Angel of the North
Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
About Angel of the North
You're cruising down the A1 motorway and A167 roads at 60 miles per hour, and all of a sudden, bursting through the landscape, you see the Angel of the North...
The Artist
This magnificent steel sculpture was crafted by Antony Gormley. Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North first spread its wings in February 1998 and has been welcoming visitors to Newcastle Gateshead for more than 15 years. At 54m wide and 20m high, it's taller than four double decker buses and with a wingspan as big as a jumbo jet! The Angel of the North is believed to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world.
What is the Angel of the North made of?
The 200-tonne sculpture is the largest British sculpture to exist. It can withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour! It is made of weather resistant Cor-ten steel, containing a small amount of copper, which forms a patina on the surface that mellows with age. It is designed to last for 100 years and it cost £800,000 to build.
Poetic Meaning of the Angel of the North
You don't have to sit in the car to see it either! This awe-inspiring piece of public art is visited by 150,000 people a year and is one of the most famous sculptures in the UK. This contemporary sculpture has sparked a lot of poetic resonance with local poets feeling inspired by the gravity of its presence. Antony Gormley himself, stated that the Angel of the North had lots of poetic resonance in the place it stands. The Angel stands on top of a mound where lots of mining previously took place - mining was a very big part of history and culture in Newcastle & Tyne and Wear. Mining dominated the region's coal exporting trade for centuries and local people worked as miners, so it was a very big part the North East's history.
How do I get there?
If you want to see the enormous Angel in person then there are a number of bus routes you can take. The Go North East bus The Angel (number 21) departs from Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station and Gateshead Interchange every 8 minutes.
The bus stops on Durham Road near to the Angel of the North and the stop for the return journey is only a short walk away on the opposite side of the road.
The journey takes about 20 minutes from Newcastle and 10 minutes from Gateshead Interchange. The fares to the Angel of the North from Newcastle are £2.10 for a single and £3.90 for a return. Buy your tickets from the bus driver (just like any other bus).
Events
The Angel of the North is free to visit 24 hours a day! There are not really any events that take place around the famous sculpture but once every now and then, someone will take on the challenge of decorating the angel. For example in 1998 Kevin Waugh and a group of men decided the newly erected Angel of the North needed a little something extra... They dressed the angel in the famous footballer, Alan Shearer's, number nine shirt! this stunt made the BBC news and Antony Gormley himself was impressed.
The Angel of the North is a must-see on a visit to Newcastle Gateshead with your family. Whether you are local to the famous Angel or you are on a short break, it's the perfect Instagram & TikTok opportunity for you kids! Or if you simply drive down the A1, you're kids will love the breath-taking views that the Angel offers.
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