East of Newcastle, Wallsend was one of England’s ship-building capitals in the steam age, launching RMS Mauretania, which broke the record for the quickest eastbound Atlantic crossing in 1907.
Although no vessels are now built at the massive Swan Hunter, the yard is still used to service North Sea oil and gas rigs.
The name “Wallsend” tells you that it was the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall in Roman Times.
