Armstrong Park

About Armstrong Park

Armstrong Park occupies part of the former grounds of Heaton Hall and was given to the people of Newcastle in 1879 by the industrialist Sir William Armstrong, who also presented the adjoining Jesmond Dene. Originally part of Bulman's Wood, its woodland was already mature, having been laid out in the 18th century to enhance Heaton Hall, and today it is recorded in the Ancient Woodland inventory with oak, elm, beech, ash and sycamore. The park retains historic features including King John's Well, thought to have been a medicinal spring, and the remains of an old windmill overlooking the wooded banks of the Ouseburn.

The park links Heaton Park to Jesmond Dene along the east bank of the valley, with footpaths winding through the trees and a sunken pedestrian route known as the "cattle run", built in 1880. It is home to the well-known Heaton Shoe Tree, an old sycamore into which generations of students have thrown shoes to mark the end of exams, a landmark that has become part of local folklore. The park also provides tennis courts and open recreation space for the surrounding neighbourhood.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Armstrong Park.

Parks & Green Spaces in Heaton

Heaton Park, Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene run into one another along the Ouseburn to form one of Newcastle's finest green corridors, here's how to explore all three.

Free Things to Do in Heaton & Ouseburn

A local guide to the best free days out in east Newcastle, from a city farm and independent galleries to woodland parks and free riverside gigs.

The Best Walks in Heaton & Ouseburn

From the green corridor above the Ouseburn to the riverside path down to the Quayside, here are four of the best walks in east Newcastle.