Brandling and Exhibition Parks are situated in the two different wards of South Jesmond and Wingrove separated only by the A1 which has a lit public underpass giving access from one park to the other. They are both formal Parks with attractive gardens.

Brandling Park the smaller of the two parks is situated to the east of the A1 with Clayton Road being to the north boundary of the park.

Facilities in the Park

Bowling Greens

There is one Bowling Green with ladies and men’s clubs. The green is open to the general public.

General Information

Local Facilities

Nearest public telephone: Brandling Park

Nearest shops: The nearby Brandling Village

Other Information

The park has many park seats mostly surrounding the Bowling Green. There is one public notice board and a grassed picnic area. The main paths and underpass to Exhibition Park are lit.

Transport and Parking

The nearest bus stops are a short walk from the park, situated on the Great North Road to the west of the park.

The nearest metro stations are Haymarket and Monument

Parking

There is metered public parking at Claremont Road and Newcastle City Centre.

For more information please contact Amanda Watson on 0191 2116214 or e-mail amanda.watson@newcastle.gov.uk

General History

Like many City parks, Brandling was recovered from the Town Moor, "redeemed from very unpromising surroundings and its present condition reflects the highest credit on the public-spirited action of the corporation". The Park was completed in 1878.

The Brandling family (after whom the park was named) played a leading role in Newcastle life for 450 years. They acted as mayors, businessmen, M.P’s, landowners and mine owners. It was the disastrous explosion at the Brandling’s Felling Colliery in 1812 that led to the invention of the miner’s safety lamp. Most of the family were fine, upstanding citizens, while some were sharp businessmen or worse – one 16th century Brandling was excommunicated charged with adultery, assault and other offences, fined £ 3,000 plus costs and sentenced to prison. Somehow he never had to pay the fine and neither did he go to prison. The family knew how to survive and prosper.