NEHL - The Forth, similar to Carliol Croft and Battle Field outside of the walls, was an area where medieval and early modern Newcastle partook in leisure activity and sports. As noted below a handball wall (or alley) and a bowling green were situated here, while it was also used for political activities - notably Chartists in the 1840s. The railway station before it was built was also referred to as the "new railway station at the Forth".

A hot air balloon exhibition took place here in 1784, with the event "attended by the greatest number of people ever assembled on any occasion here", and the "experiment fully answered their most sanguine expectation". The balloon ascended in a perpendicular direction with "amazing verocity". In less than 3 minutes it disappeared, leaving a glory of light over the cloud it entered. I have not been able to ascertain what happened to the balloon thereafter. There's also records of circuses here in the same decade.

"Bourne reports that out of the Close Gate, there is a way to the Forth, a place of pleasure and recreation. He suggests (although admits there is no evidence) that the Forth was formerly the site of a fort belonging to the castle. Mackenzie recalls that the Mayor, aldermen and sheriff of Newcastle went in procession from the town to the Forth every Easter and Whitsuntide, with all the burgesses, preceded by the mace, sword and cap of maintenance. Games of handball and dancing were enjoyed by the populace on the Forth thereafter. The Forth (or Frith in 1357 - means wood) lay outside the town walls abutting a lane called Goose Green Close on its south side. It included 11 acres of ground, surveyed by Order of Parliament in 1649. The town paid 4l to the King a year for it. In the reign of Henry III (1216-72) a licence was granted to the townspeople of Newcastle, to dig coals and stones on the Forth. These (or Castle Leases) may have been the earliest Newcastle coals. The Forth Walks (as shown on Hutton 1770) was a small part of The Forth, turned into a bowling green with a broad gravel walk and double row of trees around it. Bourne calls it "a mighty pretty place" with a "shady walk of trees" to the town wall to the east. To the west were views of Elswick village. Gray says that it was given to the townsmen of Newcastle by Edward III (1327-77). [conflicts with the earlier Henry III date]." - Sitelines https://sitelines.newcastle.gov.uk/SMR/6635