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Museum
Seven Stories
National Centre for Children's Books in a seven-level Victorian mill, the only UK museum devoted to the art of British children's books.
A mini guide to
Ouseburn and Jesmond
A valley of workshops, pubs and children's books, and a wooded dene
Photos
1 / 5Welcome to the area
A valley of workshops, pubs and children's books, and a wooded dene
The lower Ouseburn valley, east of the city centre, is spanned by three bridges and lined with former mills and warehouses. Seven Stories, the national centre for children's books, the Biscuit Factory gallery, Ouseburn Farm and several pubs and music venues sit within a few minutes of each other.
Upstream, the burn runs through Jesmond Dene, a wooded valley park first laid out by Lord Armstrong. Jesmond itself is a leafy suburb with restaurants and bars along Osborne Road and Acorn Road, and the Great North Museum and Hatton Gallery are on its southern edge near the Haymarket.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
City farm
Ouseburn Farm
Charity-run city farm in the Ouseburn valley, between the Byker Bridge and the railway viaduct.
Art gallery
The Biscuit Factory
Commercial art, craft and design gallery in a converted Victorian warehouse, opened in 2002.
Directions Website Report a problem with The Biscuit Factory
Historic tunnel
Victoria Tunnel
Wagonway tunnel built in 1839-42 to carry coal from Spital Tongues to the Tyne; the Ouseburn entrance is used for tours.
Bridge
Byker Bridge
Road bridge of 1878 carrying the A193 high over the lower Ouseburn valley.
Railway viaduct
Ouseburn Viaduct
Railway viaduct of 1839 by John and Benjamin Green, rebuilt in wrought iron about 30 years later; Grade II* listed.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Ouseburn and Jesmond and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Walk the valley
The Ouseburn joins the Tyne at the eastern end of the Quayside, so you can walk upstream from the river to Seven Stories and Ouseburn Farm.
2
Book the Victoria Tunnel
The 19th-century wagonway under the city is visited on guided tours run by the Ouseburn Trust. Check its website for dates.
3
Plan Jesmond Dene as a walk
Paths follow the burn through the dene past the Armstrong Bridge. Wear shoes for uneven, sometimes muddy paths.
4
Live music
Pubs such as the Cluny, the Cumberland Arms and the Tyne Bar host gigs. Each publishes its own listings.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Ouseburn and Jesmond (area photo): Mary Carson, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Seven Stories: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ouseburn Farm: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Biscuit Factory: Frombowen, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Victoria Tunnel: CDC, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Byker Bridge: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ouseburn Viaduct: yellow book, CC BY 2.0, source
- Jesmond Dene: Robert Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Armstrong Bridge: PaulTurner, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Jesmond Old Cemetery: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Jesmond Parish Church: Roger Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Great North Museum: Hancock: TubularWorld, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Tynemouth: Dposte46, Public domain, source
- Quayside and Gateshead: Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Grainger Town: JimmyGuano, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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