A 1995 photograph of the exterior of the Odeon cinema on Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne. The photograph has been taken from the top of Pilgrim Street looking down to the Odeon which is centre left. The Commercial Union building which straddles the road is beyond the Odeon. Part of the premises of The Leeds building society can be seen in the foreground to the left. A 1995 photograph of the exterior of the Odeon cinema on Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne. The photograph has been taken from the top of Pilgrim Street looking down to the Odeon which is centre left. The Commercial Union building which straddles the road is beyond the Odeon. Part of the premises of The Leeds building society can be seen in the foreground to the left.
A 1995 photograph of the exterior of the Odeon cinema on Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne. The photograph has been taken from the top of Pilgrim Street looking down to the Odeon which is centre left. The Commercial Union building which straddles the road is beyond the Odeon. Part of the premises of The Leeds building society can be seen in the foreground to the left.

23 retro photos of Pilgrim Street in Newcastle through the decades

Let's take a look at Pilgrim Street's history.

By Evie Lake
Published 10th Feb 2024, 12:00 BST

Pilgrim Street was one of the most important streets in Newcastle during Medieval times as Pilgrim Street Gate was one of main entrances through the Town Walls.

Supposedly named after the pilgrims who lodged on it, they came from all over the kingdom to worship at Our Lady's Chapel in Jesmond.

William Gray's Chorographia (1649) described Pilgrim Street as "the longest and fairest street in the Town. In it is a Market for Wheat and Rye every Tuesday and Saterday. Likewise an house called the Pilgrims Inn, where Pilgrims lodged that came to visit the Shrine in [Jesmond], or Jesu de Munde, which occasioned to call this street Pilgrim-street. In the upper part of this street is a Princely house, built out of the ruines of the Black Fryers."

Today it remains one of the city's main streets, housing shops, restaurants and bars.

The Tyneside Cinema can still be found there. Originally opened in 1937, it was a news theatre-  in the 1930's, before television, news cinemas where built all around the country showing newsreels, topical interest films and cartoons.

It runs on from the south end of Northumberland Street down to the Swan House Roundabout and Central Motorway. 

So, let's take a look at the historic past of such an important street. Here we have 23 incredible photos chronicling its development.

Take a look and let us know what you think.

William Gray's Chorographia (1649) described Pilgrim Street as "the longest and fairest street in the Town. In it is a Market for Wheat and Rye every Tuesday and Saterday. Likewise an house called the Pilgrims Inn, where Pilgrims lodged that came to visit the Shrine in [Jesmond], or Jesu de Munde, which occasioned to call this street Pilgrim-street. In the upper part of this street is a Princely house, built out of the ruines of the Black Fryers."

A view of Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne taken in 1971. The photograph has been taken from the roof of Swan House looking across to Pilgrim Street.

21. 1971

A view of Pilgrim Street Newcastle upon Tyne taken in 1971. The photograph has been taken from the roof of Swan House looking across to Pilgrim Street. Photo: Newcastle Libraries

Commercial Union House, Pilgrim Street, Dec 1972.

22. 1972

Commercial Union House, Pilgrim Street, Dec 1972. Photo: Newcastle Libraries

A view of the Pilgrim Street Roundabout Newcastle upon Tyne taken in 1967. The photograph shows the construction of two office blocks.

23. 1967

A view of the Pilgrim Street Roundabout Newcastle upon Tyne taken in 1967. The photograph shows the construction of two office blocks. Photo: Newcastle Libraries

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