Summerhill is a late Georgian residential suburb, which climbs the hill westwards out of Newcastle upon Tyne, between the city centre and the West End. The Summerhill Conservation Area includes one grade II* listed building (the Church of St Matthew on Summerhill Street) and 80 grade II listed buildings. Westgate Hill Cemetery is a grade II Registered Historic Park and Garden. The Conservation Area centres on Summerhill Square.
By 1723 Summer Hill House, the area's first major building, was built on the hill near Elswick Lane for Mr Joseph Barber, an Irish bookseller who named it after his mansion in County Meath where he grew up. He worked at Amen Corner. There were nurseries on the slope below, which became the 'square' around which housing would later be built. On 6 March 1773 the house was destroyed by fire. Arson was suspected....
