Less than one miles walk form the vibrant resort of
Southport lies Hesketh Park.
This 12 hectare
Victorian Park lies within a semi-residential area, with ample on
street parking. Designed by Kemp, with influences by Paxton (two of
the most significant park designers of their day), the park boasts
a myriad of unique built and natural features and is a
horticultural treasure trove just waiting to be discovered.
Structures include: Grade 2 listed
observatory and conservatory, gate lodges, glass houses, shelters,
aviary and rock features. The sand hill origins of the park are
echoed in the rolling topography, which frames the lake and
cascades. The arboretum-like diversity of trees
not only adds interest but, prior to the works, masked five lost
gardens.
These gardens, along with an ornate fountain and
fern-encrusted stone arch 'rootery', are hoped to be restored and
reconstructed, to bring the park back to its former glory.
The Park is currently undergoing £3
million of improvement works, funded from a variety of sources
including the Heritage Lottery Fund. For more
details of these improvements contact the Landscape
Development team.
Other facilities include public
toilets, healthy walks trails, and mini golf and a
café.
And discover: The American Garden; The Clock Garden; The
Specimen Garden;The Herbaceous Walk; And the Mixed Flower
Garden.