Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

This 4.4km (2.7 mile) walk takes you around the lovely area of Jesmond and the beautiful Jesmond Dene valley. Jesmond is one of Newcastle’s oldest and finest suburbs, which has grown increasingly popular among foodies, socialites, students and young professionals over the years. The famous Jesmond Dene, located in the heart of Jesmond, is especially known for its outstanding beauty, and is a great spot to visit during the summer months for picnics and strolls through the luscious green scenery.

So just take your time, enjoy the beautiful buildings, stop for a coffee and cake, leisurely lunch or pint of ale in an old Newcastle pub!

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Route overview

Jesmond Dene

We start this walk at Ilford Road Metro station in Jesmond (Green Star on Map below). If you exit the station on Albury Rd then turn right to walk down to Moorfield. If you exit the station on Ilford Rd then turn left to walk down to Moorfield.

Part 1 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

This fashionable district is located just a few miles outside of the city centre and is home to some of the best bars and restaurants in the region, as well as a range of boutique shops and quaint cafes, along with conveniently located hotels hidden among the beautiful rows of Victorian terraced houses.

Turn left onto Moorfield and then left onto A189 Jesmond Dene Road. Follow this road around the corner to the left into Matthew Bank, then cross over using the central pedestrian island when safe to do so to the other side, turn right then left back into Jesmond Dene Road (Map Point 1).

Part 2 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

Nestled at the heart of the Dene you will find Jesmond Dene House, which was once home to industrial pioneer Lord Armstrong, making it a must-see when travelling around the North East.

Continue along Jesmond Dene Road past the entrance to Jesmond Dene House Hotel and take the pathway on your left leading into Jesmond Dene Valley (Map Point 2).

Follow this path round to the Jesmond Dene Falls and Old Mill.

Jesmond Dene Old Mill

Part 3 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

Continue to follow the main pathway (Red Walk) along the bottom of the Valley floor down to the Ouseburn Parks Visitor Centre, Millfield House and Pets Corner (Map Point 3).

For more information about the history of this valley, please visit the Friends of Jesmond Dene.

Part 4 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

Bridge in Jesmond Dene Valley

Pets Corner, in the heart of Jesmond Dene, is a popular, family-friendly visitor attraction. You’ll find animals of all shapes and sizes, including alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, goats and sheep alongside rabbits and colourful birds and much more!

Next door to the visitor centre is Millfield House café and toilets. Please note Pets Corner may be shut at short notice if the staff are called away to an emergency and please do not bring food for the animals, they are on specially designed diets!

Ouseburn Parks Visitor Centre next to Pets Corner

Part 5 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

After the Visitor Centre, take the path up the hillside on your left to exit onto the end of Armstrong Bridge (Map Point 4). Turn right to walk along the bridge.

Looking down into the Valley from Armstrong Bridge

The bridge footpath exits onto Benton Bank. Continue a very short distance along here then turn right into Jesmond Dene Road.

Part 6 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

Continue up Jesmond Dene Road for approx. 400 metres, passing Hartside Gardens, then Cavendish Road then Grosvenor Road on your left. Just as you continue past Grosvenor Avenue, look for the road on your left called The Grove (Map Point 5). Straight ahead here is a “hidden” footpath through the trees to Queens Terrace. However, there is some doubt as to whether this is a public right of way (one local resident has contacted Walk Run Cycle to claim this short section is NOT a public right of way, however, it is marked on many independent route planners as an official cycle route and it certainly connects two other marked cycle routes). As it does not appear on the official Newcastle public rights of way map, we would advise you use Grosvenor Avenue instead which runs parallel to The Grove. Continue to follow the Grove from Queen’s Terrace into the next section of The Grove until you eventually come out onto Osborne Road (Map Point 6).

Hidden pathways through Jesmond

Hidden pathways through Jesmond

Part 7 of the Jesmond Dene Nature and Shops Walk

Turn left onto Osborne Road (Map Point 6). At the pedestrian lights cross over to the other side when safe to do so then turn right into Acorn Road. You will find many shops, bars, cafes and restaurants in this area.

Beautiful historic housing in Jesmond

At the end of Acorn Terrace turn left into St George’s Terrace. Cross over the road when safe to do so and turn right into Thornleigh Road. Continue along here then turn left into Forsyth Road. Follow this road round to the right and over the railway to come to Brentwood Avenue (Map Point 7).

Brentwood Avenue

Turn right onto Brentwood Avenue passing the shops and cafes on your right. ​At the end of the shops continue along Brentwood Avenue until you reach West Jesmond Metro Station where this walk ends.

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Resources:

If you enjoyed this route, see our Jesmond Dene Valley Circular Walk

Remember to download our app 

Information from various sources including wikipedia.org and the official tourist guide at newcastlegateshead.com.

Map source files copyright openstreetmap.org.

Certain images and all route information are Copyright Walk Run Cycle Limited – you are free to use if you attribute and link them to “WalkRunCycle.com