Armstrong Bridge

Armstrong Bridge was first opened in 1878, and donated to the people by Lord William Armstrong. The bridge spans a deep ravine and it is said that Lord Armstrong had the bridge built because his wife Margaret was unhappy to see horses struggle to pull the carts and carriages from East Jesmond into Jesmond and Newcastle. Two years after the opening of the bridge Lord Armstrong landscaped the valley South of the bridge and gave it to the people of Newcastle. The bridge was built with eight wrought iron lattice girders and measures 550 feet in length, is supported on 7 columns and varies in height from 30 to 65 feet.

In 1963 the bridge was closed to traffic and the Sunday Arts and Craft Market started to take place. The market still runs to this day every Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. selling items as diverse as leather goods, contemporary art, mirrors handmade from reclaimed wood, greetings cards, sculpture, knitwear and framed prints of local scenes.