is the North East’s leading gallery for contemporary art and design and has one of the best collections of ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles and furniture outside of London. It is also home to William Irving’s painting The Blaydon Races.
Ankers House and St Mary & St Cuthbert's Church, Chester-le-StreetThe cathedral church and shrine of St Cuthbert from AD883 to 995 with attached anchorage containing displays on Roman, Saxon and medieval times.
Beamish - The Living Museum of the North, BeamishDiscover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time to the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s and become immersed in real, living history.
Angel of the North, GatesheadThe Gateshead Angel of the North is Britain's largest sculpture. Find travel information and directions to the Angel of the North.
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly Sage Gateshead), GatesheadThe Glasshouse International Centre for Music is the pioneering centre for music and musical discovery on the south bank of the River Tyne.
Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon TyneSee a large-scale, interactive model of Hadrian's Wall, major new displays showing the wonder of the animal and plant kingdoms, spectacular objects from the Ancient Greeks and mummies from Ancient Egypt, a planetarium and a life-size T-Rex.
Chester-le-Street, Chester-le-StreetChester-le-Street - a great north market town, home of the Durham Emirates Cricket Ground and proud of its Christian heritage.
Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon TyneJesmond Dene is a unique haven of peace and tranquillity for the people of Newcastle.
World Heritage Site Visitor Centre at Palace Green Library, Durham CityProviding a perfect introduction to the Durham World Heritage Site for all ages, the visitor centre is the gateway to discovering what it is that makes Durham so significant, and what there is to see and do around the peninsula.
Seaton Delaval Hall, Seaton SluiceSeaton Delaval may have been one of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh’s smallest country houses; but it was home to the larger than life Delaval family.
Historic Libraries & Archives at Palace Green Library, Durham CityOver almost two centuries since Durham University was founded, our library and archive collections have been growing and evolving with new books, manuscripts and archives being added every year.
Grey's Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne
Watch House Museum, Seaton SluiceThe Watch House on Rocky Island in Seaton Sluice was opened on 14th January 1880, built for the Seaton Sluice Volunteer Life-Saving Company which was founded earlier in 1876. The building served as an auxiliary coast guard station until 1990. At the end of the 18th century, the greatest number of…
St Mary's Chapel, JesmondJesmond or Jesus' mound was an important place of pilgrimage, it centred around St Mary’s chapel which can be found on the west bank of Jesmond Dene and is now a historical ruin. Legend has it that an apparition of the blessed virgin Mary appeared here now known as St Mary's rock in Jesmond Dene,…
Seaton Sluice Beach, Seaton SluiceLinking Seaton Sluice to Blyth the long strip of sand and grassy dunes make for wonderful beach for the whole family. Activities here include bathing and surfing. There is a small harbour with amazing views and a variety of plat and animal life can be spotted amongst the dunes. This stretch of land…
Seaton Sluice, Seaton SluiceSeaton Sluice is a coastal village at the mouth of the Seaton Burn. It has a small, sleepy harbour and a number of pubs, shops and places to eat. It is quiet resort which shows little sign of its industrial past. Visitors here can get involved with surfing and the spot is also popular with…