The Angel of the North is an enormous modern sculpture that has become one of the most powerful and recognizable symbols in England. The steel statue of an angel with its wide set of wings stands atop a grassy hill, welcoming visitors to the northern region of the country. Get a photo of the iconic sculpture dwarfing your family with its massive size.
See the enormous site peering over the hill as you drive to the northern cities of Gateshead and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. After artist Antony Gormley constructed the piece in 1998, it became one of the most discussed public works of art in the country. Enjoy a picnic with your family while sitting on a patch of grass beside it.
Admire the sheer enormity of the angel, whose wings stretch across a distance of 177 feet (54 metres). Note how they are tilted slightly forward to generate a feeling of embrace. Inspect the curved lines that run up the body of this rust-colored giant.
Learn about the effect the sculpture has had on local and international culture. Scale model maquettes of the structure made during the development stage have sold for enormous sums. Replicas of the angel have been put on display in places as far-flung as Canberra, Australia.
Consider the symbolism of the artwork, which covers themes such as the region’s economic transition from an industrial period to an era of information. It also pays tribute to the coal miners who worked for centuries beneath the hill.
Visit the angel for free at any time. The structure is built from weather-resistant materials to withstand the strong winds in its exposed hilltop location.
The Angel of the North is just 3 miles (5 kilometres) south of central Gateshead beside the neighbourhood of Lamesley and the Ravensworth Golf Club. Spot the statue while driving on the highway. Leave your car or bike in the site’s free parking lot.
