Monks Rest Gardens

The Park is a mixture of formal gardens, sports facilities, play areas and mown grassland bordered with plantations of native trees.

 

 

 

The southern section of the park is mown grass land allowing informal sporting and recreation activities. This is surrounded by areas dedicated to nature conservation. There is a well established mixed hedge which is traditionally managed and  young mixed species plantations to encourage wildlife.

 

The central area of park provides a variety of sport and play facilities. There are two bowling greens, a hard surface ball court with five tennis courts and a basket ball court. There is also a dog free children's play area.

 

History
Humberstone Village lies on the route pilgrims took from Leicester to Launde Abbeys. Monks traveling on foot would stop in the area overnight, and the name Monks Rest is an echo from times past.

 

Monks Rest was adopted as a park by Leicester City Corporation in 1958. The northern part was originally the gardens of the vicarage of St Mary’s Church. The current formal nature of this area reflects its historic garden origins. To the south the park was created from ''Glebe Land'' which was land owned by the church. This land was rented to local people for farming, and it  is still possible to see some evidence of ridge and furrow cultivation.

 

These extend in terraces down from the site of the formal vicarage to the two bowling greens in the central area of the park. As a part of the vicarage they have been decoratively planted using native and exotic species. Of particular note are the magnificent Cedars and large mature Beech. The formal gardens provide an accessible, tranquil area for peaceful reflection.

 

There is a 40 space car park with spaces for blue badge holders,there are tarmac pathways through the park.

Park Users
The park has a user group, that meets regularly, discussing issues relating to the Park.