Paddy Freeman’s Park is situated to the north east of Newcastle City Centre in the Dene ward and is a very popular park.

Facilities in the Park

Click here for accessibility information about Paddy Freeman's Park from DisabledGo.

Bowling Greens

There is a Bowling Green and pavilion with an active membership of men and women. The green is open to the general public.

All Weather Sports

There are two tennis courts available for free public use.

Playground

A fenced playground with safety surfaces. Equipment consists of swings, slides, Climbing units, spring toys and seating (note all equipment is checked regularly and is inspected annually by an independent expert)

There is a model boat club based in the park which was established in the early 20th century.

There is a café in the park open to the public for refreshments during the spring and summer months.

There is park seating throughout the park and picnic tables situated on small grassed areas by the lake.

There is a designated football pitch used for local league football.

The Park has a group of local people (known as friends of Paddy Freeman’s Park and Castle Farm Playing Fields) who meet regularly to discuss maintenance, events and future development of the park.

A Park Keeper is based in the park to maintain the park and to assist with general enquiries.

Transport and Parking

Buses

The nearest bus stops are on Freeman Road, adjacent to the park.

Metro

The nearest metro station is on Station Road, South Gosforth approximately 1.5km north west of the park.

Parking

There is on site free parking at both Paddy Freeman’s park and the nearby Castle Farm Playing Fields.

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General Information

Location

Freeman Road, High Heaton.

Local facilities

Nearest public toilets: Freeman Road outside the park entrance. Other toilets are available in the park café during café opening hours.

Nearest public telephone - Newton Road. 

For further information on the Park please contact Amanda Watson on 0191 2773538 or email amanda.watson@newcastle.gov.uk

General History

Patrick (Paddy) Freeman and family arrived form Gateshead (Windmills hills) around 1795 to farm and mill in High Heaton but shortly after 1862, following Sir William Armstrong’s enclosure of Jesmond Dene, they moved away.

After 1883, northeast lodge was built to house Dene employees at a time when only fields existed beyond the gates to the park. Newton Road (named after Sir Henry Newton) had recently opened to allow access to Gosforth colliery from Heaton. In 1928 that part of the road along side of the park was renamed Freeman Road.

Paddy Freeman’s lake originated as a duck pond which was attached to their High Heaton farm, situated to the south of the park. The pond was enlarged to its present size and made user- friendly in 1890. There was an island in the lake but this was later removed.

The Paddy Freeman’s farm building were demolished between the wars as a prelude to surrounding residential development and for many years High Heaton Tennis club occupied the site, until the Anscomb Gardens site (off Jesmond Park West) was built in the1960s.

Paddy Freeman’s Park is situated to the north east of Newcastle City Centre in the Dene ward and is a very popular park.