The Angel of the North is one of the most iconic public artworks in the world — a colossal steel figure with outstretched wings standing sentinel on a Gateshead hilltop, watching over the A1 motorway and the communities of Tyneside below.
Designed by Antony Gormley and unveiled in 1998, it has become the defining symbol of the North East and is one of the UK’s most visited landmarks. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
Angel of the North — The Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Artist | Antony Gormley |
| Unveiled | 15 February 1998 |
| Height | 20 metres (66 feet) |
| Wingspan | 54 metres (177 feet) |
| Weight | 208 tonnes |
| Material | Cor-Ten (weathering) steel |
| Location | Team Valley, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 7TY |
| Entry | Free, open at all times |
| Parking | Free car park on site |
How to Get to the Angel of the North from Newcastle
By Car (Recommended)
- From Newcastle city centre: Take the A167 south through Gateshead
- Follow signs for the Angel of the North — it’s extremely well-signposted from the A1 and A167
- Drive time: approximately 15 minutes from Newcastle city centre
- There is a free car park directly at the site
By Metro
- Take the Metro to Low Fell station (about 15 minutes from Newcastle Central)
- Walk approximately 1.5 miles (25 minutes) uphill to the sculpture
- Not ideal for those with mobility limitations — the car is much better
By Taxi
- A taxi from Newcastle city centre costs approximately £8–12 each way
- Worth considering if you’re visiting as part of a wider day trip
By Bus
- Bus services run from the Gateshead Interchange — check nexus.org.uk for current routes
- The Angel is signposted from the Low Fell area
What to Expect When You Arrive
The Scale is Genuinely Surprising
No photograph truly prepares you for the Angel of the North up close. The figure’s 20-metre height (roughly 6 storeys) and 54-metre wingspan (wider than a Boeing 737) are genuinely breathtaking in person. The weathered rust-brown Cor-Ten steel gives it a raw, powerful presence.
Standing Beneath the Wings
You can walk right up to the base of the sculpture and stand directly beneath the outstretched wings. Looking up from underneath, the engineering complexity becomes apparent — the wings aren’t flat but angled slightly forward at 3.5 degrees, giving the figure a sense of movement.
The View from the Hill
The Angel sits on a hilltop that offers panoramic views north towards Newcastle city centre (the stadium is visible on clear days) and south along the A1 corridor. The view of the sculpture from the approach road — especially when driving on the A1 at night when it’s illuminated — is unforgettable.
The Story Behind the Angel
Why was it built?
Antony Gormley was commissioned by Gateshead Council in 1990 to create a landmark work to stand on a former colliery site — transforming a place associated with industrial decline into a site of cultural pride.
Gormley’s brief was to create something that would:
- Serve as a symbol of hope for the post-industrial North East
- Mark the transition from an underground (mining) culture to an above-ground future
- Create a sense of place and identity for the region
Why an Angel?
In Gormley’s words: “Angels are described as beings of the air, but with human faces and bodies. I wanted to make a work which would acknowledge the previous underground life of this area — the mining — which would be like an emergence from the earth.”
The wings are not based on bird anatomy but on aircraft wings — deliberately referencing the industrial heritage of the region and the movement from earth to air.
How was it built?
The Angel was constructed in sections at the Hartlepool Steel Fabrications yard and transported to Gateshead by road. The foundations consist of concrete piles driven 20 metres into the ground — anchoring the sculpture against winds of up to 100mph.
The Cor-Ten steel was chosen because it weathers naturally — forming a rust-coloured patina that protects the steel underneath and gives the Angel its distinctive colour.
Photography Tips
- Best light: Early morning or late afternoon for warm, golden light on the weathered steel
- Best angles:
- Head-on from the car park approach (the iconic shot)
- From below, looking up through the wings
- From the road below the hill (capturing the entire figure against the sky)
- From the A1 motorway (you can’t stop, but the drive-by view is extraordinary)
- Night photography: The Angel is lit at night — a dramatic and surreal sight from the A1
What Else to Do Nearby
Team Valley & Gateshead
The Angel sits in the southern part of Gateshead. Combine your visit with:
- Beamish Museum (20 minutes south) — a living open-air museum recreating life in the North East in 1913 and the 1940s. Extraordinary and highly recommended
- Durham City (30 minutes south) — the magnificent cathedral city
Newcastle City
After visiting the Angel, head back north to explore:
- Newcastle Quayside — a 15-minute drive
- Ouseburn Valley — for craft beer and local character
- Great North Museum — for more on the North East’s history
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I climb on the Angel of the North? No — climbing the sculpture is not permitted and would be dangerous. The site has barriers preventing approach to the structure itself.
What time is the Angel of the North open? The Angel is on open land and is accessible at any time of day or night, every day of the year. The car park has standard opening hours.
Is there a café at the Angel of the North? There is no permanent café at the site. There are sometimes mobile catering units on busy days, but don’t rely on this. The nearest cafés are in Low Fell village (a 10-minute walk downhill).
Is the Angel accessible for wheelchair users? The car park and the viewing area around the base of the Angel are accessible on flat ground. The hilltop approach from the car park is flat and paved.
The Angel of the North is one of those places that genuinely moves people. Even hardened cynics who dismiss public art tend to find themselves standing silent beneath those outstretched wings, unexpectedly affected. Make time for it.
