BlackFriars, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Blackfriars in Newcastle upon Tyne is a restored, Grade I listed 13th-century friary in the heart of the city, right next to Newcastle's Chinatown. It is among the best-preserved medieval monastic complexes in the north of England, and today it is a place to eat, learn and wander through centuries of history.

What is Blackfriars?

The name refers to the black cloaks worn by the Dominican friars who lived here. The friary dates from the 13th century, with 1239 the most commonly cited founding date. Accounts credit a wealthy Newcastle merchant, Sir Peter Scott, with establishing it. Its cloister buildings still stand around a quiet courtyard, a surprising pocket of calm so close to the busy centre.

What happened to the friary?

In 1538 the friary was dissolved during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The buildings were not demolished, though. Over the following centuries the cloister ranges were used by trade guilds and as almshouses, which helped a good deal of the medieval fabric survive. Between 1978 and 1981 the complex was restored and given new uses: a restaurant, craft workshops and a tourist information centre.

What can you see and do here?

The best-known part of the site is the restaurant, set in the former refectory, where the friars once ate together. It is often described as the oldest purpose-built dining room in the UK. That is a claim repeated in guides rather than a settled fact, but it captures the atmosphere well. The restaurant has operated here since 2001.

You will also find:

• a banqueting hall hosting medieval-style feasts by candlelight, served at long communal tables,
• the Parlour Bar, a drinks venue in a historic setting,
• a cookery school and a tasting room,
• a medieval cloister trail with augmented-reality reconstructions, launched in 2025.

How to plan a visit

Blackfriars is within walking distance of the main sights of central Newcastle, so it fits easily into a city walk. Chinatown is next door, giving you plenty of choice for a meal before or after. If history is your priority, look for a guided or themed tour of the friary. If you come for the food and atmosphere, book ahead, especially for evening banquets.

Frequently asked questions

Is Blackfriars still a working monastery? No. The friary was dissolved in 1538, and the buildings now serve cultural, dining and visitor purposes.

Who founded it? Accounts name a wealthy Newcastle merchant, Sir Peter Scott, and place the foundation around 1239.

Can I eat there? Yes. A restaurant occupies the former refectory, with the Parlour Bar alongside, and medieval banquets are held in the banqueting hall.

Is the building protected? Yes. It is Grade I listed, the highest level of heritage protection in England.

Where exactly is it? In central Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England, close to Chinatown.

Blackfriars is a rewarding stop for anyone who wants more from Newcastle than its modern quayside: a genuine, carefully restored piece of the Middle Ages, still part of everyday city life.