Angel of the North

If you're travelling past Gateshead, whether by car on the A1, or by train on the East coast main line, you can't miss the Angel of the North.

At 20 metres tall, with a 54 metre wingspan and weighing 200 tonnes, the Angel of the North is Britain's largest sculpture and towers over the Team Valley from its hilltop site.

In 1994 Gateshead Council chose Turner prize-winning artist Antony Gormley OBE to produce a sculpture as a symbol for Tyneside. Funding was secured in 1996, and the Angel of the North was erected on site in 1998.

The Angel of the North is as much a feat of engineering as a work of art. The sculpture has a greater wingspan than a Boeing 757, and has to be able to withstand winds of over 100mph in its exposed location.

This required a complex construction with an internal 'skeleton' and sheet steel of varying thickness.

150 tonnes of concrete were used to create foundations which anchor the sculpture to the rock 20 metres below.

Created in three parts - the body weighing 100 tonnes, and two wings weighing 50 tonnes each, the Angel of the North was transported on three huge lorries, before being assembled on site.

The wings are not flat - but are angled 3.5 degrees forward, which Gormley says was to create "a sense of embrace".

The Angel of the North cost nearly £800,000 - which has been controversial in a relatively deprived area of Britain. Nevertheless, there is no doubting that Antony Gormley has created a powerful sculpture which is seen and enjoyed by tens of thousands of people every day.

Although the Angel of the North can be seen from miles around, you have to visit the site itself and stand at the feet of the giant to truly appreciate the scale and majesty of this most recognisable of England's landmarks.

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Nearby Attractions

• Shipley Art Gallery (2 Miles)*
  Relax, unwind and discover the fantastic range of art and design on show in the friendly surroundings of the Shipley.
  
• Washington Old Hall (3 Miles)*
  British and American visitors alike will enjoy visiting the Grade I listed Jacobean manor of Washington Old Hall which was once the ancestral home of George Washington.
  
• Beamish - The Living Museum of the North (3 Miles)*
  Beamish is a world famous open air museum telling the story of the people of North East England in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times.
  

Riding Farm Cottages (2 Miles)* Riding Farm Cottages are situated on a working farm surrounded by peaceful countryside, ideal for family holidays short breaks or the business traveller.

Riding Farm Cottages (2 Miles)* At The Riding we provide high quality 4 star self catering accommodation sleeping between 2 and 4 persons all with ensuite bedrooms.

Plawsworth Hall Cottages (6 Miles)* 20 Swlf Catering Cottages and Appartments Traditional stone and brick farm buildings and granary, creating an original farm court layout comprising a mixture of one and two bedroomed apartments and three bedroomed cottages.

more self catering near Angel of the North ...

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Nearby Attractions

• Shipley Art Gallery (2 Miles)* Relax, unwind and discover the fantastic range of art and design on show in the friendly surroundings of the Shipley.
  
• Washington Old Hall (3 Miles)* British and American visitors alike will enjoy visiting the Grade I listed Jacobean manor of Washington Old Hall which was once the ancestral home of George Washington.
  
• Beamish - The Living Museum of the North (3 Miles)* Beamish is a world famous open air museum telling the story of the people of North East England in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times.
  
• Beamish Wild Adventure Park (4 Miles)* Set in the grounds of Beamish Hall in Chester-le-Street, Beamish Wild Birds of Prey Centre is a purpose-built conservation centre providing an educational and fun day out for all the family.
  
• Centre for Life (4 Miles)* The Centre for Life is an award-winning science centre where imaginative exhibitions, interactive displays and special events promote greater understanding of science and provoke curiosity in the world around us.
  
• WWT Washington Wetland Centre (4 Miles)* Explore a diverse mix of wetland, woodland and wildlife reserve at WWT Washington Wetland Centre - one of the North East's biggest conservation success stories.
  
• Discovery Museum (4 Miles)* Discovery Museum is the ideal place to find out all about life on Tyneside, from the region's shipbuilding heritage to inventions which changed the world.
  
• The Art Works Galleries (4 Miles)* One of the largest commercial art galleries in Europe, The Art Works Galleries is a dynamic addition to region offering five spacious galleries all under one roof.
• Laing Art Gallery (4 Miles)* The Laing Art Gallery has something for everyone to enjoy, with an impressive collection of art and sculpture.
  
• Great North Museum (4 Miles)* The Great North Museum is the North East's premier natural science museum. Permanent Displays include Land of the Pharaohs, Living Planet and Earthworks.
  

Nearby Towns

• Gateshead (3 Miles)* Gateshead is on the south side of the Tyne River, in Tyne and Wear. It is linked by seven bridges with Newcastle-upon-Tyne
  
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne (4 Miles)* Newcastle is a vibrant friendly city, with a heritage spanning the past 2,000 years. Situated in the north east of England, on the banks of the River Tyne and surrounded by the scenic beauty of Northumbria.
  
• Burnopfield (5 Miles)* Nestled between Stanley in County Durham and Rowlands Gill in the borough of Gateshead sits one of the North East Greatest secrets. The village of Burnopfield sits on the top of a hill that overlooks the Tyne Valley.
  
• Jarrow (6 Miles)* Jarrow is a town steeped in history. With the Venerable Bede it was renowned as an international religious centre in the 7th century, while in 1936 its famous Jarrow crusade took place at the height of mass unemployment.
  
• Sunderland (8 Miles)* The city of Sunderland is on the north east coast of England, in the county of Tyne and Wear. It is situated 14 miles south east of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
  
• Westoe (8 Miles)* Westoe is a historic peaceful oasis in the heart of South Shields, and has links with several famous people. It was well known to Catherine Cookson during her youth and the setting for several of the books.
  
• North Shields (8 Miles)* North Shields, as its name suggests, is on the north bank of the River Tyne, opposite South Shields and eight miles east of Newcastle-upon Tyne.
  
• South Shields (8 Miles)* South Shields is going from strength to strength, with its lively shopping area and popular open air markets, in the bustling town centre.
  
• Whitburn (T and W) (9 Miles)* Whitburn has retained its village character and has links with Lewis Carroll.
  
• Tynemouth (9 Miles)* Situated at the mouth of the River Tyne, Tynemouth is six miles northeast of Newcastle in Tyne and Wear.