Description

1. BENSHAM ROAD
5099
Bensham Grove
(Community Centre)
NZ 2560 NZ 26SW 1&6/107

II

2.
Early C19 with mid and late C19 alterations. Coursed stone with ashlar dressings.
Fairly low pitched Welsh slate roof, with three corniced stone chimney stacks.
Moulded eaves cornice and frieze; cill bands. Two storeys, six windows. Quoins
to angles and windows, two original sashes, the rest modern. Doric prostyle porch
in third bay, later canted and square bays to right. Later brick right extension
with stone dressings. Half-octagonal ended conservatory to left. On entrance
front, a two-bay entrance wing dated 1875. Some original windows on rear elevation.
Some good late C19 stained glass windows with floral panels and figures in
Burne-Jones style; and some arts-and-crafts metalwork to doors.

Bensham Grove is chiefly notable as the home of Robert Spence Watson (1837-1911),
the most notable citizen of Gateshead. He was secretary of the Newcastle Literary
and Philosophical Society, co-founder of many educational institutions including
the Gateshead High School and the Newcastle College of Science (now the University
of Newcastle upon Tyne). He was, for more than two decades, secretary of the
Newcastle Liberal Association and, although he never stood for Parliament, was
appointed a Privy Councillor. He was perhaps best known for pioneer work in
arbitration of industrial disputes.

Listing NGR: NZ2466162001

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26540746

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)