Benwell Nature Park

Address and contact details

Benwell Nature Park
Atkinson Road
Benwell
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XT

Phone 0191 273 2983
Fax 0191 272 7084
E-mail benwell.naturepark@newcastle.gov.uk

Click here for accessibility information about Benwell Nature Park from DisabledGo.

Benwell Nature Park is a 5-acre Local Nature Reserve in the heart of Benwell. It is not a typical urban park but rather an area managed to provide the people of Newcastle with the chance to experience and enjoy a ‘wilder’ environment. Many natural habitats have been established: a pond and marsh, meadows and hedgerows, woodlands and stone outcrops, each with its own variety of plants and animals. A picnic area near the pond and a herb garden close to the Park Building have also been created.

The park came into being in 1982, following the demolition of two streets, Joan and Helen Street, and half of Atkinson Road. These were originally built to house the workforce of the Armstrong Vickers munitions factory and other factories on Scotswood Road. All that remains visible of these streets now is a length of cobbled back lane at the southwest corner of the park.

Its creation has been largely due to involvement of the local community, volunteers and the city’s schoolchildren. The park has won many awards and accolades over the years including the Green Flag and from Northumbria in Bloom.

Accessibility

The paths in Benwell Nature Park vary from flat to steep sloping and are either grass or surfaced with wood chippings. Access to the park’s pond is via boardwalks. Wheelchair users and those who have mobility problems may find some of the paths and the boardwalks difficult to use.

There is a single disabled parking bay in the small car park.

Please note that an adult must accompany children under the age of 8 years visiting the park.

Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is accessible to people with mobility impairment including those who are wheelchair users. There are toilet facilities, including a disabled toilet. The car park and area around the visitor centre are gently sloping and surfaced with tarmac or concrete flags.