| Saltwell Park | |
Saltwell Towers |
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Saltwell Park
Saltwell Park shown within Tyne and Wear |
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| OS grid reference | NZ253612 |
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| List of places: UK • England • Tyne and Wear | |
Saltwell Park is a Victorian park situated in Gateshead, England. The major part of the park was designed by Edward Kemp.[1] 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 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.[2]
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 and huge bird cage, a stream, bandstand, basketball 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 to perform.
From 1982 to 1993[1] the Children's play area of the park featured a retired Vickers Viscount 701 Airplane which had been modified, cutting its wings short and to include a slide for Children to play on for a small fee.[2]