'The Boathouse' pub, Newburn

'The Boathouse' pub in Newburn, to the West of Newcastle has an intriguing set of markings built into its walls. Seen here on the far right corner of the building a number of plaques have been added to the quoin stones. Each one records the height water levels reached during some of Newcastle's great floods, including the Great Flood of 1771 which irrevocably changed Newcastle's urban landscape.

It was on the night of November 16th, 1771 when Newcastle's medieval Tyne Bridge was swept away. Due to heavy rainfall in the West the River Tyne burst its banks. Flooding was so severe the whole of the quayside area was completely under water and boats floated above it only to become stranded later when the waters eventually subsided.