NZ2561 : Dene Lodge, Saltwell Park
taken 14 years ago, near to Gateshead, England
The Dene is a natural feature in Saltwell Park, a stream valley. Its beauty was recognised by William Wailes Link who built Saltwell Towers and laid out its surrounding gardens as a private estate between 1850 and 1862. It is thought that The Dene was originally laid out to resemble a Scottish glen. Edward Kemp changed it in 1876 when he designed the rest of Saltwell Park giving it a more Italianate appearance with waterfalls and pools. His design was preserved in the earliest OS maps. In 2002, following a long period of neglect, The Dene was restored with funding from The Heritage Lottery Fund by realignment of the stream course, provision of a pumping system to recirculate the water, providing footpaths in their original locations and building several wooden bridges in their historical style.
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