Located in the east end of Newcastle upon Tyne, Heaton is a popular area for students.
With many takeaways and pubs, the nightlife is second only to the city centre.
Linking most of the commercial areas such as Chillingham Road, Shields Road, Osbourne Road & Newcastle City Centre, Heaton is therefore the centre for many people in the City.
Heaton Park is the main park in Heaton, accessible from Heaton Park Road the park has a lot history. Linking to Armstrong park which was given to the people of the city by Lord Armstrong, it provides people with fantastic scenery and a lovely walk.
The name Heaton means High Settlement, probably referring to its position above the River Ouseburn, a tributary of the River Tyne.
Heaton first appears as Hactona in 1157 and then as Hoton in 1279. Hoton is referred to as Haugh-ton, meaning the village on the Haugh of the Ouseburn.
The township was included in the municipal boundaries of Newcastle in 1896.
The manor of Heaton was originally part of the barony of Robert de Gaugy, who was one of King John’s most trustworthy knights and who on a number of occasions entertained the king when he was in the North. Later it belonged to the Babbingtons of Harnham.
Henry Babbington was knighted by King James I for the loyal entertainment he had provided for the monarch at Heaton Hall on 1 May 1617. The Hall was a convenient home for the family as it was situated amongst the collieries they owned. Sir Matthew White Ridley added two towers to the original Hall, which had been just a plain, square, brick building. The Hall and grounds were bought by Addison Langhorn Potter in 1840.
Addison Langhorn Potter was so upset at its rundown dondition that he immediately set about a restoration programme. He also renovated the remains of the thirteenth-century chapel known as King John’s Tower. The Hall was eventually demolished in 1933 to make way for new housing, which became known as Heaton Hall Estate.
Heaton Road was a major access route leading from Shields Road to the new Coast Road. From 1880 to 1910 this road, along with the many terraces, avenues and places, became a popular residential area. Tramlines were laid along Heaton Road and Shields Road in 1901, which gives an indication just how important these routes had become. For many years coal mining was an important part of Heaton’s industrial heritage. On 30 April 1850 disaster struck High Heaton Colliery, which was in an area now known as Spinney Park. When miners broke through to old mine workings, water flooded the pit. One of the seventy-five miners who perished, thirty-four were mere boys. Seventy-five trees were planted on the site, one for each man and boy killed.