William Newton (1730–1798) was an English architect who worked mainly in Newcastle upon Tyne and Northumberland. His work shows a conventional but elegant classical style, influenced by Adam and Paine, and with a strong Palladian feel typical of late 18th-century architecture. Most of his buildings are stately homes in rural Northumberland, but he also created some interesting public works in Newcastle: The Assembly Rooms, St Anne's Church, the refaced Guildhall, and elegant private housing in Charlotte Square.
He was the son of Robert Newton, a builder. He married Dorothy Bell and lived for 28 years at 1, Charlotte Square, Newcastle. His big break came when he was appointed architect for The Assembly Rooms in Newcastle in 1774; as a result he became favoured by the Northumbrian élite. He has been described as 'the first truly Nothumbrian architect'.
List of notable works
The Infirmary, Newcastle 1751-2 (demolished 1954)
Capheaton Hall (North front) 1758
St Mungo, Simonburn (rebuilding of aisles) 1763
St Ann's Church, Newcastle 1764
Charlotte Square, Newcastle 1770
Kielder Castle 1772
Assembly Rooms, Newcastle 1774-6
Killingworth House (probably added wings) 1770s (demolished 1954)
The Castle, Castle Eden c1775
Shawdon Hall 1779 (probable attribution)
Backworth Hall 1780
Acton House 1781
Charlton Hall 1782
Howick Hall 1782
Heaton Hall (refronting) 1783 (demolished 1933)
The Temple, Heaton Hall (now at Blagdon Hall) 1783
St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle 1783-7, (internal restoration), with David Stephenson
Whitfield Hall 1785
Hebburn Hall 1790
St Bartholomew's Church, Longbenton 1790
Dissington Hall 1794
Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne 1794, (refronting), with David Stephenson
Hesleyside Hall (East front) 1796
Lemmington Hall (alterations)
Fenham Hall (attribution and date uncertain)
Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Ireland (1769) - various works
McCombie and Grundy have used stylistic evidence to suggest some additional attributions:
The Lodge, Capheaton village
Craster Tower (South wing) 1769
Close House 1779
Newton Hall
Togston Hall
Faulkner and Lowery make one additional suggestion:
Broome Park, Edlingham (demolished 1953)