NZ2561 : Broad Walk, Saltwell Park
taken 14 years ago, near to Gateshead, England
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