Jesmond Dene, Newcastle

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    • Date:
    • Registration opens: 10:30 am closes: 12:00 pm
    • Starts from: 11:00 am

    Updated: 6/3/25 Map scale (Orange) amended

    Jesmond Dene is the jewel in the crown of Newcastle’s parks and green spaces. It was given to the City by William Armstrong – a local engineer, industrialist and philanthropist – who had transformed the dene into his private garden, through the creation of waterfalls, a grotto and the planting of many exotic trees and shrubs. The course extends into Armstrong and Heaton Parks. Longer courses will visit the remains of the 15th century St Mary’s Chapel and 13th century Heaton Flint Mill.

    Travel: from Newcastle City Centre towards Gosforth along the B1318. Turn right at Blue House roundabout and follow road (Jesmond Dene Road leading onto Matthew Bank) to Haddricks Mill. Bear right and then turn right at new roundabout (20 metres from first) up Freeman Road. Cross over roundabout – car park is a further 200 metres on the right.
    Other approaches: A189 from Spine Road to Haddricks Mill double roundabout, B1318 southbound from A1 to Blue House, A191 from Coast to Haddricks Mill and then as above. Google Maps
    Bus: Stagecoach services 6, 7, annd 37/38 go to the Freeman Hospital.
    Metro: Longbenton Metro station is 1km from Castle Farm Car Park.
    Bicycle: Several cycle routes close to the event, including Coxlodge Waggonway (300m); Route 4 (1km), Coast Road cycle route (1km). There is cycle parking at Paddy Freeman’s Cafe (300m).

    Parking: Castle Farm Car Park, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne (opposite Freeman Hospital not on Castle Farm Rd) ///hush.blows.cave
    Limited pay and display parking at (to maximum of three hours) £1.20 an hour by card or pay by phone only. There is limited free off-street parking on the opposite side of the road (most restrictions are Monday to Friday but please check)..

    Entries: For all courses pre entry is open at SiEntries. Entries close at midnight on Sunday 9th March.
    Seniors (21+) £7 Juniors (20-) £2. Dibber loan available.
    Limited entry on the day for White, Yellow and Orange courses only subject to map availability.
    Starts: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Courses close 2:30 p.m.

    Terrain notes: The river Ouseburn flows through the area. It must be crossed only using bridges.
    The area includes some steep crags (no climbing or descending required). Courses have been planned with these factors in mind. Jesmond Dene has an extensive path network and many paths are surfaced with stairways on the steeper slopes (all courses apart from White will encounter stairways). Paths and stairways can be slippery when wet, so please wear appropriate footwear. On the Brown Course a tunnel with low headroom is a route option beneath a road at the North end of the map. Take care!
    The Brown course has one control with the “special object” control description symbol – O which in this case indicates a manhole cover.
    Participants should wear full leg cover because of brambles and in accordance with British Orienteering rules.

    Courses
    subject to final controlling    		Distance (km.)
    Optimum route)    		Climb (m.)Map
    Brown 8.92251:10000
    Blue6.81951:10000
    Green4.31551:7500
    Short Green3.2 801:7500
    Light Green4.01051:7500
    Orange3.0 851:5000
    Yellow2.3 501:5000
    White1.6 101:5000
    White, Yellow and Orange are suitable for under 16s. Other courses are only suitable for competitors aged 16 and over. White and Yellow stay fully within Jesmond Dene. Orange crosses a blocked off road with very light traffic. 

    Facilities: Urban Green Café with public toilets about 300m away.Urban Green have kindly allowed us to use Jesmond Dene free of charge (the photo above is taken from their website) – if you wish to make a donation please see link.

    Maps: Original survey Jeff Mason. Most recent updates 2022 (Tim Jenkins) and minor updates 2025 (George Hare) . Scales as in Course List.

    Officials: Organiser; Jeremy Smith, smitharchibold@icloud.com
    Planner: Martin Edney
    Controller: George Hare

    Safety: Please be considerate to other park users and be aware dogs may be present.
    Participants should wear full leg cover because of brambles and British Orienteering rules.
    See Terrain Notes above for other safety information.
    Orienteering is an adventure sport. A comprehensive risk assessment for the event will be prepared and identified risks mitigated. However, please be aware that participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.

    Please upload your route to RouteGadget.
    Guidance available: “How to upload a route”

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