Highlights
- Waterfalls and bridges over the River Ouseburn
- Remains of the valley's milling and industrial past
- Pets Corner, free to visit, with a play area next door
- Riverside wildlife including kingfishers, dippers and otters
About Jesmond Dene
Jesmond Dene follows the River Ouseburn through a steep wooded valley in Newcastle. Mills along the river once powered local industry, and traces of that past survive along the paths. By 1862 the industrialist William Armstrong owned most of the dene, built Jesmond Dene House and, with his wife, turned the grounds into a private garden with waterfalls, a grotto and exotic trees.
Armstrong gave the dene to the people of Newcastle in 1883, and it opened as a public park in 1884. It is registered by Historic England together with Armstrong Park and Heaton Park, and it keeps the feel of a natural valley rather than a formal garden.
What to see
- Waterfalls and bridges along the Ouseburn, created as part of Armstrong's landscape.
- Woodland paths and nature trails, with a chance of seeing kingfishers, dippers and signs of otters.
- Pets Corner, a family favourite since the 1960s, with a play area built in 2011 beside it.
- The picnic field near the waterfall, with toilets close by.
Planning your visit
The nearest Metro stations are Jesmond and West Jesmond, and Ilford Road is closer to the north end. Parking is along Red Walk, with disabled spaces near the Visitor Centre, and on Benton Bank. The Visitor Centre, next to Pets Corner, has a café, gift shop and toilets.
Some paths are steep, so those with wheelchairs or pushchairs may prefer the flatter riverside routes. Pond dipping and table tennis are also on offer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jesmond Dene free to visit?
Yes. The park and Pets Corner are both free to enter.
Where can I park for Jesmond Dene?
There is parking along Red Walk, with disabled spaces near the Visitor Centre, and on Benton Bank. The nearest Metro stations are Jesmond and West Jesmond.
Is Jesmond Dene suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
Some footpaths are suitable for prams and wheelchairs, but many are steep. The flatter routes run alongside the river.