Newcastle has a long and distinguished history through two millennia: a Roman fortress at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall; an important centre of monasticism; a 'royal' bulwark against attacks and invasion from Scotland; and the principal centre for the export of coal to London. In the 19th century it was transformed into an elegant Georgian townscape with dramatic streets and handsome public buildings. It and other towns on the Tyne - Gateshead, Jarrow, Wallsend, Tynemouth, North and South Shields - developed important industries: shipbuilding, glass and heavy engineering. Tyneside suffered severe contraction in the 20th  century as heavy industry declined, but it has begun to reinvent itself and create new growth shoots, not least its vibrant cultural industries including music and art.

This book takes an innovative approach to telling the story of the area's history by focusing on the historic maps and plans that record the growth and development of Newcastle and Tyneside over many centuries.

'The book will appeal to all map-lovers and those with an interest in how Tyneside’s layout has developed through centuries of change'

'This volume offers a wide selection of well-reproduced maps and plans from local and national sources… for those of us who have lived and worked here for years it offers a novel approach to the familiar'

Michael Barke was Reader in Human Geography at Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, where he taught from 1974 until his retirement in 2016. His research interests include the demographic and urban history of the North East.

Brian Robson grew up in Tyneside. He was Director of the Centre for Urban Policy Studies at the University of Manchester and published widely on urban and regional regeneration. He was awarded an OBE for his urban research. He died in 2020.

Anthony Champion is Emeritus Professor at Newcastle University and was a staff member in the university’s geography department and subsequently in the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS).