Artwork down an alleyway – how to discover an outdoor gallery on the streets of Newcastle.
From historic lane to ‘pleasure garden’
Forth Lane Urban Gallery is an open-air gallery tucked along Forth Lane, a 500-year-old ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ alleyway that leads from Westgate Road to Pink Lane.
Centuries ago, this narrow passage was a tree-lined path leading to a four-acre field that served as a communal leisure space. People gathered there to relax, play sports and enjoy time outdoors.
It’s this heritage that became the inspiration behind the gallery’s ‘pleasure garden’ theme, brought to life through bright and bold artwork from six artists.
Newcastle residents wearing vibrant headpieces, historical carvings, and faces peeping from behind leafy foliage are just some of the murals you can admire as you wander through the lane.
This cool urban gallery turns an everyday walk into a moment of connection with our local heritage and surroundings.
A collaborative creative vision
The gallery was launched in October 2024 by Creative Central NCL in partnership with Newcastle Arts Centre, Project North East and NE1 – part of a wider vision to make central Newcastle a vibrant place for creativity and culture.
A year later, further commissions expanded the lane’s eye-catching collection of murals, with more recent additions appearing along Pink Lane and extending the experience beyond the alley itself.
And we can expect to see even more initiatives in the future, as Creative Central NCL is a five-year project running until 2027, funded by North East Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council, with an investment totalling £1.7 million.
Art that’s always open
Forth Lane Urban Gallery makes a scenic shortcut through the city and, best of all, it can be viewed any time and it’s completely free.
Close by, you’ll also find a cluster of local pubs, including The Forth, Town Wall and the newly open Mosaic Tap, alongside Pink Lane Bakery and cocktail bar Mad House.
So, if you’re looking to pair your artsy stroll with a pint, Sunday dinner or freshly baked pastry, this hidden corner of the city is worth seeking out.
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