Benton

The centre of the Benton district is the old village of Longbenton which stretches along Front Street on the Old Coast Road. The opening of the station in the nineteenth century caused the district around the railway to be developed as a desirable, out-of-town suburb. It retains its character to this day and two areas, around the village itself and around the station, have been designated as conservation areas. Benton Metro station dates from 1871. The line was electrified in the early years of the twentieth century and later became part of the Metro system. Some of the original station buildings are still in use, some were removed during the conversion to Metro service.

There are also Metro stations at Four Lane Ends and Longbenton. To the north west of the station, stretching across to South Gosforth, is Longbenton Estate. This area is undergoing substantial redevelopment and refurbishment. Longbenton Community College, the home of Longbenton Community College Senior Choir who recently toured Prague, is situated in Hailsham Avenue. Other places of education within the locality include Benton Park Primary School, which opened in 1953 and is part of Newcastle L.A., and St Bartholomew's C of E Primary School, which is part of North Tyneside L.A. Three other North Tyneside primary schools are located on Longbenton Estate: the new Benton Dene school, Balliol,…