Herschel Park

Herschel Park is a public park in Upton, a suburb of Slough in Berkshire. It is owned and managed by Slough Borough Council. It is in two adjacent areas. The larger area of 4.2-hectare (10-acre) in the north is a Local Nature Reserve.[1][2] The more formal area in the north is a Grade II listed park.[3]

Herschel Park
TypeLocal Nature Reserve
LocationSlough, Berkshire
OS gridSU 977 790
Area4.2 hectares (10 acres)
Managed bySlough Borough Council

Geography and site

The parkland has two lakes and ponds.[4] The larger lake features an island planted with mature trees.[5] The park also features a set of mature specimen and ornamental trees.[6]

History

The park has been in existence from at least 1843, when James Bedborough bought the land in the area and used it to built twenty-nine terraced houses and large villas that looked out over the park.[7] It is believed that Sir Joseph Paxton laid out the original park grounds.[7] The park when opened was called Upton Park.[8]

In 1949 the park was sold to Slough Borough Council.[9] In 1952 the council changed its name from Upton Park Pleasure Grounds to Herschel Park, after the astronomer Sir William Herschel.[10] In 1962–63, Slough Corporation purchased a further 10 acres from Eton College, which by 1982 had become part of Herschel Park.[10]

In 2000 the water in the lakes suddenly disappeared, and a group was set up called Friends of Herschel Park, who together with Slough Borough Council started to apply for funds to return the park to its original Victorian design.[11] In January 2009 the park was granted £2.7 million of council and lottery funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund.[9] In 2011 work was finished; the lakes were refilled with water, and the original paths were restored.[9]

In 2013 the site was declared as a local nature reserve by Slough Borough Council.[1]

Fauna

The site has the following fauna:[6][12][13]

Mammals

Invertebrates

Birds

Amphibians & reptiles

Flora

The site has the following flora:[6][12][13][14][15][16]

Trees

Plants
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References
  1. "Herschel Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  2. "Map of Herschel Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. "Herschel Park (formerly Upton Park)". Historic England. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. "Herschel Park - Slough Borough Council". Slough.gov.uk. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  5. "Herschel Park". Parksandgardens.org. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. "THE HERSCHEL NATURAL HISTORY TRAIL GUIDE" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. "Herschel Park (formerly Upton Park)". Sloughhistoryonline.org.uk. 1 October 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  8. Park lifeBy Linda Serck (13 November 2014). "Berkshire - Places - Park life". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. "BBC - Slough's Grade II listed park to return to former glory". BBC News. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. "THE HERSCHEL PARK HISTORY TRAIL GUIDE" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  11. "Restoration of Herschel Park". Friendsofherschelpark.org. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. "The Herschel Park Tree-mendous Tree Trail Map" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  13. "Herschel Park Natural History". Friendsofherschelpark.org. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  14. "Herschel Park Arboretum - Postcards from Slough". Postcards-from-slough.co.uk. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  15. "THE HERSCHEL PARK TREE TRAIL GUIDE" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  16. "Herschel Park - Postcards from Slough". Postcards-from-slough.co.uk. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.

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