Jesmond Vale

Jesmond Vale is the southern extension of Jesmond Dene, that has a rich history with industrial archaeology, mature trees, and a variety of wildlife. It is a popular open space for recreation and for walkers.
The Ouseburn flows through it and eventually into the River Tyne. It is mostly administered by the city council ward of South Jesmond. The Ouse Burn flows from the north, through Jesmond Dene then underneath the historic Armstrong Bridge where it enters Jesmond Vale. It then flows in between some allotment gardens alongside the lower edges of Armstrong Park and Heaton Park, flowing over a weir at the white bridge near Greenwater Pool. It then flows under an old stone bridge near The Bluebell pub, and on through Ouseburn Park, past the Newcastle music resource centre. It goes under another stone bridge, then it enters a culvert in Ouseburn Park where Jesmond Vale ends and the Lower Ouseburn Valley starts.

History
Before the 19th century Jesmond Vale was primarily farming pasture land, but by 1846 had a population of 386 people. The village here had three pubs, a farm and a mill beside the Ousburn. There were extensive terraced housing, later perceived as slums. Much of the old village of Jesmond Vale was demolished in 1967 as part of the 'Jesmond Vale Redevelopment Area' scheme, with new accommodation built in the form of Vale House still the second tallest building in Newcastle upon Tyne.
The remains of the mill can still be seen and the Blue Bell public house is still there. During the First World War the Hoppings was held in Jesmond Vale, whilst the Town Moor was in use by the military.

Lost village
The old village of Jesmond Vale used to sit amongst fields in the bottom of the Ouseburn Valley, a tranquil haven away from the bustle of the city. The village had three pubs, a farm and a mill beside the river. The remains of the mill can still be seen, and the leat which fed it can be traced back to the mill dam at Greenwater Pool. Originally a corn mill, it was later adapted to grind flint for use as glaze in the pottery industry. Flint was brought into the Tyne as ballast on cargo ships and was then carted up to the mills on the Ouseburn.

Cradlewell bypass
In the 1990s an ambitious road project bypassed the Cradlewell area of Jesmond replacing the steep gradients of Benton Bank and joining Jesmond Road with the Coast Road. In order to build it several ancient trees were cut down at the northern end of Jesmond Vale. Environmentalist protesters were drawn from all over the country and they delayed construction by constructing tree houses and camping in the tree-tops.

Description courtesy of Wikipedia and Co-Curate.

November 2020