In 1835, Sir William George Armstrong (1st Baron Armstrong of Cragside) had Jesmond Dean (no longer in existence) built in preparation for his marriage. As his wealth increased he acquired chunks of the adjacent valley. By 1862, Armstrong had acquired most of the present Jesmond Dene, the land stretching from Jesmond Dene House in the North to Benton Bridge in the South. At this time he built the banqueting hall (now a controlled ruin) to cater for the increasing numbers of business clients he was entertaining. Armstrong enclosed the land and transformed the semi-industrial and wooded valley into his garden, including attractions such as a waterfall and a grotto, as well as planting many exotic species of trees and shrubs.
By the 1870s Armstrong was spending much of his time at Cragside, his home in Northumberland. In 1878, shortly after its opening Armstrong donated Armstrong Bridge to the townspeople of Newcastle. Two years later he donated Armstrong Park (the area south of Armstrong bridge to Heaton Park). In 1883, Armstrong presented 'Jesmond Dean' to the Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of Newcastle upon Tyne, as a Public Park to be maintained for all time as an oasis of natural beauty within an urban setting. The Prince and Princess of Wales officially opened Jesmond Dene to the public in 1884. Following the death of Lady Nobel at Jesmond Dene House in 1931, the Dene was extended northwards as far as Castle Farm Bridge. There was further extension in the 1970s when Newcastle City Council purchased land from Castle Farm Bridge to South Gosforth, at which time a pedestrian tunnel through the bridge was unblocked.
The (now closed to traffic) iron constructed Armstrong Bridge spans the Dene and is host to a crafts fair every Sunday morning. The building of a replacement road and tunnel, The Cradlewell By-pass, was the subject of a road protest camp, Earth Warriors At Jesmond Dene, around 1993, due to the destruction of many 200 year old trees.
In the heart of Jesmond Dene is the old Water Mill, one of many mills which bordered the Ouseburn in years past. Dating back to the 13th Century, the mill was occupied for three or four generations by the Freeman family who used it as a flour mill. Ownership then passed to a man called Pigg who ground spoiled grain into pollards, a kind of feed for pigs. The lease next transferred to a Mr Charlton who used the mill for grinding flint which was barrelled and carted to a pottery near the mouth of the Ouseburn, and the remains can still be seen of the cobbled path along which the flint was hauled; the ground flint was used in a process of putting a glaze on the finished pottery.
The watermill was an overshot mill late in its life span and the last waterwheel was removed in 1978 for rebuilding and eventual replacement. The mill was bought around 1860 by Lord Armstrong from a Dr Headlam and, although it was never used as a mill from the time of its purchase, it was still in use as a dwelling house until the 1920s.
Some of the description is taken from the excellent Friends Of Jesmond Dene.
2nd August 2024
The Waterfall.
Looking down from Paddy Freemans Park.
30th April 2024
Jesmond Old Mill/ Heaton Corn Mill/ Mable's Mill.
A water corn mill, belonging to the Ridley's exisited here by 1739. It was known as Mabel's/Maboll's Mill. It is shown as "Heaton corn mill" on the first edition Ordnance Survey map, and is now called Jesmond Old Mill. It was out of use by 1895.
The mill was worked by several generations of the Freeman family as a flour mill, subsequently used by a Mr Pigg to grind pig meal, then by a Mr Charlton for grinding flint for the Ouseburn pottery industry. Lord Armstrong bought the mill in 1860 from Dr Headlam and from then until the 1920s it was used only as a dwelling. The last waterwheel was removed in 1978 for rebuilding and replacement. The tail race ran directly into the head race of Deep Dene Mill; the head race can be followed through the bridge. The existing ruins date to the early 19th century, possibly incorporating part of an earlier mill. Only the shell of the mill, some gearing and foundations of an adjacent cottage, inhabited until at least 1911, survive.
Grade 2 Listed. Source: Sitelines.
The Waterfall.
Picnic Field.
Picnic Field Pavillion.
Largely rebuilt in the 1970s or 80s. Brick with cast iron columns. Looking a little worse for wear again.
Footbridge 100 Yards South of Waterfall.
Circa 1870. Sandstone. Ashlar segmental arch with snecked sandstone abutments; band surrounds arch. Irregular-block parapets to path with high raised centre. Grade 2 Listed.
Source: Historic England.
Footbridge North East of Banqueting Hall.
Circa 1870. Sandstone. Ashlar segmental arch with rusticated voussoirs; coursed, squared stone abutments; low, rock-faced parapets ending in low square piers. Grade 2 Listed.
Source: Historic England.
Red Walk.
Pets Graveyard at Colmans Field.
Looking very overgrown and run down since the new path was built near it a few years back.
