Sheriff Hill

At 167 metres, Sheriff Hill is the North Pennines' urban ambassador overlooking Gateshead. Historically a high-stakes meeting point for medieval lawmen, it now offers a lofty vantage point over the Tyne valley, perfect for those who like their 'fell' walking with a side of streetlights.

• •The name originates from the historic ritual where the Sheriffs of Newcastle met the Judges of Assize arriving from Durham. It was effectively a high-society roadside meet-and-greet that persisted for many centuries.
• •In the 18th century, this area was a notorious haunt for highwaymen due to its elevation. The steep incline of the Great North Road slowed carriages down, making them easy targets for local bandits who didn't fancy a chase.
• •The hill once hosted a famous pottery that operated for over a century until 1909. It specialized in 'Newcastle Ware,' ensuring the summit was a hive of industrial productivity long before it became a residential suburb.
• •A signaling beacon once sat atop the hill as part of a national defense system against a Napoleonic invasion. These days, the only glowing lights on the horizon are usually the golden arches of nearby fast-food outlets.
• •Navigating this summit requires more road-crossing awareness than traditional mountaineering skill. You are significantly more likely to be overtaken by a double-decker bus than to encounter any actual mountain sheep.