Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest: Abbey Park (Grade II)
Reference Number: G71/1954
Map Reference: SK5805
Date Registered: 5 March 1986
Late 19th Century public park, formed from water meadows, and extended in 1925 by the addition of the adjacent Abbey Grounds, ca.23 hectares.
Abbey Park lies on level ground, crossed from south-west to north-east by the river Soar. The south-eastern area is the original park, bounded to the north-east by Abbey Park Road, and by the Grand Union Canal to the south-east. Formerly the Abbey Meadows, acquired by Leicester Corporation in 1876. A competition for the design of the park was held in 1877, and won in 1879 by Barron and Sons of Derby.
The Park was opened to the public in 1882. The layout is 'natural', with curving paths among clumps of trees, round a central one hectare lake, with islands and irregular shoreline. A small branch of the lake with island is to the north, under the bridge. Main entrance from Abbey Park Road, between twin lodges (WEST and EAST). Greenhouse to north-west, and bowling green with pavilion. The north-eastern area of the park is mainly open, with a bandstand in surrounding lawns. The south-western area maintains curving paths, but has elaborate formal subdivisions, with bedding, centred on a refreshment pavilion (ca.1960 replacing 19th Century building) 50m south-west of the lake. Miniature railway and synthetic grass floodlit ball court, and car park on the recreation ground (St Margaret's Pasture) beyond.
The Park was extended in 1925 when the Abbey Grounds, site of Leicester Abbey, were added to the park. A footbridge across the River Soar connects the two sites. The northern area of the Abbey Grounds contains: (1) foundations of the medieval ABBEY, now exposed in lawn; (2) ruined remains of CAVENDISH HOUSE, built ca.1600, burnt 1645. The west, north and north-east boundaries of the Abbey Grounds are enclosed by ABBOT PENNY'S WALLS, ca.1500 with some 17th/18th Century additions. To the south of the ruins are the Oval, extending 300m southwards (lawn, used as a sports ground), and, beside the river, a scheme of formal, ornamental gardens to left and right of a refreshment and sports pavilion, aligned with the footbridge crossing to Abbey Park. Further south, beyond a screen of trees, a children's playground and paddling pool.
References:
Chadwick G F, The Park and the Town, 1966, 229.
Emery E J, The History of the Abbey Park, Leicester, 1982.
For further information, please contact our Conservation Team .
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