William Newton (architect, 1730–1798) explained

William Newton (1730–1798) was an English architect who worked mainly in Newcastle upon Tyne and Northumberland. His work shows a conventional but elegant classical style, influenced by Adam and Paine, and with a strong Palladian feel typical of late 18th century architecture. Most of his buildings are stately homes in rural Northumberland, but he also created some interesting public works in Newcastle: The Assembly Rooms, St Anne's Church, the refaced Guildhall, and elegant private housing in Charlotte Square.

He was the son of Robert Newton, a builder. He married Dorothy Bell and lived for 28 years at 1, Charlotte Square, Newcastle.^[1] His big break came when he was appointed architect for The Assembly Rooms in Newcastle in 1774; as a result he became favoured by the Northumbrian elite.^[2] He has been described as 'the first truly Nothumbrian architect'.^[3]

List of notable works

• The Infirmary, Newcastle 1751-2 (demolished 1954)
• Capheaton Hall (North front) 1758
• St Mungo, Simonburn (rebuilding of aisles) 1763
• St Ann's Church, Newcastle 1764
• Charlotte Square, Newcastle 1770
• Kielder Castle 1772
• Assembly Rooms, Newcastle 1774-6^[4]
• Killingworth House (probably added wings) 1770s (demolished 1954)
• The Castle, Castle Eden c1775
• Shawdon Hall 1779 (probable attribution)
• Backworth Hall 1780
• Acton House 1781
• Charlton Hall 1782
• Howick Hall 1782^[5]
• Heaton Hall (refronting) 1783 (demolished 1933)
• The Temple, Heaton Hall (now at Blagdon Hall) 1783
• St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle 1783-7, (internal restoration), with David Stephenson
• Whitfield Hall 1785
• Hebburn Hall 1790
• St Bartholomew's Church, Longbenton 1790
• Dissington Hall 1794
• Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne 1794, (refronting), with David Stephenson
• Hesleyside Hall (East front) 1796
• Lemmington Hall (alterations)
• Fenham Hall (attribution and date uncertain)
• Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Ireland (1769) - various works^[6]

McCombie and Grundy^[7] have used stylistic evidence to suggest some additional attributions:

• The Lodge, Capheaton village
• Craster Tower (South wing) 1769
• Close House 1779
• Newton Hall
• Togston Hall

Faulkner and Lowery^[8] make one additional suggestion:

• Broome Park, Edlingham (demolished 1953)

References

Sources

• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Article by Margaret Willis 2004
• The Buildings of England: Northumberland. (1992) Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P., Welfare, H. & Pevsner, N.
• Patronage and Palladianism: the career of William Newton (1730-98), architect. Thesis by Richard Pears, Newcastle University

Notes and References

1. Web site: William Newton black plaque.
2. Lost Houses of Newcastle and Northumberland (1996) Faulkner, F & Lowery, P.
3. Lost Houses of Newcastle and Northumberland (1996) Faulkner, F & Lowery, P.
4. https://www.assemblyrooms.co.uk/room-hire-newcastle/our-history/
5. Web site: History of Howick Hall and Gardens.
6. Web site: Dictionary of Irish Architects . www.dia.ie . 16 September 2024.
7. The Buildings of England: Northumberland. (1992) Grundy, J., McCombie, G., Ryder, P., Welfare, H. & Pevsner, N.
8. Lost Houses of Newcastle and Northumberland (1996) Faulkner, F & Lowery, P.