Tales of Newcastle 

Travel: walk (or Metro to

West Jesmond if you’re feeling lazy)

Directions: walk down Osbourne Road (from city-centre). Turn right down Lindisfarne Road(this is just past all the bars) until you reach a T-junction. Jesmond Dene is immediately ahead. Turn left to reach the northern end of Jesmond Dene, and right to reach the southern end.

Jesmond Dene is a very unusual place. It stretches for nearly three kilometres between Jesmond and High Heaton and is a mixture of natural and artificially enhanced beauty, with picturesque bridges, tunnels and waterfalls, in addition to more substantial attractions such as a petting zoo and café. Since Victorian times the area has attracted people escaping the fury ofNewcastle life. Even now, the steep sides of the valley act as sound-proofing against traffic noise.

Despite the Dene’s current tranquillity, it owes much to the Industrial Revolution; in 1835, Sir William George Armstrong commissioned extensive landscaping of the area to celebrate his forthcoming marriage. In the 1860s, he acquired more land and built a banqueting hall, now ruined, in order to entertain his prospective business partners. He is also responsible for the planting of some of the more exotic plants on display, which have since naturalised in the Dene. The area also plays host to several animal species which are endangered elsewhere in the UK : the red squirrel and kingfisher – so take the chance to see them while you still can.

 

For prospective geographers and geologists - the steep-sided

valley of

Jesmond Dene was created by the glacial meltwaters of the Ouseburn, the source of which is around eight miles from the Dene, on Callerton Fell. The woodland was established in the centuries following the glacial melt, when the climate warmed. Holly, hazel, oak and ash are amongst the indigenous species, and still grow in the Northern end of the Dene.

 

Visiting Jesmond Dene is not season-dependent. It is magnificent in winter, with frost on the ruined watermill and bridges, whilst spring sees numerous varieties of plants, including crocuses, carpeting the clearings. Autumn is great for kicking around in leaves, and summer offers opportunities for relaxing in the grassy areas - perfect for picnics and playing with Frisbees.

 

Despite being so easily accessible, it is rarely very busy, especially in the northern end of the Dene. There are more people about on weekends, as an arts and crafts fair is held each Sunday, between 10am and 4pm at the

Armstrong

Bridge . For all the sporty students, Jesmond Dene is the place to go jogging; the bottom of the valley is flat, providing multiple circular routes along both sides of the Ouseburn. If you feel like a challenge, well-maintained paths wind up the valley sides, so trainers and running shoes can be worn all year round.

 

Millfield House is a decently priced café, selling coffee and cakes and also offering an exhibition about the Dene itself.  Fisherman’s Lodge is another eating-place within the Dene; it is a highly recommended restaurant. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price! If you fancy taking your own food, there are enough open spaces to accommodate an army of picnickers, as well as decent toilet facilities scattered around the valley.

 

The nearest Metro station to Jesmond Dene depends upon which bit of it you are aiming for. The simplest route is probably from West Jesmond Metro: cross under the Metro line and walk down Coniston Avenue and then Acorn Road until you reach Osbourne Road. Then follow the directions above.

 

Ultimately, the central location of Jesmond Dene means there is no excuse for missing out on thisNewcastle treasure.

 

Hannah Webster