Hirst Park is located in the heart of the historic Northumberland town of Ashington. Explore the park and you will find loads of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The park features a play park, splash park, a woodland, relaxing gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts, community pavilion and lovely areas of greenery. A £2.7 million National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund grant has now started, restoring Hirst Park to its former glory. This grant, also supported by Ashington Town Council and Ashington Leisure Partnership, will see a brand new play area and restoration work on the green houses and park buildings. The park is open between 8:30am and dusk, seven days a week. Public toilets are available in the bowling pavilion which is open when the park keeper is on site.
The nearest additional public toilets are approximately 300m west of the park. Hirst Park Memories Do you want to learn more about the history of the park and share your own memories? Click here to visit Hirst Park Memories website. Hirst park also has events for people to attend. If you want to find out about community events being held in Hirst park click here. Drone use Launching drones from County Council land is only allowed with the consent of the Council and where a formal license agreement has been signed. The council reserves the right to refuse consent and where consent is granted will require evidence of your Civil Aviation Training Certificate and public liability insurance.
If you explore the fun features at Hirst Park in Ashington you will find a play park, water splash park, multi-use games area, tennis courts, bowling greens, gardens to relax in and a community allotment.
Originally opened in 1915, Hirst Park was developed by the former Ashington Urban District Council as a 'green oasis' in a rapidly expanding coal mining neighbourhood. Since then it has been lovingly used by generations of local people enjoying its green open spaces, flower beds and recreational facilities such as tennis courts, bowling greens and children's play areas. The park is known locally as The Flower Park, in reference to the vibrant floral displays of days gone by,
Football legends Jackie Milburn and Jack and Bobby Charlton all played on Hirst Park’s football pitches. England football star Jack Charlton, OBE, was spotted playing at Hirst by scouts from Leeds United. He said: “The football pitches where we played were created on the ash tip from the colliery and these were our first training grounds – our very own Wembley. The park was a precious place where me and Bobby learned our craft, training and playing for fun, before going on to join Leeds and Manchester United and then playing in the world-cup winning England side in 1966. Hirst Park made it all possible for us and we would play all day if we could… and we often did.”
The nearest bus stops are located on Hawthorn Road and Ashington bus station is a five minute walk. Car parking is available at the park, accessible from Fourth Avenue.
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