Central Station, Neville Street
City Centre
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 5DG
0191 261 6611
The Centurion at Newcastle rail station was once the very grand first class refreshment room. It closed in the 1960s and incredibly it was used as police cells for several years before becoming a storeroom. It was eventually carefully restored and re-opened in 2002.
The walls and ceiling are completely covered in elaborate tiling created by Burmantofts of Leeds. There is a terrazzo floor, currently partly covered by carpet, a ceramic and marble fireplace, and a large landscape painting between faience columns (photos 1 & 2). The ceramics are apparently worth an astonishing £3.8 million.
There is a good selection of real ales from the bar at the back and a cafe with hot drinks and food at the side, butting onto platform 1. As you might expect it’s popular with travellers and commuters, many of whom are probably surprised by its grandeur.
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