A café housed inside a former church is drawing attention for its unusual setting, distinctive interiors and generous breakfasts.
Café Under The Spire, in Bensham, Gateshead, occupies part of a Grade II-listed church building and combines a café, arts space and events venue under one roof.
While the stone exterior and towering spire dominate the view from outside, the interior tells a different story, with vintage furniture, artwork and decorative pieces spread throughout the building.
Inside Café Under The Spire in Gateshead, where vintage furniture, artwork and historic architecture combine to create one of the region's most distinctive café settings. (Image: Café Under The Spire)
The venue also serves as a gallery space, with visitors able to browse artwork while enjoying coffee, cake or a meal.
Food remains a major draw, with the café serving all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, pizzas, cakes and Sunday lunches.
Among those to visit recently was social media creator known as @pippaspalate, who shared her experience of the venue with followers.
In a video filmed at the café, she said: "This café in Gateshead is perfect for autumn and all of your cosy witchy vibes."
She added: "This is Café Under The Spire and it's actually inside of an old church."
During her visit, she pointed to the artwork on display and said "the café actually doubles as an art gallery", while also highlighting handmade mirror pieces that were available to buy.
The creator visited for breakfast and praised both the atmosphere and the food, saying: "Everything just felt really rustic and homemade."
After ordering the all-day breakfast, she added: "I feel like I haven't had a full English this generous in a while. It was absolutely delicious."
Similar praise can be found in online reviews, where visitors frequently highlight the character of the venue as much as the menu.
Artwork, fairy lights and vintage furnishings line the stairwell inside Café Under The Spire, which doubles as a café and gallery space in Gateshead. (Image: Café Under The Spire)
One reviewer described it as a "unique and beautifully furnished café", adding that the mismatched furniture made it feel "so charming" and that "quirky comes to mind".
Another said stepping inside the former church was "like being inside an artist's head", praising its atmosphere, décor and food.
A further reviewer described the venue as "very atmospheric and quirky", adding that they enjoyed a Sunday lunch in surroundings unlike anywhere else they had visited.
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Alongside its food offering, the café hosts regular music and comedy nights, helping it establish itself as a community venue as well as a place to eat and drink.
For those looking for somewhere a little different from the traditional café experience, Café Under The Spire offers a combination of historic surroundings, local artwork and comfort food that continues to win over visitors.