Inspired by ongoing efforts to record the urban flora of Newcastle and North Tyneside, I wanted to make some of what has been discovered so far accessible to those interested in exploring the city for themselves. Cue a new series! These blogs will explore some of the best botanical walks the conurbation has to offer – perfect for planning your next outing in the urban jungle. This week, we’ll take a trip to Walker Riverside.
This circular walk of 3.3 miles takes around 3 hours at the height of summer when most of the interesting plants are in bloom. Meandering through several diverse, if somewhat unsightly, urban habitats, it provides a fantastic introduction to the flora of Tyneside’s brownfield and former industrial plots.
Rather unceremoniously, the route begins on Glasshouse Street (occurs.tubes.goat) outside of the Newcastle Resource Recovery Centre or tip, to use more familiar terminology. Here, you may care to explore the closely-sheered verge for Field Madder (Sherardia arvensis), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris) and Small-flowered Crane’s-bill (Geranium pusilum) but otherwise, head East for approximately 100m along the Hadrian’s Wall path taking care to note the variety of naturalised alien shrubs present here. Several have gone on to run amuck since their introduction in decades past.
Here, you’ll note Franchet’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii), Late Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus), Diel’s Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dielsianus) and Darwin’s Barberry (Berberis darwinii), all of which are well at home along the scrubby bridleway. Before long, you’ll notice a well-trodden throughfare to your right, from which you will emerge intro a small car park on St. Lawrence Road. Seldom sprayed with herbicides, this carpark holds a notable mix of Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum), Viper’s-bugloss (Echium vulgare) and Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris). Of these, the former is notable as a relatively rare species within the city limits.
From here, cross the road to Dobson’s Crescent, following the road until you reach St. Peter’s Marina. About halfway down, you will notice yet another carpark dedicated in part to the storage of defunct boats. This unassuming patch of land is worthy of investigation as it is one of the few places you can note all three of the conurbation’s small-flowered fleabane species growing side-by-side. With ease, you should encounter Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis), Gurnsey Fleabane (Erigeron sumatrensis) and our native Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris), alongside Narrow-leaved Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens), Atlas Poppy (Papaver atlanticum) and several other colonists.
At the marina, hug the banks of the Tyne and head East, over a wooden bridge along Hadrian’s Way. Of note here are Squirreltail Fecue (Vulpia bromoides), Water Bent (Polypogon viridis) and Glabrous Whitlowgrass (Erophila glabrescens) in paved areas, often alongside Greater Quaking-grass (Briza maxima) and Rock Crane’s-bill (Geranium macrorrhizum) that frequently escape nearby gardens.
Passing the final house on Hadrian’s Way, you will arrive on a narrow riverside path with dense scrub to your left and riverbank and eventually, the Tyne, to your right. From this point, you’ll enjoy a slow walk of approximately 0.7 miles towards Walker Riverside Park. The scrub is an interesting mix of native colonists and established relics. Of the latter, four are hard to miss with Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica), Many-flowered Rose (Rosa multiflora) and Himalayan Clematis (Clematis montana) dominant over their respective areas. The fourth, Wilson’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida), is present throughout and is quickly becoming a pest. Somewhat harder to spot is the White-stemmed Bramble (Rubus cockburnianus) that persists in places.
Do not spend all your time gazing inland, however, as the tracksides and riverbanks along this stretch of the walk hold much of interest. Black Horehound (Ballota nigra), Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa subsp. sylvestris) and Perennial Wall-rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) are particularly prevalent along the path sides and amid the rubble strewn riverbank you’ll note plenty of naturalised Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) and coastal species such as Sea-aster (Tripolium pannonicum). But more on those seaside plants soon.
Two interesting plants that are much harder to see along this stretch are Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum), tucked away in the rubble heaps, and the hybrid horsetail, Equisetum x littorale, which can be found growing with Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) in select areas. Combing the riverside scrub should also produce Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) and much rarer, Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) while patches of Keeled Garlic (Allium carinatum) persist in places.
Hadrian’s Way will broaden when you reach the first of several parking bays frequented by local anglers – this marks the start of Walker Riverside Park, a sizeable area of restored brownfield managed by Urban Green Newcastle. The pavements at this point are delightfully messy and home to a great many interesting and, in some cases, rare ‘weeds’. Almost immediately, you will notice stands of Ribbed Melilot (Melilotus officinalis) and Tall Melilot (Melilotus altissimus), growing side-by-side for handy comparison; Hop Trefoil (Trifolium campestre), Great Lettuce (Lactuca virosa) and Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris).
Members of the dead-nettle family can be most diverse and in addition to the common species, one regularly finds Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum) and Henbit Dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule) growing amid the slabs. All of these can be noted as you continue Eastward along the Tyne; though do stop if you notice a blue flower atop the riverside wall. This will be Peached-leaved Bellflower (Campanula persicifolia) which has been established on-site for several years.
