Angel of the North Monument
Large contemporary sculpture overlooking Tyneside
Near Gateshead, Antony Gormley's Angel of the North is a 20‑metre steel sculpture with a 54‑metre wingspan; visitors photograph the landmark and explore nearby walking paths.
Angel of the North at a Glance#
Address: Angel of the North, Low Newcastle Rd, Gateshead NE9 7TY, UK
Website: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/
Hours: 24/7 public access
Admission: Free to visit
About Angel of the North#
The Angel of the North is a large contemporary steel sculpture by artist Antony Gormley located near Gateshead in northeast England, completed in 1998. The work is intended as a public landmark marking a transport corridor into Tyneside.
The sculpture’s signature features are its upright human form and outstretched wings, executed in weathering steel. It is situated on a small hill and is accessible by footpaths and a nearby car park used by visitors and passersby.
Commissioned by the local authority as a public art project in the late 1990s, the Angel of the North was erected to create a civic landmark and has become an established symbol of the area.
Positioned just south of Gateshead and visible from main roads into Newcastle and Gateshead, the sculpture overlooks a mix of urban and transport infrastructure.
- Dimensions: Sculpture stands 20 metres tall with a wingspan of 54 metres, making it one of the largest public steel sculptures in the UK.
- Site access and viewing: Located on a low hill to the south of Gateshead, it is highly visible from the A1 and local transport routes and has a small car park and footpaths for visitors to approach the statue.
How to Get to Angel of the North#
From central Newcastle or Gateshead take the Tyne and Wear Metro to Gateshead Stadium or Pelaw and then a short taxi ride; by car follow the A1(M) and exit at the Low Fell/Gateshead interchange-there is a viewing area and small parking near the site.
Tips for Visiting Angel of the North#
- Go at dawn or dusk for the best light and fewer people-photographers love the copper-toned wings against a soft sky.
- Be mindful of strong winds on the plateau-the sculpture's stance seems to welcome a stiff breeze.
- Visit the nearby gallery space for occasional exhibitions about the work and its history.
Best Time to Visit Angel of the North#
Accessible year-round; dramatic light and weather often enhance the experience.
Weather & Climate near Angel of the North#
Angel of the North's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (633 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 56 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 39 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 54 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 47 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.9 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 13.9h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 49 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 15.8h |
| June | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 51 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.9h |
| July | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 47 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 16.4h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 62 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.7h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 57 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 7° | 55 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 3° | 58 mm | overcast | 93% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 8° | 1° | 58 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.1h |
