Description

Jesmond Dene

Sandra will be very kindly leading this walk as this is her stomping ground and she is full of useful and interesting information about the area.

We will walk through the beautiful Jesmond Dene and surrounding Parks, taking in a few hidden gems and viewpoints.  After this, we will go onto trendy Ouseburn and back to Heaton for cake and coffee.

Jesmond Dene was Lord Armstrong’s garden, which he gifted to the people of Newcastle in 1883.  The Dene is full of nature, wildlife and history.

Although in the centre of the city nearly all the walk follows off-road paths and is mostly through quiet green areas. There are some steps and short climbs and it may be muddy in places.

Details

Hills:		Some small hills
Distance:		Medium distance
Grade:		Moderate
Map:
This walk is on OS map 316 Newcastle upon Tyne.  Click on map image to buy this map.
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The start

We will start from Heaton Park and walk from there up through Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene to Paddy Freeman’s Park and Castle Farm.

Paddy Freeman’s Park & Castle Farm

These are at the North end of Jesmond Dene, which is the direction that we initially follow from the car park.

Open air activities are the focus of Paddy Freeman’s Park.  There is a bowling green and two tennis courts for public use.  There is also a lake which the model boat club use.

From Castle Farm we will follow the Ouseburn South, through Jesmond Vale.

Jesmond Vale

The area of Jesmond Vale covers several parks, including Armstrong Park, Heaton Park and Ouseburn Park.  It was also the location of Jesmond Vale village.  This village is largely lost now but The Bluebell, one of three pubs, still exists.  As does the mill, which we will pass on our way.

Ouseburn Farm and Barrage

As we follow the Ouseburn further towards the Tyne, we come to the Ouseburn Farm and Barrage.  A social scene has developed in this area and it has become a centre for live music.

Parents from nearby Byker wanted their children to see nature and grow their own food.  So, in 1976, they founded the farm.  The farm is now a charity and attracts over 30,000 visitors a year.

The Barrage has been the subject of some controversy, since completion in 2009.  It was designed to maintain a high water level in the Ouseburn basin and in turn help regenerate the area.  However, it was not used for much of its life.  In 2016 it came back into normal use.

Back to Heaton

After exploring the Ouseburn area, we will head back towards Heaton for tea and cake.

Hope to see you there,

Julie and Martin

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