Alan Morgan has lived in High Heaton for nearly 90 years and witnessed most of its growth from farmers’ fields and the residue of industrialisation to the pleasant and popular residential suburb it is today. Paddy Freeman’s Park, with easy access to Jesmond Dene, and the adjacent world-renowned Freeman Hospital are just two of the familiar landmarks celebrated in this book. Nearby, Cochrane Park developed into another sought-after residential estate following the demolition of two 18th century mansions in extensive grounds. At Benton, this much older village, pockets of smaller residential estates have appeared alongside earlier listed buildings now adapted for modern use. This book is liberally illustrated with photographs, maps and aerial views to help the reader discover the scale of development in this area and appreciate the many historic features that remain.

Alan Morgan has written some of the key local history books that celebrate the Tyneside region and its past. Some of his bestselling works include histories of Jesmond, Heaton, Byker and the Lost Industries of the Tyne.