Newcastle Parks and Gardens

(Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, UK)

A modern city filled with imposing architecture, Newcastle also contains a series of large parks and small gardens, although many of the surrounding green spaces are actually provided by golf courses. Particularly central is Leazes Park, where highlights include a boating lake, angling, a bandstand, tennis courts and aviaries.

If you are prepared to travel a little outside of Newcastle, then further related attractions present themselves in places such as nearby Alnwick, Chester-le-Street and Washington. Located approximately 45-minutes drive to the north, the hillside Cragside House has been a National Trust property since 1977 and comes with large historic landscaped gardens and extensive parkland, dating back to the late 19th century. Cragside was once the country house of famed Victorian inventor Lord Armstrong and is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts, since it features various hides suitable for birdwatching.

Cragside House and Gardens

Address: Coquetdale, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7PX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1669 620333
Cragside House draws many thousands of visitors each year, who come here to admire its formal landscaping, woodland areas, scenic lakes and many mature trees and shrubs. The grounds cover around 1,000 acres / 490 hectares and feature a large collection of conifers, a huge number of rhododendrons and a giant rockery. Interestingly, this was actually the very first house anywhere on the planet to have lighting powered by hydroelectricity.
Open hours: April to October, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:30 to 19:00, November to December, Wednesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors, free to members of the National Trust

Jesmond Dene Park

Address: Jesmond Dene Road, Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 2HP, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 232 8520
Jesmond Dene Park is an extremely popular parkland, located close to the city centre. With colourful flower borders, open expanses of grass, plentiful benches and a well laid-out pets' corner, this is a peaceful spot. Look out for the old mill, the stepping stones and the tea room.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Alnwick Garden

Address: Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE66 1YU, England
Tel: +44 (0)1665 511 350
Situated in the neighbouring town of Alnwick, roughly 35 miles / 56 km to the north of Newcastle, the award-winning Alnwick Garden is an inspiring landscaped garden, combining modern technology and contemporary design. The centrepiece is without doubt the Grade Cascade, a tumbling mass of water ending in a spectacular group of fountains, which send around 350 litres of water into the air every second.
Open hours: daily, summer - 10:00 to 20:00, winter - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children under 16 years old are free

Exhibition Park

Address: The Town Moor, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE3 2DS, England
Lying on the northern side of the city, Exhibition Park is an attractive parkland with pathways, seating areas, a miniature golf course, a boating lake and tennis courts. Nearby attractions include Fencerhill Wood, the Gosforth Bohemians Sports Club and the City of Newcastle Golf Club.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Riverside Park

Address: Riverside Park Road, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 389 0986
Riverside Park is located on the outskirts of the city, being roughly 20 minutes to the south and within the neighbouring County Durham market town of Chester-le-Street. With scenic views of the River Wear, an extensive playground area for children, a café and seating, Riverside also features bowling greens and is close to a popular local cricket club.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Leazes Park

Address: Richardson Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE2 4AZ, England
Sited in the very heart of the city, between the university and the Benwell Recreation Ground, Leazes Park features mature trees and shrubs, open expanses of grass, tennis courts, a boating lake and a manicured bowling green - home of the Springbank Bowls Club. Leazes Park dates back to the 1870s and has just enjoyed extensive renovation work costing almost £5 million, being partially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Of note, the Newcastle United Football Club is conveniently nearby.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Gibside Gardens

Address: Rowlands Gill, Burnopfield, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE16 6BG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1207 542255
Dating back to the 18th century and boasting a scenic backdrop provided by the Derwent Valley, Gibside is now owned and managed by the National Trust and features a noticeable Georgian character, complete with a Palladian chapel, views of the river, woodland walks, a walled Victorian garden and an attractive pond. The onsite farm shop and tea rooms provide further interest, as does the farmers' market, which is held each month and features a wide variety of local produce.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00, closing at 16:00 during the winter
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Nuns Moor Park

Address: Nuns Moor Road, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE4 9AU, England
Family friendly Nuns Moor Park is an attractive location on the western side of the city. Visitors will find pathways, seating suitable for picnics, tennis courts, a playground with swings and climbing frames, small football pitches and a well-maintained bowling green.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Washington Waterfowl Park

Address: The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, District 15, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE38 8LE, England
Tel: +44 (0)191 416 5454
The Washington Waterfowl Park lies on the far south-eastern outskirts of the city, close to Washington and Sunderland, where it is home to a large number of wild birds, big ponds, a visitors' centre, a number of conservation exhibits, a café area and a popular gift shop.
Open hours: daily - 09:30 to 17:00, closing at 16:00 during the winter
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors