Wairds Park

The land was gifted to the Parish of Benholm and Johnshaven in 1923 by Miss Anna Scott of Brotherton Estates.

The Park Committee; a group of up to 15 volunteers from the local community; were charged with, among other things, promoting the well-being of the residents of the parish by providing a meeting place and facilities for recreation and to foster a community spirit. Since then, the park has enjoyed improvement and growth, and is now also widely acknowledged as a clean and modern camping and caravan site.

But it is far more than that. It is a fantastic facility for recreational activities, both indoor and outdoor. All of these facilities are offered for use to all members of the community and visiting groups alike.

Playpark

The Committee maintains a well appointed playing area suitable for children and adults of all ages. Swings and spinning toys are the most popular, and the fort provides a brilliant stage for re-enactments of great historical sieges or fairytale sagas.

Football

The hallowed turf is graced by Johnshaven Athletic during the amateur football season, and when they are not playing, the pitch is available for all manner of sport that requires fresh cut grass and no ceiling restrictions. Alan and Alison’s Primary School teams practice here, where new and exciting local football talent is unearthed and nurtured by the enthusiastic and dedicated coaching partnership.

Changing Rooms

Complementing the sporting field are the changing and showering facilities, with ample briefing space for the team talk.

Club Room

The magnificent pavilion with views across the park and out to sea is available for hire as a venue for all manner of activities. Whether it be a family function, group meeting or a special event, the room can cater for it. There’s a kitchen facility too, with ample space for food preparation and servery. 

Within the main building, there is also a shop and various items of informative literature.

Multi Function Courts

There are two courts, suitable for tennis, football, basket ball, net ball, badminton (with heavy shuttlecocks) and any other combination of raquet or soft ball game that does not involve horses or motor vehicles.

Putting Green

A full round of 18 holes is offered here, the ideal putting practice ground for the golfing enthusiast.

Bowling Green

This fascinating game of balance, weight and distance is a wonderful community sport. Spectators can watch from the grandstand, which until the 1950s was also used as a railway embankment.

Carpet Bowling

A lighter variation on the theme, this game can be played indoors.

Caravan and Campsite

There are 50 static sites accommodating privately owned caravans, and an additional 14 pitches for tourers and space for up to 15 tents. Facilities for the caravan and campsite include showers, toilets, laundry room, food preparation area and a disabled toilet. Many of the pitches include electric hook-up points making this park the ideal destination along the North East coast tourist trail.

Wairds Park is available for everyone to use, and the facilities can be prebooked if required. Simply call in at the shop to discuss your needs. Special rates for regular users are applied and season tickets can be acquired for the outdoor facilities.

For details on Wairds Park, call the Warden on 01561 362395, or write to The Secretary, Wairds Park Committee, Wairds Park, Beach Road, Johnshaven, DD10 0EP.