Location

Birtley is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in Tyne & Wear. Historically, Birtley was a township in the Parish of Chester-le-Street in County Durham and mining and iron making were important industries in Birtley. 

Connections

Located in close proximity to Gateshead and Washington, it combines beautiful rural surroundings with easy access to both Newcastle and Durham making Birtley the ideal location for anyone looking for an easy commute to any of the surrounding areas.  With buses providing transport around the region and the A1 providing easy access to the surrounding area to include Newcastle, Durham and Gateshead. The major train stations of Durham and Newcastle allow easy access to other cities including Manchester, Leeds and London and Newcastle Airport is under half an hour’s drive away for those looking to travel further afield.

Shopping and Leisure

The Main Road through Birtley the A167 Durham Road is home to a number of local shops and amenities such as a Morrisons supermarket, Birtley Leisure Centre, pubs, takeaways, shops, hairdressers, chemists, bakers, food shops and vets.  Residents also have easy access to the Team Valley Retail Park and the Metro Centre Shopping Centre in Gateshead. 

Birtley is within easy reach of the Riverside Cricket Ground and Durham Cricket for all those sports fans.  Residents can also enjoy visiting the Angel of the North and Beamish museum, one of the best open air museums in the world!  Birtley has a variety of useful amenities such as shops in the town centre, leisure related facilities including a swimming pool and sports centre, and a small industrial estate. 

Local History

Birtley was historically a township in the Parish of Chester-le-Street in County Durham, but is now a town in the Metropolitan of Gateshead.  In the past mining and iron making were important industries in Birtley, with 10 pits in the surrounding areas at one point.  During the First World War thousands of Belgians moved to Birtley to work at the Birtley Munitions factory where they lived in a self contained village called Elisabethville.  The only part of Elisabethville that remains today is the Elisabethville cemetery still within Birtley. 

Reasons to Live in Birtley

  1. Close to the Angel of the North and Beamish Museum
  2. Great Transport Links via the A1(M)
  3. Perfect for those interested in sports, featuring their own Leisure Centre with a gym, fitness classes, sauna and sports hall, and a Birtley Town Football Club
  4. Durham Road through Birtley is home to a number of local shops such as supermarkets, pubs, takeaways, giving great retail access to residents, whilst also being a short drive away from the Team Valley Retail Park and the Metro Centre
  5. Some great well regarded schools including primary and secondary schools, making Birtley an ideal location for families

Our Birtley Office branch

Our general office opening times are as follows:

  • Monday 09:00 - 17:15
  • Tuesday 09:00 - 17:15
  • Wednesday 09:00 - 17:15
  • Thursday 09:00 - 17:15
  • Friday 09:00 - 17:15
  • Saturday 09:00 - 13:00

Explore Birtley

Station List

Schools List