Monkseaton has a long historical past, and dates back to at least the 12th century, when it was simply known as ‘Seton’. This is probably a derivative of the words ‘Sea’ and ‘Tun’, i.e. the village being near to the sea, and a tun, meaning a hill or rise. When King Henry I granted lands to the Prior of Tynemouth circa 1106, the name was altered to … [Read more...]

George Williams was born on 11th October 1821 in Somerset. After experiencing work in a drapery shop in London, he became concerned about the many young shop assistants who worked long hours and lived in cramped conditions. At the age of 20 he embarked on a mission to change the lives of his fellow workers and share his Christian faith, and so started a prayer … [Read more...]

Rose Cottage was situated on the west side of Chapel Lane and stood slightly to the north of the Chapel itself, separated only by a small blacksmith’s shop which stood between the two buildings. It is recorded that the inn dates from 1795 when it opened as an ale house under the name of ‘The Three Horse Shoes’. Although there is no definitive evidence, an … [Read more...]

Over the past 200 years, Tynemouth has been home to a total of around 26 Inns, Taverns, Hotels and Public Houses. If we limit the count to the old established or purpose-built licensed houses within the central core of the village, i.e. those in the immediate vicinity of Front Street, then the number drops to around 15. A selection of these premises include the … [Read more...]

After the Second World War, the country was saddled with huge debts, food was in short supply and rationing was still in force; as a result, the potential earnings from coal were exploited by the government to assist in meeting these debts. In February 1948, the first coal was removed from a site on Rake Lane, and by the summer of the same year, open cast mining … [Read more...]

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies, and is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values whose members are taught its precepts (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas - a progression of allegorical two-part plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge - which follow ancient … [Read more...]

Originally part of the Parish of Earsdon, New Hartley Village lies a mile inland from Seaton Sluice, and about a mile to the north east of Seaton Delaval. In 1844, the Hartley New Pit or Hester Pit was sunk. Working conditions were good and output was high but water and flooding problems necessitated the installation of a powerful pumping engine at the pit head. No … [Read more...]

Records indicate that early in the thirteenth century, when the present Tynemouth Priory was under construction, the monks had gardens where they grew herbs to make medicine for the poor. They also had a nearby brew-house where various ales were produced, and the younger monks had to learn the secret of brewing the herbs and extracting the virtue to make it ready for … [Read more...]

Until the late 1960s, one of the most well known farms in Monkseaton was Red House Farm, although its correct title was actually Monkseaton Red House. In years gone by, to reach this farm from the village, it was necessary to turn left off Monkseaton Front Street at Monkseaton Brewery and travel for approximately a quarter of a mile along Turpins Lane (Relton … [Read more...]

Designed by local architect J.R. Wallace, with building work being completed in 1939, the Park Hotel was once regarded as one of the most modern and up to date establishments in the country with a commanding and prominent position on the seafront. At this time, access to the hotel was only possible from Grand Parade, as the short link road connecting The Broadway … [Read more...]