South-west of Whickham, above the River Derwent, are the ruins of Old Hollinside, a fortified manor house[2] once owned by the Bowes-Lyon family.
Whickham underwent some expansion in the 1950s when the Lakes Estate was built just off Whickham Highway. Then later in the decade the Oakfield Estate just off Whaggs Lane was built. Grange Estate began the long-term development by JT Bell, (Bellway), the builder, who went on to build Clavering Park, Clavering Grange, the Cedars and then Fellside Park.
In central Whickham, near Front Street, is Chase Park, the former residence of Whickham Chase. The property included a manor house, which was demolished in 1960.[3] The park includes King George's Field, in which is a historic tower that is now closed off from the public. The large play area was restored in 2017 with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund, which included the removal of a large slide and the remodelling of the children's play area, as well as the replanting of Chase Park's many flower beds.[4]
Whickham spans three electoral wards: Whickham North, Dunston Hill and Whickham East, and Whickham South and Sunniside (which extends south-west to include Marley Hill and Byermoor).[7] Each ward elects three members of Gateshead Council.[8] For national government elections it is part of Blaydon constituency.[7]
Schools
Whickham has six primary schools and one secondary school. The Gibside School for special educational needs and disabilities moved to a new location away from Whickham in Spring 2021.