Colmans Field, Damaged Bridge.
Sadly, yet another part of the dene fenced off and in need of repair.
Busy Cottages.
15th February 2023
Red Walk.
Jesmond Old Mill/ Heaton Corn Mill/ Mable's Mill.
Picnic Field Pavillion.
25th November 2021
Entrance at eastern end of Armstrong Bridge.
Colman's Field from Armstrong Bridge.
28th September 2021
Millfield House.
Millfield House is well-known to visitors to Jesmond Dene as it now serves as the visitor centre and rangers’ headquarters. In 1870 it was owned by a Newcastle banker, Robert G. Hoare, who commissioned the architect Frank W. Rich to build an extension on the west side and it is from this period that the name ‘Millfield House’ came into use.
The three storey brick house is built on an L plan with a slate roof. The account for the 1876 extension by Frank West Rich is in the Armstrong archive in Tyne and Wear Archives. Millfield House is unconnected with the industrial and commercial site of Busy Cottage (with the possible exception of some masonry ni the cellar). The building is of interest because of its quirky additions made by an architect known for showy structures, and as a well known landmark in the parkland of the Ouseburn Valley.
Source: Sitelines.
Pets Graveyard at Colmans Field.
Jesmond Old Mill/ Heaton Corn Mill/ Mable's Mill.
4th June 2021
Jesmond Dene House.
House, later used as school. 1822 by John Dobson for T.E. Headlam. Extensive additions and alterations - porch dated 1897 added by F.W. Rich for Sir Andrew Noble (one of Armstrong's partners). Originally known as Black Dene, it was renamed Jesmond Dene House in 1851.
Rock-faced sandstone with chiselled margins, ashlar dressings and plinth. Left range has upper-timber frame with infill of pebble-dash render. Tiled roofs with roll-moulded gable copings. Tudor style. 2 storeys and attics. Interior - typical late 19th century magnate's house, eclectic and rich. Special features - Frosterly marble fenders, William de Morgan tiles on sitting room fireplace, Great Hall with elaborate Jacobean panelling and carving to chimney piece, and small staircase alongside in huge alcove, multi-moulded beams and joists to roof with corbelled arch trusses and central bosses.
Sir Andrew Noble, one of Armstrong's partners and a ballistics expert acquired the house in 1871. The extensions added for Noble almost obliterate Dobson's house. The rear wing was added in 1870-1, the rooms at the front 1875 and the billiard room, by Norman Shaw in 1885. The porch by F.W. Rich was added in 1897. Many distinguished guests stayed here, such as Rudyard Kipling and Baden Powell. Subterranean network of tunnels for cold storage under the house, later utilised as air raid shelters when the house became the HQ for the Home Guard during WW2. Grade II Listed.
Source: Sitelines.
4th November 2020
The Waterfall.
Bridge at The Waterfall.
Open area near The Waterfall.
New sign outside Millfield House.
The Stepping Stones.
One of the smaller Waterfalls at the northern end of the Dene.
Bridge near Blackberry Crags.
Tunnel leading into Blackberry Crags.
Under Castle Farm Road.
The North end of Jesmond Dene.
Bridge near The Banqueting Hall.
Footpath just North of Pets Corner.
27th June 2018
The Old Mill.
Bridge at The Waterfall.
Picnic area near The Old Mill.
Footpath just North of Pets Corner.
Bridge near The Banqueting Hall.
Footbrige. Circa 1870. Sandstone. Ashlar segmental arch with rusticated voussoirs; coursed, squared stone abutments; low, rock-faced parapets ending in low square piers. Grade II Listed. Source: Sitelines.
27th September 2014
Jesmond Dene House.
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Picnic area near The Old Mill.
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Bridge near The Banqueting Hall.
24th October 2013
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Colmans Field.
23rd December 2012
23rd November 2012
The recent wet weather caused a landslide in Jesmond Dene blocking number of paths around the watermill on the eastern side of the Ouseburn River.
10th February 2012
The Waterfall.
26th January 2012
The Waterfall.
The Stepping Stones.
The North end of Jesmond Dene.
Bridge near Blackberry Crags.
21st January 2011
Colmans Field.
5th January 2011
Colmans Field.
30th November 2010
The Old Mill.
The Banqueting Hall on the left amongst the trees.
The Waterfall.
Picnic area near The Old Mill.
Two bridges together just south of the picnic area above.
Footpath just North of Pets Corner.
Bridge near The Banqueting Hall.
Looking south from Pets Corner with entrance to Colmans Field on the right.
30th October 2010
Colmans Field.
19th October 2010
Colmans Field.
18th October 2010
Colmans Field.
8th September 2010
Colmans Field.
