The Banqueting Hall was completed in 1862 and included a gallery so
that he could show off his art collection to his guests. Niches
were built into the walls and held Greek statues on pedestals, a
water-driven pipe organ divided the main hall from the reception
room and long windows gave a series of glimpses of the Dene
outside. Because so much of the Banqueting Hall was below the level
of the road, a separate gatehouse, designed by Norman Shaw, was
built in 1870.
Over a number of years Sir William was able to buy more of
Jesmond Dene. He built many small bridges over the Ouseburn River
and planted a variety of exotic plants.
By 1885, Armstrong had built a much larger house at Cragside and
had no use for the the house and Banqueting Hall in the Dene so he
donated the buildings and surrounding park to the city of
Newcastle.
Unfortunately the Hall, which is a Grade 2 listed building, lost
its roof in the 1970s and is now in partial ruin, being used as a
storage area for local stonemasons and wood carvers.
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