Queen Victoria reopens Herschel Park

23rd May 2011

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Herschel Park, will re-open to the public on Sunday 22 May.

Guest Queen Victoria will be there to mark the completion of a £2.7m project to restore the Victorian park to its former glory.

For the event the park will be filled with the sights and sounds of the Victorian era for all age groups:

re-enactment of a Victorian Army
fun fair, furry animal friends to see
fancy dress competition
flea circus
and much more

Entrance is free.

Queen Victoria, played by Sylvia Strange, and her lady in waiting, will be holding court throughout the day and sharing facts, fantasy and fun information on her life and Victorian times.

We have been able to do this restoration thanks to:

the £2.7million from the Heritage Lottery Fund
the support from the Friends of Herschel Park
more than 500 days of volunteering activities

The works included:

new perimeter fencing and grand stonework, metal and wooden gateways now protect the park and grace the main entrances to the Upton Park estate.
Victorian-style lamps light the park and the bridge over the lakes has been restored
the lakes have been lined and refilled
new paths constructed
hundreds of new trees and shrubs have been planted
some of the older trees – including a 150-year-old Lucombe Oak – are now lit from below to show off their grace
a new car park off Datchet Road has been created
a new visitor centre
a new hut for the park manager and volunteers

There will be no visitor car parking in the private roads of Upton Park and Upton Close.

For more information on Herschel Park, the opening, the activities and events or the history, contact Tony Down on 01753 875209.

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