NZ2560 : Charlton Memorial Fountain, Saltwell Park
taken 14 years ago, near to Gateshead, England
Built between 1860 and 1871 in Saltwell Park (formerly the estate of the house), for William Wailes, the stained-glass manufacturer Link
The style of the building is largely a mixture of Gothic and Elizabethan with some French influence. The general external appearance is dominated by asymmetrical towers, steeply pitched roofs, plain and crenellated parapets and tall chimney-stacks. The house is built in dark brick with yellow brick dressings and some yellow brick decorative patterns.
In 1876 Wailes sold Saltwell Towers to Gateshead, but leased it back. A later occupant was J.A.D. Shipley (d.1909), whose picture collection became the Shipley Art Gallery NZ2561 : Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead. In 1914-18 Saltwell Towers was a hospital, but afterwards stood empty until used as the Local and Industrial Museum, 1933-68. Dry rot forced its closure and it remained derelict and roofless for some years.
It was re-opened to the public as Saltwell Park's Visitor Centre and cafe in 2004 after undergoing a five-year restoration scheme costing more than £3m. The work by Gateshead Council’s Local Environmental Services was awarded the Gold Laurel Award by the Institute of Maintenance and Building Management in 2006.
Tyne and Wear HER(8261): Gateshead, Saltwell Park, Saltwell Towers Link
Major Award for Saltwell Towers 05/06/2006 Link
Saltwell Park is a large Victorian park situated in Gateshead. The major part of the park was designed by Edward Kemp. Also known as the 'People's Park' and part of Gateshead's heritage since it opened to the public in 1876, the park is steeped in history. Thanks to a £10 million restoration project 2002-2005 funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Gateshead Council, the park has been restored to its former glory.
Saltwell Park has been given numerous prestigious awards, such as "Britain's Best Park" 2005 and "Green Flag Award" 2006 amongst others.
At the centre lies William Wailes's former home, the Grade II listed Saltwell Towers, also restored, with the addition of a café and visitor information points located in the building.
The park also contains a boating lake, children's play areas including animal stables, aviaries, a stream (The Dene), bandstand, a yew-hedge maze, bowling greens and tennis courts. The park's bandstand was at one time situated in the middle of the lake and bands had to travel across the lake by boat.
War memorials, decorative seats and many items of public art are also to be found.
Link
A detailed descriptive history of the park is given here Link
Other images of Saltwell Park on Geograph (including mine) can be found here Link
Tyne and Wear HER(5004): Gateshead, Saltwell Park Link