




Flagstaff Park



Flagstaff Park is situated near the Elizabethan Town Walls, The Barracks and Berwick Bowling Club on Magdalene Fields Golf Course.
A walk from the entrances at Pier Road, down from the Town Walls and from through the arch from the Barracks encompasses the history of the Elizabethan Walls, the beauty of the formal Rose Garden, the commemorative arches to her late majesty Queen Elizabeth and impressive views. There is also a formal play area operated by Berwick Town Council, the golf course, tennis courts and cricket match area. There are benches and a good fairly level footpath and plenty of green space to enjoy the rose garden and wildlife. A rose hedge with the 'Queen Elizabeth' roses was planted to commemorate her late majesty.
'In Your Neighbourhood' success - In 2024 the park achieved yet again the highest score of 5 classing the park as outstanding quoting a real hidden gem with spectacular views, through the hard work and dedication of NCC staff and volunteers.
A 'Royal' link - The park is also known locally as 'Coronation Park' and commemorative arches for the late Queen Elizabeth have been placed along the Rose Garden to commemorate the Golden, Platinum and life of her late majesty.
RHS Award - 2023 saw the first time the park was successful in achieving the Green Flag award, the first time it was entered, joining the 12 other parks in Northumberland that achieve this success. This is through the dedication of NCC staff, local councillors and volunteers o create a wonderful space for public to visit.
There is also a horticultural tribute created by children in the form of a giant EIIR 70 display planted in platinum coloured bulbs in the formal circle. A 'Queen Beth' avenue of apple and pear trees was planted by the 'mini police' leading from one of the commemorative arch to the play area in 2022.
History of Flagstaff
The meaning of the term Flagstaff is a flagpole or staff for displaying a flag. The park was once part of a ditch with the boundary of the Elizabethan walls on the west built between 1558 and 1570 and on the east the medieval fortifications commenced by Edward 1 in 1296. It is not entirely known why the area was called Flagstaff, tourist guides have suggested the existence of a flagstaff on top of Windmill Bastion an also Coxons Tower both nearby.
In 1930, the land was bought by the council from the Freeman, and by 1952 it would seem there was already a park in existence with the rose gardens being created to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. Aerial photographs from 1948 show rifle ranges built into the flankers either side of Windmill Bastion. The Rose Garden in Flagstaff Park was officially opened by the sheriff on June 2, 1953, and the park was described as an 'old park being made into a new one'.
