Saltwell Park is a very large park in the town of Gateshead in Tyne & Wear
Saltwell Park Home

Saltwell Towers Saltwell Park, based in the heart of Gateshead, is one of Britain's finest examples of a Victorian Park. It has been awarded the following prestigious awards:

Green Flag Award 2006;
Civic Trust Park of the Year Award 2006;
Gold Laurel Award by the Institute of Maintenance and Building Management 2006;
Scala Commendation for Saltwell Towers 2005;
Britain's Best Park 2005;
Civic Building of the Year (Saltwell Towers) 2005;
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Northern Region Building Conservation Gold Award (Saltwell Towers) North East Renaissance Awards 2005;
Green Flag Award 2008 & Green Heritage Award 2008.
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.

Now, thanks to a £10 million restoration project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Gateshead Council, Saltwell Park has undergone an amazing transformation that has seen it restored to all its Victorian splendour.

It encompasses 55 acres of landscapes, woodland and ornamental gardens as well as public sports facilities, a refreshment house, a lake, play areas, bowling greens, Saltwell Towers, the animal house, an education centre and a maze.

Attracting more than two million visitors each year the Park was voted the best in Britain in 2005 for its high standard of horticulture, wide range of facilities and its place as a centre for community activities.

Opening hours

Park: From dawn until dusk throughout the year including all public holidays.

Saltwell Towers:
Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm and Sun 10am-5pm until 31 October.

Then from 1 November until Good Friday, Mon-Sun 11am-3pm.

Leeds Armouries is well worth a visit it has everything under one roof to do with all kinds of armour and weapons throughout history with over 8'000 exhibits for you to see, There is also a Falconry were you can see demostrtions of ancient methods of hunting with Birds of Prey.

ST NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL NEWCASTLE.

St Nicholas Cathedral; the Mother Church of the Diocese of Newcastle which stretches from the Tyne to the Tweed.

For over 900 years St Nicholas has been the parish church of Newcastle but when in 1882 the new Diocese was founded it also became England’s most northerly cathedral.

History

One of England’s smaller cathedrals, we are nevertheless proud of our historic building which bears eloquent testimony to the part played by the church in the life of the people of Newcastle and the North East over many generations. Set at the heart of the North East’s dynamic regional capital.

Dunglass Church is just south of Edinburgh off the A1 road, it dates from the fourteen hundreds. It is well worth a visit when going North or South along the A1. It has somes signs on the walls relating to the Knights Templers.

St Peters Parish Church is in Chillingham Northumberland, and was founded in the 12th Century.

Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair.
It is about six miles south of Edinburgh. it is also mentioned in the book the Davinci Code and features in the movie of the same name starring Tom Hanks.
See link for more information of this Historic Chapel.

Fountains Abbey and grounds are 4 miles west of Rippon in North Yorkshire.
It has app 300,000 visitors a year, and is on a 822 acre estate, open all year round.
See Link for more details.

Bolton Castle & Priory are In Wensleydale North Yorkshire, Mary Queen of Scots was once imprisoned there, the castle has also been used in many film and TV productions including Ivanhoe and also Heartbeat.
For directions and other information on both the Castle and Priory see the Links box.

Skipton Castle in Yorkshire is over 900 years old and is one of the most complete Medieval castles in England.
Check it out on the link box for details and directions.

Chillingham Castle is in Northumberland In the North East of England, it is said to be the Most (Haunted) Castle in England.
It has a large walled garden and a large lake as well as the Famous herd of Wild White Cattle in the very large and extensive estate.