England
Things you probably didn't know about Newcastle
Coals, bridges and a certain northern nightlife.
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1829 — fact 1 of 5
The Rocket was built here
Robert Stephenson’s Forth Street works produced locomotives including the famous Rocket — winner of the Rainhill Trials.
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Fact 2 of 5
"Coals to Newcastle"
The phrase — meaning a pointless exercise — exists because Newcastle exported coal for centuries from the 13th century onward.
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1928 — fact 3 of 5
The Tyne Bridge
Opened in 1928, the great steel arch became the template (and partial inspiration) for the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
See what 1928 was like → -
1927 — fact 4 of 5
Newcastle Brown Ale
"The One and Only" was first brewed in 1927 and sent around the world in its blue star bottle.
See what 1927 was like → -
1998 — fact 5 of 5
The Angel of the North watches over the approach
Antony Gormley’s 20-metre angel, erected in 1998, is seen by thousands of drivers on the A1 every day.
See what 1998 was like →
Our Newcastle collection is part of a growing local-history library — more cities and facts are being added.