After around 100m (expect.stamp.plans) the path will narrow to such an extent to necessitate walking in single-file for a short distance. Along this stretch, the interesting weeds and alien shrubs continue with the addition of Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber), Willow-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius) and Himalayan Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii). The real treat here, however, is a glimpse of the saltmarsh flora that would once have been far more widespread along the Tyne. Casting your eyes down the tidal defences you will note a clear transition from Sea-plantain (Plantago maritima) and Buck’s-horn Plantain (Plantago coronopus) in the upper reaches to Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum) in the splash zone and eventually Common Saltmarsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima) and the samphire lookalike, Purple Glasswort (Salicornia ramosissima) in the exposed mud. You can inspect all of these plants again on the remnants of St. Anthony’s Landing Stage further downstream (factor.reach.mice) so do not feel obliged to slide down the bank. At the stage, now well overtaken by nature, keep your eyes peeled too for Annual Sea-blite (Suaeda maritima), Hybrid Couch (Elymus x laxus) and Spear-leaved Orache (Atriplex prostrata).
After exploring the relic saltmarsh, continue Hadrian’s Way via a short flight of steps lined to each side by dense shrubbery, and plenty of established Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum lanata). Doing so, you’ll eventually emerge into an open area marked by bountiful grassland to left and again, the Tyne to your right. This is the site of the former St. Anthony’s Lead Works and is perhaps the most interesting portion of the walk.
The grassland, scrub and riverbanks here sit atop the former St. Anthony’s Quay are especially floriferous, though the origin of many species is uncertain. A seed mix was undoubtedly applied many years ago, and has introduced several curiosities, but ballast and natural colonisation may also have played a part. With ease, you will note copious Common Restharrow (Ononis repens), Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), Musk-mallow (Malva moschata), Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) and Chalk Knapweed (Centaurea debeauxii), all of which likely stem from strewn seed. With care, you should also pick out Lucerne (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa), Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa), and Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) while Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare) is increasingly common and Large-flowered Evening Primrose (Oenothera glazioviana) is a more recent colonist.
While it is possible to spend the entirely of your time along this stretch admiring the grassland, don’t – a look towards the river will not disappoint. The post-industrial banks here hold much of note including Hoary Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), Traveller’s-joy (Clematis vitalba), Blue Fleabane (Erigeron acris), White Stonecrop (Sedum album) and Spreading Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster divaricatus). Perhaps most notable of all are healthy colonies of Flattened Meadow-grass (Poa compressa) which favours cracks and crevices in the stonework, and discrete patches of Keeled Garlic (Allium carinatum), presumably washed downstream from larger populations in Northumberland.
A final note here again centres on trees and shrubs and several of the species introduced in decades past have since gone on to seed or spread abundantly. Look out for Grey Alder (Alnus incana), False-acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa).
At this point, and you will begin the return leg of the trip. Doubling back along Hadrian’s Way you will notice a mud path (successes.shades.pretty) linking the riverside to an unexplored area up hill. Follow this and after around 40m, you will emerge into a clearing. This will instantaneously strike you as a demolition site and indeed it is with this small area of rubble and concrete representing all that remains of the lead works. This is another highlight of the walk and holds many plants that are altogether rare in the wider conurbation. Some such as Small Scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) and Field Scabious (Knautia arvensis) may have spread from nearby seeded areas, but others are trickier to explain. On a good day in summer, you should observe the bell-shaped blooms of Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata), spreading patches of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), Quaking-grass (Briza media), Des Etang’s St. John’s-wort (Hypericum x desetangsii) and a healthy population of Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata). Wild Thyme (Thymus drucei) has also colonised areas of exposed stone and Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) is dominant across the whole area – a rare sight in these parts.
From this area, head West, passed some bollards intended to deter fly-tippers and out on to Pottery Bank. Attention should be paid to the small area of now rather rank grassland (yarn.hung.gladiators) immediately adjacent to the road which in past years has held both Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) and Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis). A little uphill, you will rejoin the Hadrian’s Wall Path which you will follow for roughly 1.5 miles back to St. Peter’s. Travelling back on this higher plane, you will find yourself surrounded by planted amenity woodland. While the canopy is uninspiring, the shrub layer is rather eclectic.
In addition to several of the cotoneasters mentioned previously, look out for Chinese Bramble (Rubus tricolor), Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae), Box-leaved Honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata) and rampant Chenault’s Coralberry (Symphoricarpos x chenaultii). In places, ground cover is dominated by another introduction, Atlantic Ivy (Hedera hibernica) – though at least this is native – and do take heed of the small electricity substation (device.files.lifted). Here, you will encounter Newcastle’s only established population of Balkan Spurge (Euphorbia oblongata). Eventually, you will emerge by the tip where you began your journey.
Other interesting plants to look for along the way…
Fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum), Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Swedish Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster x suecicus), Borrer’s Male-fern (Dryopteris borreri), Sheep’s-fescue (Festuca ovina), Meadow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pratense), Slender St. John’s-wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), Hoary Ragwort (Jacobaea erucifolia), Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba subsp. sanguisorba), Horse-radish (Armoracia rusticana), Green Field-speedwell (Veronica agrestis) and Hybrid Alder (Alnus x hybrida).