Men's Heritage Hub

Pride of the Tyne

Barbour was born from the need for hard-wearing, weather-protective clothing for the shipbuilders and fishermen of the North East. No frills, all function, our purposeful design soon caught the attention of other seafarers. This collection celebrates our place in the historic community of the Tyne, drawing from our archive Ursula Jacket to create a new range of rugged layers and waterproof outerwear in a maritime-inspired palette.

The Ursula, First Introduced in 1939.

Captain George Philips took command of the HMS Ursula in 1937. It was from there that he privately commissioned the very first Ursula Jacket, feeling dissatisfied with the standard-issue protective clothing. Crafted from wax cotton, with a buckled throat strap, covered zip front, large patch pockets and metal hardware, its functional design DNA is reflected across the range you see here now.

The Modified Ursula Jacket

Refined silhouettes for a more boxy, shorter fit.

Stories from the Tyne

The River Tyne has long been woven into the fabric of Barbour. It is part of where our story began - shaped by the fishermen, shipbuilders and seafarers of the North East who needed clothing made to withstand life on the water.

With thanks to the North Shield's Fishermen's Heritage Project for their support and invaluable insight throughout this project.

Terry has spent his life connected to the North Shields Fish Quay, a place where generations of fishing families have worked, gathered and built their lives.

Rory's connection to the Tyne stretches back generations with his ancestors working on and around the river as fishermen, herring girls and lighthouse keepers.

Barbour Transport Ursula Waterproof Jacket

Tony left school and started working on the Fish Quay. From starting out in the fishing trade to building his own successful family business, his story is one of a lifelong connection to the place he calls home.