Filming North East landscapes: Swing Bridge in fog on The Tyne

Filming North East landscapes offers a unique thrill—a blend of industrial heritage, natural beauty, and shifting weather that provides endless inspiration for any documentary filmmaker.

Nowhere is this more evident than along the River Tyne, where landmarks like the Swing Bridge tell stories written in steel, stone, and swirling mist.

The image above is a still from a recent shoot focused on filming North East landscapes, capturing the iconic Swing Bridge that spans the River Tyne and links Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. In this scene, a gentle fog hangs over the river, softening the edges of the city and bathing the view in a delicate palette of pale yellows, soft peach, and cool blue. The Swing Bridge’s red iron latticework slices through the mist with vivid contrast, instantly grabbing attention—a perfect subject for anyone passionate about filming North East landscapes.

Beyond the Swing Bridge, the arches of the High Level Bridge rise ghostlike through the fog, reminding us of the layered engineering and architectural history that defines the Tyne. These bridges seem to hover above the water, with shimmering reflections rippling in the river below. Wisps of mist dance across the water’s surface, adding movement and texture to the stillness—a dream scenario for any Newcastle documentary filmmaker drawn to filming North East landscapes.

Filming North East landscapes isn’t just about documenting beautiful places; it’s about capturing atmosphere, history, and the subtle moods of the environment. The Swing Bridge, completed in 1876 and designed by Sir W.G. Armstrong, was once essential to the region’s maritime industry, rotating to let ships navigate upriver. Today, while its mechanical role has lessened, it remains an enduring symbol of Tyneside’s ingenuity and industrial past. Scenes like this remind me how filming North East landscapes offers endless stories waiting to be told.

Shooting the Swing Bridge in fog transforms a familiar landmark into something almost ethereal. The haze softens the hard edges of the city, blending man-made structures with the natural world. As someone dedicated to filming North East landscapes, I’m always searching for these moments—the ordinary turned extraordinary by weather, light, and timing. It’s also part of what defines me as a Newcastle documentary filmmaker, capturing the region’s spirit in ways that feel authentic and deeply human.

It’s precisely this unpredictability that makes filming North East landscapes so rewarding. One morning, the Tyne might be dazzling under bright sunshine; the next, it’s hidden behind a veil of mist, reshaping the entire riverscape. This image of the Swing Bridge in fog perfectly illustrates why I keep returning to film the North East—the landscapes are never static, always offering fresh perspectives for a Newcastle documentary filmmaker.

The Swing Bridge itself is a remarkable feat of Victorian engineering. Designed and funded by the famous industrialist and inventor Sir W.G. Armstrong, it was built between 1873 and 1876 to replace an older stone bridge, known as the Old Tyne Bridge, which had stood since medieval times but obstructed larger vessels navigating upriver to Armstrong’s shipyards and factories at Elswick.

The Swing Bridge was revolutionary for its time, capable of rotating horizontally through 360 degrees on a central axis. Powered originally by hydraulic machinery using water pumped from Armstrong’s own hydraulic engines, it allowed ships of significant size to access Newcastle’s upper reaches. The bridge measures 281 feet in length and weighs over 1,450 tons, with its moving span able to pivot in just a few minutes. In its early years, the bridge swung open several thousand times annually, accommodating booming industrial river traffic.


Capturing Atmosphere: Filming North East Landscapes at the Swing Bridge in Fog on the River Tyne
Reverse shot from the Swing Bridge minus Fog

Remarkably, it still operates today and swung open as recently as 2016 for heritage vessels. For anyone filming North East landscapes, the Swing Bridge is both a stunning visual landmark and a vital historical link to Newcastle’s maritime and engineering past, standing as a proud reminder of the North East’s role in global industrial innovation.

If you’re interested in seeing more examples of my work filming North East landscapes, you can explore my collection here: Landscape Films Collection

FILM INFO:

Client:

Camera:

GH4

Software:

Adobe Premiere CC

Category:

Tags: