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.

The Best Ice Cream in Heaton & Ouseburn

Where to get proper ice cream in and around Heaton, from Di Meo's riverside gelato in the Ouseburn to Ciccarelli at Paddy Freeman's Park and a vintage ice cream trike on Armstrong Bridge.

Meditation in Heaton

Free Buddhist drop-ins, guided meditation at an Ouseburn yoga studio, slow yin classes on Chillingham Road and mindfulness support at Maggie's: where to learn to meditate in and around Heaton.

The Best Streets to Live in Heaton

From the numbered Avenues off Chillingham Road to the porch-lined terraces of South Heaton and the quieter crescents of High Heaton, a street-by-street guide to where to live in Heaton and the trade-offs of each.

The Best Photography Spots in Heaton

From the bridges of the Ouseburn valley to a medieval ruin and the shoe tree, here are the best places to take photographs in and around Heaton.

A Heaton Heritage Walk: A Self-Guided Trail

A self-guided heritage walk through Heaton, taking in a medieval ruin, Victorian parks, Lord Armstrong's bridge and the shoe tree, all in an easy afternoon.

The Best Playgrounds in Heaton

A parent's guide to the best playgrounds in Heaton, from the two play areas in Heaton Park to the family favourite at Iris Brickfield and the woodland play in 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.