Pets' Corner in Jesmond Dene Closes on Weekdays for Refurbishment

Families planning a weekday trip to see the animals in Jesmond Dene will need to wait until the weekend for a while. As reported by JesmondLocal, Pets' Corner is closed Monday to Friday for around ten weeks while Newcastle City Council carries out a refurbishment.

What Is Changing

Work began on 12 October. It covers essential maintenance and improvements to the animals' habitats, including the rabbit and guinea pig enclosures. While the work goes on, the animals have been safely moved into temporary enclosures.

The council is also creating a brand-new space for what it describes as an exciting new arrival next year, although it has not said what that will be. No firm completion date has been given for the project.

Opening Times During the Work

• Monday to Friday: closed
• Saturday and Sunday: open, with free entry

Mixed Reaction

The refurbishment comes soon after the opening of the new play area in the dene. Councillor Peter Allen said the improvements would "make it easier for children to see the animals in their new quarters".

Online reaction has been mixed, with the upgrade to the enclosures weighed against the loss of weekday visits for most of the autumn and early winter.

Pets' Corner has been part of Jesmond Dene since the 1960s and remains free to visit. For walks, history and the best routes through the valley, see our Jesmond Dene visitor guide. The volunteer Friends of Jesmond Dene organise conservation work, walks and talks in the dene throughout the year.