Benton, Northumberland

Benton
Northumberland
Location
Grid reference:	NZ265689
Location:	55°-0’50"N, 1°35’13"W
Data
Population:	10,359  (2011)
Local Government
Council:	North Tyneside

Benton is a village of Northumberland, which has become engulfed by the conurbation and which is to be found four miles north east of Newcastle upon Tyne.

History

The centre of the Benton district is the old village of Long Benton which stretches along Front Street on the Old Coast Road. The opening of the station in the nineteenth century caused the district around the railway to be developed as a desirable, out-of-town suburb.

Benton retains its character to this day and two areas, around the village itself and around the station, have been designated as conservation areas.

Benton Metro station dates from 1871. The line was electrified in the early years of the twentieth century and later became part of the Metro system. The original station buildings are still in use.

Architecture

There are also Metro stations at Four Lane Ends and Longbenton. To the north west of the station, stretching across to South Gosforth, is Longbenton Estate, which is undergoing substantial redevelopment and refurbishment.

Northumbria University has a campus on Coach Lane.

There are four public houses in the village: The Benton Alehouse (formerly The Sun Inn), The Black Bull, The Ship Inn and The Fusilier. An Italian restaurant, Casa Antonio, is situated on Front Street.

Churches

• Church of England:
  • St Bartholomew's Church, Long Benton
  • St Mary Magdalene on West Farm Avenue
• Methodist and URC:
  • St Andrew's Church (combined)
  • Longbenton Estate; Methodist
• Roman Catholic:
  • St Aidan's
  • St Paul's

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Benton, Northumberland)