Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest: Victoria Park (Grade II)
Reference Number: G91/1965
Map Reference: SK5903
Date Registered: 26 March 1986
A late 19th Century public park, considerably developed in the 20th Century, ca.35 hectares.
From the late 18th and most of 19th Century, the site of Victoria Park was a racecourse, and NEW WALK (also a Historic Park) was laid out in 1785 partly to provide access to the racecourse from the town. Victoria Park was laid out in 1883, extending south and south-west from London Road. It is sited on level ground, with wide expanses of grass crossed by mainly straight paths lined with trees. There are trees along the outer boundaries; also small play areas and ornamental shrubbery.
The principal monument is the WAR MEMORIAL, 1923, by Lutyens, mid-way down the south-west boundary, with a formal avenue - War Memorial Approach - and regular planting of massed bedding, shrubs and trees for 150 metres north-west to the GATES AND GATE PIERS, by Lutyens 1923, on to University Road. Related LODGES AND GATES, 1930 by Lutyens, 320 metres to the north-north-east of the War Memorial, at the northern extremity of Victoria Park.
The Park is now bounded to the south-west by Leicester University, whose science buildings, erected since 1957, directly south of War Memorial Approach, replaced five hectares of sports facilities (playing fields, tennis courts, bowling greens). Subsequent creation of a bowling green with restaurant and a sports pavilion in the northern area of park, south-east of the entrance lodges; other sports facilities in the southern area of the park. Tennis courts to north-west, between War Memorial and entrance lodges, and opposite the adjacent gardens of the DE MONTFORT HALL (1913), which is situated outside Victoria park, and north of War Memorial Approach, surrounded by formal floral bedding and shrub borders.
References:
Pevsner N, Williamson E, Brandwood G K, Leicestershire and Rutland, 1984, 261.
For further information, please contact our Conservation Team .
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