Western Park

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Western Park is bounded by New Parks Way, Glenfield Road, Western Park Road, Hinckley Road and Park View. It is the largest park in Leicester. The main drive features a wide avenue of trees, which were planted for the inaugural opening in 1899. The park is a blend of meadow areas, mature woods and hedgerows, interspersed with established with established shrub and wooded areas, creating an ecological environment where wildlife abounds. Visitor facilities are all easily accessible from the main drive.

  • Brief History

    Leicester Corporation purchased land from the Trustees of Sir John Mellor, an important landowner, to create a park for the people of the West End of Leicester.

  • Visitor Facilities

    This is a municipal park, open daily for general public use.

  • Terrain

    70 metres above sea level at the main entrance, its lowest point, it undulates and rises gently to 90 metres, where it forms a substantial plateau.

  • Detailed Description

    Post cards from our postcard database:

  • Features

    Style

    Informal

    Building

    Description: The Eco House: this show house is situated within the park and demonstrates ways of creating a more environmentally-friendly home.

    Bandstand

    Description: Late Victorian bandstand

    Gate

    Description: Ornamental entrance gates to park. These replaced the original wooden gates.

    House (featured building)

    Description: Western Park Pavilion: Early 19th Century farmhouse. Stuccoed front. Slate hipped roof. Two storeys. Three windows. Restored sashes with gothic glazing bars. Centre first floor iron balcony with interesting pattern. Wide central doorway below, paneled double doors, rectangular fanlight with glazing bars. Brick at rear. In 1899, when the park opened, the farmhouse was converted to house Headley's Tea Rooms. In 2003, it was leased out by Leicester City Council and is now a private residence.
    Date: 1800-1819

  • Access & Directions

    The main entrance to Western Park is situated on the A47, Hinckley Road, approximately 3 miles west of Leicester City Centre Buses from the City Centre pass by the entrance gates.

  • Photos
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  • References

    "Opening of the New Western Park", (Leicester Chronicle and Mercury, 15/07/1899)Leicester Chronicle and Mercury

    Leicester City Council, {Western Park, Leicester}Western Park, Leicester

    Leciester City Council, {Management Plan for Western Park} (2003)Management Plan for Western Park

    Jordan, C., {Leicester Mercury: The Illustrated History of Leicester's Suburbs} (Derby: Breedon Books, 2003)Leicester Mercury: The Illustrated History of Leicester's Suburbs

    Contributors

    Sue Blaxland