Cool Gardens: Welcome to the People’s Park
Another in my Cool Gardens series – this time, one of the UK’s top 10 parks – Saltwell Park, Gateshead. Pictures by Vanessa Sundin.
I’m biased, as Gateshead is my home town, but Saltwell Park is one hell of a place, full of memories – childhood, teenager and great times with my children. It’s changed massively since I was a kid, thanks to a multimillion-pound restoration from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Gateshead Council.
I remember Saltwell Towers as a derelict, fenced-off no-go area and a notorious concrete paddling pool (glass and wee). Still, between 2000 and 2005, it was transformed back to its Victorian glory, winning Britain’s Best Park in 2005 and the Civic Trust Park of the Year Award in 2006. The park has won a Green Flag award every year since 2006 and in 2013 was re-listed as a Green Heritage site in the UK. It now attracts more than two million visitors a year.
The restoration involved the planting of 30,000 new trees and shrubs, 100 new Victorian-style seats, plus a renovation of Saltwell Towers and the maze. However, I do miss the plane (there was an old Viscount with cut-off wings to play in before health and safety went mad).
Saltwell Park’s origins
The park opened in 1876, and provided a haven of peace and tranquillity for the town’s workers, hence the original name – the People’s Park. The central area was originally the private mansion of Saltwell Towers and its gardens, built by stained glass designer William Wailes between 1850 and 1862.
Saltwell Towers and its landscaped gardens
After decades of dereliction, Saltwell Towers houses a cafe, visitor centre and venue. The building’s mix of Gothic, Elizabethan and French styles has been sensitively restored. A contemporary interior hosts art exhibits and displays on the history of the park. Atwo-storey centrepiece screen designed by local artist Bridget Jones celebrates the northeast’s place in glass history.
Bewick’s Tearoom at Saltwell Towers serves drinks and snacks, and rather splendid afternoon teas, which you can eat out on the terrace, overlooking the gardens. The old maze, which was half dead and finally cordoned off, was replanted with 1200 new trees.
Listed structures and the Salte Welle
I didn’t appreciate it in the 1980s, but there are 12 Grade II listed structures and the park itself is a Grade ll Park and Garden of Special Historic Interest. One of the things that intrigued me about the park as a child was the drinking fountain near the Saltwell Road gates. It always looked impossibly old and spooky, gabled with Medieval-style Christian script, built in 1872.
Now a Grade II listed structure, the hills of Gateshead are home to many springs and wells, often named after the quality of the water, so no prizes for guessing what the water tasted like! A small archway has the text “ for ye goode of thirstie dogges” at the base of the well.
Other highlights
Over its 55 acres, the park offers a whole range of facilities.
- Free tennis and basketball.
- Two play areas.
- Three bowling greens, with historic Avenue Green Pavilion.
- The Northern Fields – the main grassed area for picnics and events.
- The four-acre lake is a refuge for wildlife, especially waterfowl. Kingfishers have returned after a long absence. Boating and model boating take place during the summer. Visit www.saltwellparkmodelboatclub.co.uk.
- The Education Centre is based in the restored stable blocks behind the towers.
- Pets’ corner – two aviaries have been restored to house some of the park’s much-loved animals, including peacocks.
- The Dene – a steep-sided woodland valley, typical of the area. The restored stream looks lovely with pools, cascades and a lily pond.
- The Rose Garden – traditional beds filled with roses, with seating covered with arbours. A quiet place for contemplation.
- Read more about the Buzzing Garden.
Saltwell Park Gateshead – Essential information
- Address: Saltwell Park, East Park Road, Gateshead NE9 5AX, phone: 0191 433 3267.
- Accessibility: On foot from East Park Road, West Park Road, Saltwell Road South, Saltwell View and Joicey Road.
- Car and coach park: From Durham Road (A167) via Joicey Road.
- Opening hours: Dawn to dusk all year, including all public holidays.
- Friends of Saltwell Park: A mass of information on their website, www.friendsofsaltwellpark.co.uk.
