Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest: New Walk (Grade II)Reference Number: G83/1961
Map Reference: SK5904
Date Registered: 26 March 1986
Late 18th Century urban public walk, extending for 1,100 metres, developed in the 19th Century with residences and some public buildings.
Originally known as Queen's Walk, New Walk was laid out in 1785 by Leicester Corporation as a pedestrian way (which it still is), connecting the town from the area of Welford Place with the racecourse (now
VICTORIA PARK, also a Historic Park) to the south-east, and overlooking the as yet undeveloped area of Southfields to the south. An Inclosure Award drawn up in 1804 and ratified in 1811 led to development of the South Fields area, which began with sale of plots at the north end of New Walk, adjacent to Welford Place, and the laying out of new streets to either side of New Walk.
The proviso was maintained, that houses should have no vehicular access from New Walk, and must be set back at least 10m from the footway. Residential buildings were at first put up along New Walk in a piecemeal manner, totalling 60 by 1847. Public buildings included the Roman Catholic Chapel, 1817-18, by Joseph Ireland; the Liberal Meeting Hall (1831); the Nonconformist Proprietary School (1836, by J A Hansom, to become NEW WALK MUSEUM 1849), and St Stephen's Church (1893, by R R G Fenning). The south-bound railway was cut through New Walk in 1840, passing underneath, as does Waterloo Way built 1960s, on the west side of the railway.
Three open spaces were attached to New Walk: Museum Square, to the west of the railway; and to the east, De Montfort Square (with a Statue of Robert Hall, 1870, by J Bimie Philip) and the Oval. More systematic building of houses took place in the 1850s and 1860s. Many properties were converted to office and business use in the 20th century.
In 1969 New Walk was designated a Conservation Area. Considerable repair and improvement to property since then, and replanting of trees along New Walk and its related squares.
References:A History of New Walk, s.d., leaflet produced by Leicester City Council.
Pevsner N, Williamson E, Brandwood G K, Leicestershire and Rutland, 1984, 205, 225, 235-237.
Potts G R, The Development of New Walk and the King Street Area, in Brown A E (ed), The Growth of Leicester, 1970.
For further information, please contact our Conservation Team .
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