10 Beautiful Parks in Newcastle Every Local (and Visitor) Should Explore

Coming up: cows, art installations, a bowling green, little parks, big parks, references to New York, more shoes than you’d probably expect, and the 10 best parks in Newcastle.

I was born and raised in Newcastle, and I’ve spent around half my adult life there.

So I’ve explored every pocket of the place…

Pin

… and I’ve already given you guides on:

But this time, we’re exploring Newcastle’s best parks (cos the place has more green spaces than even the locals realize). Expect city-center options, tucked-away residential stuff, and one of the best parks in the whole of the UK.

Pack a picnic and come join the party!

Pin

1. The Town Moor

Best for: staring at cows, finding a pocket of peace, and loads of land to roam

Pin

The Town Moor isn’t really a park—instead, it’s basically just a massive, well-maintained field, with cows, grass, little hills, and running and cycling tracks. If you’re looking for something peaceful, this is the one for you… and the further north you go, the less busy it gets.

So, in the central and northern parts of the Town Moor, you won’t really find anything to do.

… but the southern part of the Town Moor is closer to civilization. Here, you’re a 15-minute walk from Newcastle city center, and you’re right beside the super-popular Exhibition Park (more coming up on that place soon).

Fun Fact: The Town Moor is bigger than New York’s Central Park.

Pin

Fun Fact #2: The Town Moor hosts Newcastle’s yearly ‘Hoppings’ event, each June. Massively popular in the city, it’s been happening since the 1880s, and it’s the biggest traveling fairground in Europe.

• Address: Grandstand Road, Newcastle
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: West Jesmond Metro Station

2. Jesmond Dene

Best for: splashing around in a waterfall, walking into central Newcastle, and a nice pretty wander

Another place that isn’t really a park.

Pin

Instead, Jesmond Dene is a narrow valley, running from the outskirts of Newcastle to almost the center of the city. In total, it clocks in at a little over 2 miles (a little over 3.2km).

Highlights include:

• A cafe
• A waterfall
• A petting zoo
• Places for kids to play
• Gentle but pretty walking trails
• A nearby park (more on that place soon)
• A weekend food market (located on Armstrong Bridge)

I recommend heading to South Gosforth Metro Station, wandering into the Dene from there, then following the pretty river until it (almost) meets the city center. Along this route, you’re seeing pretty much the whole Dene, you’ll find all the highlights, and you’ll have a nice walk.

• Address: various, but I’d start your adventure from South Gosforth Metro Station
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: South Gosforth Metro Station

3. Exhibition Park

Best for: feeding ducks, picnicking with your kids, exploring Wylam Brewery, and sitting between the Town Moor and the city center

As we said, this one sits at the southern tip of the Town Moor.

Exhibition Park is the first real park we’ve brought you, and it’s one of the city’s most popular green spaces.

Perks include tennis courts, a skate park, kids’ playgrounds, a duck-filled lake, park benches, patches of grass, and Urban Green Cafe. Also sitting in the park, you’ll find the super-popular Wylam Brewery, one of the city’s best-known spots for events, dancing, outdoor drinking, and sipping on locally-made food and drink.

If you’re not sure which Newcastle park to choose, this is a good option.

• Address: Exhibition Park, Claremont Road, Newcastle, NE2 4PZ
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: 15-minute walk from Haymarket bus and Metro stations

4. Paddy Freeman’s Park

Best for: local people who live nearby

Paddy Freeman’s Park is directly connected to Jesmond Dene.

Pin

To be honest, it’s not the most impressive place in the world…

… but it’s always relatively quiet and peaceful (and maybe that’s what you’re looking for).

Usually, the only people you see in Paddy Freeman’s Park are local families. The park has a lake, lots of ducks, some tennis courts, a car park, and a kids’ playpark.

If you live locally, come here. If you don’t, don’t bother.

• Address: Freeman Road, Newcastle, NE2 2EY
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: the metro stations at Ilford Road, South Gosforth, and Longbenton

5. Heaton Park

Best for: hanging with youngsters, making friends with students, and finding a collection of strange shoes

The most studenty of all the Newcastle parks we’ve brought you, Heaton Park sits in the neighborhood of Heaton (yep, you probably could have worked that out for yourself).

This part of Newcastle is where many of the city’s students live. On a sunny summer day here, you’ll usually find young people picnicking, playing music, and drinking more than eating.

The park is home to a branch of the Sambuca’s food chain, some small forest areas, a kids’ play park, a few benches, and lots of fields.

… but it’s most well-known for its bizarre ‘shoe tree.’ This massive sycamore tree has hundreds of shoes hanging from it (yes, really). No one seems to know why. Make sure you find it.

When you’re done in the park, head to Heaton Road for all its independent cafes. The Butterfly Cabinet is a big local favorite and serves up brunch classics, muffins, pancakes, sandwiches, milkshakes, great coffee, and plenty more. Massively recommended!

