About Blackhill and Consett Park

Refurbishment 

In 2002, the park underwent a substantial refurbishment, part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The re-launch was marked with a big community arts celebration culminating in a themed firework show to music. 

As part of the refurbishment, a schools poetry competition was organised, and the winning poem has been inscribed on a steel plate installed in the path around The Wishing Stone. 

Features

The park contains a number of interesting features, including a Victorian style bandstand, an outdoor theatre space, a traditional drinking fountain known as Little Edwards and The Wishing Stone where you can make a wish. 

Play area

For young children, there is a modern well-equipped play area located in the middle of the park.

The Lodge

In 2009 the former park keepers house was modernised and converted into a public facility to support the various activities and events.  It also provides a base for the Consett and District Heritage Initiative, a community history group who hold regular exhibitions, talks, maintain a huge digital archive of old photographs and other materials.

The Lodge is also fully accessible with a ramped access to the front entrance, and all public toilets located on the ground floor with level access throughout. 

Classroom 

The classroom can be used for meetings, training sessions, social events, small-scale performances and informal learning activities. 

Toilets

New toilets and a purpose-built education room were added, to provide facilities for schools, community groups and other park users. 

Community garden 

The community garden is located behind The Lodge and provides a space where individuals and groups can learn the basics of vegetable growing and other practical gardening skills, in a supportive environment. 

Cycle racks

The park is located on a spur of the national cycle path (NCN route 14) and is also close to other local cycle routes. We welcome cyclists and offer cycle racks for secure parking of bikes. A new cycle rack next to the lodge has space for nine bikes. Other racks are available at each entrance to the children's play area.

The Steel Trail 

The park contains a number of artworks, including The Steel Trail by Andrew McKeown, a commission as part of the refurbishment which celebrates the steel-making heritage of the town through a series of cast floor-plates set into the paths. 

Green Flag Award 

The park holds Green Flag Award status and is also accredited as a Green Heritage Site.  

Land of Oak and Iron

Other new developments have taken place as part of the Land of Oak and Iron Landscape Partnership, thanks to funds provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Derwent Valley Partnership. The Lodge now serves as one of three heritage and visitor information centres for the Land of Oak and Iron area. New exhibition boards and an information point have been added to the foyer, along with a digital display screen and an interactive touch screen describing the features and places of interest. 

Friends Of Blackhill and Consett Park

The Friends group is an independent voluntary body made up of representatives of park user organisations and other interested individuals. The friends support and promote use of the park by the community, raise funds to improve the facilities, and organise and assist with events. To join the Friends group or to find out more, please see a member of staff or Contact Blackhill and Consett Park.