We have recently acquired this postcard of Garendon Hall, Loughborough, which is an interesting addition to our collection. Some years ago, Research Group members had a private visit to Gardendon Park: in fact, the image on the main Research page shows four of the group walking down the avenue away from the Temple of Venus, apparently herding sheep!
Our Research Publications page contains a report which is taken from the Parks and Gardens UK website and is based on the National Heritage List for England – Register of Parks and Gardens. The Park comprises the remains of an 18th century Arcadian landscape park, created on the site of a Cistercian Abbey founded in 1133 and contains several early 18th century structures including a Triumphal Arch, an Obelisk and the Temple of Venus.
The Hall was demolished in 1964 and much of the stone was used as hardcore for the construction of the nearby M1 motorway. Approval has now been received for the construction of 3,200 new homes, 16 hectares of land for employment use, a new local centre with shops and community facilities, two new primary schools and open spaces on land adjacent to the core of historic park. It is proposed that the historic structures will be restored and that, whilst there will be public access via a series of approved footpaths and cycleways, the heritage assets will be protected. More information and plans are available on the Charnwood website.
Sue Blaxland