The turf and concrete are being laid and play equipment is being set up… the opening of our new Coronation Park and Recreation Ground is right around the corner and it’s set to bring plenty of 50s fun.
The 1950s park will include a playground with traditional-style play equipment, including a sandpit, slide, swings, football area, giants draught board and miniature golf course and, later, a bowling green and pavilion.
The park is due to open on 27th May 2022 and is the next building to open as part of the Remaking Beamish project. It follows the opening of Spain’s Field Farm (which opened at the museum in March 2022).
The opening of Coronation Park, named in honour of The Queen, will be followed by a week of celebrations during the local half term (28th May to 5th June) to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There will be street parties, football fun, crown making, music and Coronation-themed window displays. Please click here for more information.
The 1950s was the heyday of amateur football, this story is represented in our football area. We’ve been working with Durham Amateur Football Trust to develop the football area in The 1950s Town and tell the story of football in the decade. Visitors will be able to find out more about the strength of grassroots football in the North East in the pitch-side changing hut.
Situated next to the welfare hall, Coronation Park will be the perfect outdoor space for the young and young at heart, and will meet all current health and safety standards.
Coronation Park is inspired by stories and images of recreation grounds and leisure facilities from around the North East in the 1950s – some grounds newly created alongside developing housing estates and others well established by the 1950s.
Our giant draughts board was inspired by an image of a giant draughts board in Chester-le-Street Riverside Park and sits alongside a mini golf course inspired by archive images of courses including one at Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
Group gathered for the official opening of the giant open air draughts board in Riverside Park at Chester-le-Street. Taken 5th May 1955.
Coronation Park and Recreation Ground is part of the Remaking Beamish project, which includes The 1950s Town, 1950s Spain’s Field Farm and expansion of the 1820s Landscape. Thanks to the money raised by National Lottery players, the project was awarded £10.9million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016.