6th August 2010
Colmans Field.
4th July 2010
Colmans Field.
20th April 2010
Colmans Field.
19th February 2010
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The Waterfall.
9th February 2010
Castle Farm Road Bridge.
Colmans Field.
Two bridges together just south of the picnic area.
Picnic area near The Old Mill.
Footpath near The Old Mill.
11th January 2010
The Old Mill.
Footpath near The Old Mill now closed due to a landslide in 2013.
The Waterfall.
The Stepping Stones.
Footpath near Blackberry Crags.
9th November 2009
One of the smaller Waterfalls at the northern end of the Dene.
14th May 2009
Entrance to The Fishermans Lodge restaurant.
25th March 2009
Colmans Field.
30th January 2009
Bridge near The Banqueting Hall.
4th March 2008
Colmans Field.
2nd December 2008
The Old Mill.
The Waterfall.
Footpath near Pets Corner.
The Banqueting Hall.
Footpath from Pets Corner to The Old Mill.
30th October 2008
Autumn colours in Jesmond Dene.
26th October 2008
Autumn colours in Jesmond Dene.
28th April 2008
Footpath just North of Pets Corner.
25th April 2008
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r.jpg "Jesmond Dene Mill")
The Old Mill.
1st April 2008
Bridge near The Banqueting Hall.
18th March 2008
Footpath just North of Pets Corner.
3rd March 2008
r.jpg "Jesmond Dene Mill")
r.jpg "Jesmond Dene Waterfall")
r.jpg "Jesmond Dene Waterfall")
r.jpg "Jesmond Dene Waterfall")
The Old Mill and waterfall area.
The Stepping Stones.
Footpath just North of Pets Corner.
The upper footpath through the Dene.
26th February 2008
Footpath leading up towards Paddy Freemans Park.
12th February 2008
Footpath leading up towards Paddy Freemans Park.
9th January 2008
Footpath leading up towards Paddy Freemans Park.
5th November 2007
The Stepping Stones.
Autumn colours in Jesmond Dene.
21st September 2007
Colmans Field.
2nd July 2007
Picnic area near The Old Mill.
30th May 2007
The Waterfall.
2nd May 2007
Colmans Field.
27th April 2007
Colmans Field.
6th March 2007
14th November 2006
30th September 2006
The Old Mill.
14th September 2006
The Old Mill.
28th May 2006
Pets Graveyard at Colmans Field.
24th May 2006
Picnic area near The Old Mill.
The Old Mill.
5th May 2006
The Old Mill.
23rd April 2006
7th April 2006
The Old Mill.
8th February 2006
21st January 2006
28th December 2005
14th December 2005
8th December 2005
Colmans Field.
30th November 2005
19th November 2005
25th October 2005
July 2009
A few photos of the Ouseburn river in full flow sent in by reader Richard Walker of Spital Tongues.
Jesmond Dene Drone Footage.
More Information:
- Friends Of Jesmond Dene
- Wikipedia - Jesmond Dene
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene
- Urban Green Newcastle - Jesmond Dene
- Historic England - Jesmond Dene
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene House, Home Guard HQ
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Pillbox
- Sitelines - Deep Dene Mill/Eliot's High Mill
- Sitelines - Jesmond, Busy Cottage Corn Mill
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Busy Cottage Mill, mill race
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Busy Cottage Mill, mill pond
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Sluice gate behind Millfield House
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, footpaths
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, pond and waterfall
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, waterfall
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, seating areas
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, footbridge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, footbridge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, footbridge abutments
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, ford
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, cobbled footpath
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Giant's Footsteps Bridge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, footbridge to west of Jesmond Dene Mill
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, waterfall
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, glen
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Sluice gate on waterfall
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Retaining wall
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, North Lodge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, North Lodge Footbridge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir with sluice gate
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, sentry box?
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Blackberry Crag Footbridge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Blackberry Crag (quarry)
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Dene Bridge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, stone walls
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, stepping stones
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, stone walls
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, North West Lodge
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, grotto
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, Pavilion
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, water feature
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, boundary stones
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, boundary wall
- Sitelines - Jesmond, Jesmond Dean (Lord Armstrong's house)
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, water feature
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, gate piers
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, stone river wall
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir and sluice gate
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir and sluice gate
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir and sluice gate
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir
- Sitelines - Jesmond Dene, weir
See my other photos around Jesmond Dene:
canny photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm very much an amateur photographer but it's hard to take a bad photo of Jesmond Dene as it's so beautiful. keep checking back for more updates as I keep adding photod to all the pages as I take them.
ReplyDeleteFond memories of the place where time stood still....Carol
ReplyDelete