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Information
Dating back to 1876,
Saltwell Park was designed to provide a
haven of peace and tranquillity for the
working folk of Gateshead, somewhere
they could enjoy their precious leisure
hours away from the heavy industry that
provided their livelihood.
Saltwell Lake
The restoration of 11
Grade II listed buildings and
structures; footpath improvements; work
on gates and boundary walls; major tree
planting and landscaping; restoration of
parkland; significant restoration of the
lake complete with functional fountains;
and the reinstatement of formal gardens
and maze, have revitalised this
beautiful park.
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Saltwell Park
(Gateshead)
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 One of Britain's oldest Victorian parks that has
lovingly and expensively been refurbished by Gateshead Council.
The Council
celebrated the scooping of £6.9m of lottery cash to go towards a
£10m restoration of the park, acknowledged as one of the finest
surviving examples of a traditional Victorian municipal parks.
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More than 500,000
people come to the park each year, which has 12 listed buildings
including a Gothic fairytale mansion, Saltwell Towers. The money
will be spent on recreating the Victorian landscape, restoring
historic features, improving play areas and creating new
interpretation facilities.
The five-year project will
recreate the Victorian landscape, placing the area firmly back on
the heritage map as one of the leading examples of a Victorian
municipal Park.
Saltwell Park mixes historic
features with stunning Victorian landscapes to create an air of
grandeur and a fabulous green space in the heart of Gateshead.
Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in partnership with Gateshead
Council, the £10 million renovation project is due for completion in
spring 2005.
Saltwell Park has a long history. Originally the
private grounds of a Victorian mansion it was bought in 1876 by
Gateshead Corporation, which decided to extend the park adding a
fourteen and a half acre lake in 1880.
SALTWELL PARK CROWNED BEST IN BRITAIN
 There
was plenty of celebrating in Gateshead in 2005, as Saltwell Park was
officially crowned winner of the Britain’s Best Park competition.
Judged throughout the summer on criteria including
environment, access, maintenance and community involvement, Saltwell
Park beat off stiff competition from across the country to take the
top honours.
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The
prize, a Simplicity Zero Turn ZT20-50 mower worth almost £4,000, was
presented by competition sponsors, engine manufacturers Briggs &
Stratton, at a ceremony in the park. Park staff and the Mayor of
Gateshead Joe Mitchinson were on hand to receive the prize from
marketing and business development director Bryan Peachey, who
explained how the judges came to their final decision.
“We were
impressed by the high standard of horticulture, wide range of
facilities and the commitment of Gateshead Council to its parks and
the part they play in the daily lives of its citizens,” he said.
“Saltwell Park in particular is a safe, attractive and welcoming
environment for people of all ages and interests.”
Councillor Brian Richmond, ward councillor for High Fell in
Gateshead, said: “This award is a
fantastic achievement for Gateshead and it’s great to have all the
hard work of employees and members across the council recognised on
a national level.
“Over
the last five years, we have driven a dramatic £10 million
restoration scheme to return Saltwell Park to its original Victorian
glory. The Peoples Park – as it was once known – now boasts Saltwell
Towers, a restored mansion in the heart of the park, a boating lake,
a tranquil Dene, a maze and acres of open space, trees, plants and
flowers.
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“Visitors and residents of Gateshead now not only have a piece of
history right on their doorsteps, but also a beautiful place to meet
and relax in the heart of the borough.”In addition to the lawn
maintenance equipment, a commemorative plaque was presented, which
will be displayed in Saltwell Park.
Saltwell Park is located behind Gateshead College
and is signposted from the A167. |
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