Ouseburn

Once the cradle of the industrial revolution on Tyneside, the Ouseburn area is once again becoming a vibrant place to live, work and play thanks to imaginative, culture-led regeneration projects and the enthusiasm and commitment of the local community. Now the stunning townscape, set against fields, two rivers and six bridges, is home to artists, musicians, long established and new creative businesses, visitor and educational attractions and, increasingly, residents.

The place we call Ouseburn covers an area of around 100 hectares. Locally, the name is most often associated with the small area on Lime Street around the Cluny, Seven Stories and Ouseburn Farm, or the immediate banks of the river itself, but the Regeneration Area extends much further, including the area around the Biscuit Factory, Stepney Bank, parts of Byker, Hoults Yard and, of course, the Ouseburn mouth area.

After being at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution on Tyneside, the Valley suffered with the decline of heavy industry in the mid 20th century until the beginnings of regeneration in the 1980’s. Since the new millennium, the pace of change has quickened. The old regulars who frequent its quirky pubs and music venues are now joined by students, young professionals and creative types, making for a really unusual and friendly crowd. The Ouseburn's long-established businesses such as Ouseburn Farm (formerly Byker City Farm) and Stepney Bank Stables, which are evolving through investment in their facilities, increasingly find new neighbours in artists’ studios, visitor attractions such as the nationally recognised Seven Stories and The Biscuit Factory, new creative business space such as at Hoults Yard and hotels, restaurants and accommodation. 

Highlights of the area include the Cluny, a must if you like real ale and good quality pub grub with great live music in the evenings; The Biscuit Factory, where you'll find contemporary art by local and international artists to browse and buy; and Seven Stories, the Centre for Children's Books, where everyone's favourite childhood books are brought to life. For a great hotel just a stone's throw from these unique venues, look no further than Hotel du Vin & Bistro - a beautiful boutique hotel in the stunningly converted former home of the Tyne Tees Steam Shipping Company.