Underhill
UNDERHILL, 99, KELLS LANE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1248562
- Date first listed:
- 02-Jun-1976
- List Entry Name:
- Underhill
- Statutory Address:
- UNDERHILL, 99, KELLS LANE
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 1999-09-03
- Reference:
- IOE01/01223/19
- Rights:
- © D.S Ridley. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1248562
- Date first listed:
- 02-Jun-1976
- List Entry Name:
- Underhill
- Statutory Address 1:
- UNDERHILL, 99, KELLS LANE
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- UNDERHILL, 99, KELLS LANE
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Gateshead (Metropolitan Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- NZ 26221 60626
Details
1. KELLS LANE 5099 (east side)
NZ 2660 11/39 2.6.76 No 99 (Underhill)
II*
2. Substantial house of the 1860's.
Two storeys and attic. Three parallel ridges (slated roofs and fancy ridge tiles) with gable ends to road, stepped back from North to South. Snecked sandstone rubble with white brick quoins and dressings. Sash windows, varying sizes, central canted bay and another on right return. Conservatory at South-east corner. Entrance lobby on North return has engraved glass with monogram of Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, FRS. Sir Joseph lived at Underhill from 1869 until 1883, in the conservatory his most important experiments were conducted those to do with dry plate photography and engraving and in particular the making of filaments for the first practical incandescent electric lamp. The house is therefore of more than ordinary historical importance. It is also relatively unspoilt, retaining its staircase, most of the interior woodwork, fireplaces and the original bathroom, complete with bath.
Underhill was the first house in England to be wired for domestic electric lighting and some of the early fittings remain.
Sources: "A Memoir of Sir Joseph Swan" by M E and R K Swan, 1929.
Everyman's Encyclopaedia.
Listing NGR: NZ2622160626
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 430228
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Swan, M E, Swan, R K, A Memoir of Sir Joseph Swan, (1929)
Everymans Encyclopaedia in Everymans Encyclopaedia, ()
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 01-Jul-2026 at 15:18:46.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.