• Address: Jesmond Vale Lane, Newcastle, NE6 5JS
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: between Chillingham Road Metro Station and Jesmond Metro Station

6. Leazes Park

Best for: a city-center park, feeding some ducks, and views of St James’ Park

Leazes Park sits right in the center of the city…

… and because it sits right in the center of the city, it offers views of St James’ Park. As you might already know, St James’ Park is where Newcastle United play their football games (and by ‘football,’ I mean ‘soccer’).

Pin

Other perks of Leazes Park include bandstands, a duck-filled lake, tennis courts, basketball courts, and the excellent Tower Cafe. On a sunny summer day, Leazes Park gets pretty busy—mainly with families and couples.

• Address: Leazes Park, Newcastle, NE2 4BJ
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: walk from the city center

7. Saltwell Park

Best for: lots of things to do, visiting one of England’s top parks, and meeting some cute critters

Regularly voted as one of the best parks in the UK, Saltwell Park actually sits over the river in Gateshead.

… but it’s absolutely worth the trip.

Pin

Measuring in at 22 hectares/55 acres (that’s the size of 30 soccer pitches!), highlights in this genuinely beautiful park include:

• A maze
• Play areas
• A boating lake
• Art installations
• Free on-site parking
• Rabbits and guinea pigs
• A load of running and walking trails
• Lots of picnic tables and picnic spots*
• The Tyneside Beekeepers Association(!)
• Lots of wildlife (including birds and squirrels)
• Tennis courts, basketball courts, and more than one bowling green
• And a restored Gothic mansion (where you’ll find the visitor center and a tearoom)

… and on top of all that, the place also hosts events, festivals, light shows, and fireworks displays.

In short, if you’re looking for a park with lots to do, Saltwell Park is the one for you.

*For more al-fresco-eating, head over to our guide on the best picnic spots in Newcastle.

• Address: East Park Road, Gateshead, NE9 5AX
• Open 24/7: No—only open between dawn and dusk
• Nearest transport station: the 53 and 54 buses run right by the park

8. Armstrong Park

Best for: a quiet atmosphere, and being close to Heaton Park

The little Armstrong Park sits a two-minute walk north of Heaton Park, and the two basically blend into one another.

Pin

(and to be honest I don’t even know where one ends and the other begins. Does anyone?)

… anyway, if you want the Heaton Park location, but with quieter vibes, this is the place for you. You get a play area, tennis and basketball courts, fields, and not much else. Good for a quiet family-friendly picnic, but not worth visiting if you’re not already in the area.

• Address: 1 Burlington Gardens, Newcastle, NE6 5QJ
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: Chillingham Road Metro Station

9. Nuns Moor Park

Best for: a community atmosphere, unusual events, and plenty of space

Pin

This one sits between the Town Moor and the western Newcastle outskirt suburb of Fenham.

… so it’s another good choice for people who live in Newcastle… but not a great option for tourists.

Bigger than most people expect, Nuns Moor Park (for reasons I don’t understand) is broken up into different parks (Nuns Moor South, Nuns Moor Central, and Hunters Moor).

In truth though, they’re all attached to each other, and they all blend into one.

An underrated place, Nuns Moor Park features play areas, flower fields, park benches, summertime picnickers, planted trees, a community orchard, and lots of dog walkers and local families. If you live nearby, make sure you visit—and you’ll have found your new favorite park.

Pro Tip: Make sure you also check out The Bike Garden, a welcoming space with local-led projects, events, and food-based fun. As you’ve probably worked out by now, this park services up big cozy community vibes.

• Address: Brighton Grove, Newcastle, NE4
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: etc

10. City Stadium

Best for: exploring the very-nearby Ouseburn (the best part of Newcastle!)

Not the most impressive park in the world, but this one sits at the top of the Ouseburn area…

… and that’s the best part of the city.

Pin

Recently voted as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the UK by TimeOut, it’s a cozy labyrinthine once-industrial area, and it’s filled with loads of trendy independent bars, cafes, restaurants, and unusual venues (including a petting zoo!).

The park itself has a play area, a basketball court, a big wide grassy field, a reasonably-well-maintained circular gravel running track, and not much else. Yep, it’s nothing special, but it’s a great location for exploring the neighborhood.

(oh, and despite its name, City Stadium is very much a park… and not a stadium at all. Confusing).

For much more on the best part of Newcastle by far, get yourself over to our guides on:

Pin

Pro Tip: I recommend taking a tour of that last place! You’ll find all the information you need in my post: Victoria Tunnel Complete Guide.

• Address: City Stadium, Newcastle, NE6 5PA
• Open 24/7: Yes
• Nearest transport station: Manors Metro Station

Before You Go

Okay you, that’s us finished here—they’re the 10 best parks in Newcastle!

To sum up, the best three are:

• Jesmond Dene: it has walks and a waterfall, even though it’s not really a park
• Exhibition Park: central, pretty, full of fun, AND close to the Town Moor
• Saltwell Park: the best local park by far, but it actually sits in Gateshead

For more on Newcastle, check out our guides on the city’s best places to stay and trying to interpret the weird local accent.