The Oxford, Newcastle
The Oxford Galleries in Newcastle are from a time before I lived in the city. Filmed during a walk through Newcastle, this short landscape shot captures the facade of the former Oxford Galleries on New Bridge Street.
The Oxford Galleries opened in 1925 as a lavish dance hall and quickly established itself as one of Newcastle’s most iconic entertainment venues. Located on New Bridge Street, just outside the city centre, the building was designed to impress—with its sweeping curved façade, ornate detailing, and a grand interior that could accommodate hundreds of dancers. At its height, the Oxford was one of the most popular places in the North East for ballroom dancing, big band performances, and social events. It represented not just a night out, but a cultural institution for generations of Geordies.
Thousands of people passed through its doors over the decades. In the 1930s and 1940s, it was known for its formal dances and foxtrots, often accompanied by live orchestras. During the post-war years, it became a key venue for tea dances, where couples would meet and friendships would form. The atmosphere was one of elegance and escapism—art deco interiors, live music, and the gentle hum of conversation between dances. For many, it was where they met future partners, shared memorable evenings with friends, or simply found a place to enjoy music and movement in a glamorous setting.
As the decades progressed, the Oxford adapted to changing tastes. By the 1960s, it was hosting pop concerts and live performances by rising stars—most notably The Beatles and The Who—well before they became household names. It briefly operated as a roller-skating rink during one phase of its life, reflecting how these old entertainment spaces often evolved in order to stay relevant. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, it transitioned into a nightclub, echoing broader changes in how people socialised and spent their leisure time. Though its original function as a grand dance hall faded, its presence remained etched into the fabric of the city.
Today, while the building’s interior has changed significantly, the external structure still carries the memory of its former grandeur. The curved frontage, decorative brickwork, and prominent corner position give it a sense of quiet authority—an architectural reminder of Newcastle’s rich social history. Like many buildings of its kind, the Oxford isn’t officially celebrated with plaques or guided tours, but for locals and those with long memories, it still holds resonance.
I filmed this short clip of the Oxford Galleries during one of my regular walks through Newcastle. It’s part of an ongoing series of short landscape videos that I shoot while walking through Newcastle and Gateshead. These clips—usually between 20 and 30 seconds long—are a way of documenting places that catch my eye. There’s no pre-production, no script, and often no people—just light, time, and architecture interacting for a brief moment.
The footage is shared on my dedicated Instagram account @newcastle_gateshead_landscapes and collected on my website at alanfentiman.co.uk/vimeo-videos/landscape. These videos are less about spectacle and more about stillness—fragments of the city observed in passing. Sometimes I know the history of the building I’m filming; sometimes I research it later. But either way, it becomes part of a quiet, visual archive of the region’s landscape—one that includes both the monumental and the overlooked.
See more moments like this on Instagram → or browse the full collection on my landscape video page →