By bus: from New Bridge Street in Newcastle city centre, bus numbers 12, 12A and 12B will take you to Walker Road. From here you can walk into Walker Riverside Park via Church Street, Belmont Street, Pottery Bank or Malaya Drive. By car: From Walker Road, A186. If you are driving, there are car parks at the bottom of Belmont Street or Pottery Bank.
By bike: Cyclists can reach the park (via the streets named above) from Walker Road, or from Hadrian’s Way, which runs through the park from east to west.
Walker Riverside Park covers approximately 27 hectares of 
land and is situated on the banks of the River Tyne in Walker. The park was reclaimed in the 1980’s from its industrial past and now consists of wildflower meadows, woodlands, amenity grassland and stunning views of the River Tyne.
History
Walker was a good place for heavy industry, which needed large amounts of coal and bulky raw materials. Coal came from the local mines and bulky goods were transported on the Tyne. Unfortunately the pollution that resulted from these booming industries destroyed much of the natural vegetation of the river bank. At the start of the 20th century, the Tyneside chemical industry was in decline but the production of coal, ships, and engineering components rose until the end of the World War One. By the mid to late 20th Century many industries were struggling to stay in production; one by one the factories and workshops closed down.
The area that is now Walker Riverside Park used to be home to a tar works and a lead works.
Given its location and former use, it is easy to imagine that Walker Riverside Park has little to offer in the way of wildlife. However, it is a green oasis for a large variety of animals. The dense plantations are alive with the song of long tailed tits, bullfinches, blue tits, coal tits, great tits, blackbirds, mistle and song thrushes, sparrowhawks, pheasants, crows, rooks, jackdaws and goldfinches to name but a few. If you are quiet enough, you may also catch glimpses of foxes and rabbits. Taking a walk along the riverside path; you can regularly see wading birds, as well as nesting sea birds, like kittiwakes. In recent years there have been an increasing number of sightings of grey and common seals.
The Rangers always appreciate reports of wildlife sightings, so if you see anything drop them an email. walker.riversidepark@newcastle.gov.uk
Events and Activities
A variety of events are held by the Rangers and the Friends of Walker Riverside Park. For more information please contact the Rangers for more details. Alternatively call the Parks and Countryside office 0191 2783089 for a seasonal event leaflet, or visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/parks
Contact Details
Mobile Rangers
Heaton Park Depot
Jesmond Vale Lane
Heaton
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 5JS
Phone 0191 2656439
Email: walker.riversidepark@newcastle.gov.uk
Page last updated: 24 August, 2011
