The Friends of Hurst Grange Park

Within a mile of Preston City Centre, occupyin the southern escarpment above the River Ribble, Penwortham's Hurst Grange Park is quite simply unique.

The formal landscaped park of rolling hills, valleys and woodland created in Victorian times around a long gone mansion, leads to a wonderful country park which is nationally recognised as a Biological Heritage Site, truly a hidden jewel. Ancient meadows studded with rare and beautiful wild flowers in their season, buzzing with wildlife, and studded with ponds, provide an ever changing panorama throughout the year. These age old meadows are rare indeed today and rank amongst the best in the country. In June, pink spires of the not so Common Spotted Orchid pierce the meadow in their thousands, accompanied by Yellow Rattle and Ox Eye Daisies, it only lasts ten days or so, but what a show it is !

The five ponds are home to the rare and endangered Great Crested Newt, and many species of Damsel and Dragonflys, including the Emporer, 4 Spotted Chaser and a large Red Damselfly was spotted emerging this month, Moths abound.

The wooland and meadows are alive with bird life, with woodpeckers, owls, jays amongst many other species, and there are also several types of bats.

The formal park area has much to offer, icluding an excellent play area, and in spring the banks are smothered in wild daffodils. Recent planting by the Friends in this area has included the establishment of a bog garden and augmentation of the existing wild flower stock.

Hurst Grange Park Location OS SD 524 278

In the heart of Penwortham the park is bounded by Cop Lane, Hill Road and the Penwortham By-pass. By car from Preston City Centre take the A59, Liverpool Road, cross the River Ribble, continue up Penwortham Hill and take the first turning on the left, Hill Road. Drive to the end, passing the Park Gate entrance on your right and you will see the car park on your left hand side. There are a number of pedestrian access points to the park, the main one being signposted on Cop Lane, on the left hand side from Liverpool Road, just Manor Lane which is on your right hand side. From lower Penwortham a footpath runs up Valley Road directly to the park

Facilities

There is an excellent childrens playground, football pitch and the park is a paradise for runners and walkers with it's pure clean air and wonderful vistas and is a much cheaper option than a gym

Future Events

Penwortham Gala, a hugely popular event is Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June 2010 with a packed programme of events to suit all ages, Further details are available from the Gala page on this site or by telephone 01772 750533 voted in the top twenty galas and fetes by The Times

Go to the Penwortham Gala Page here ...

Elizabeth Basquill, founding member of the Friends of Hurst Grange Park (FHGP) and author of A History of Hurst Grange Park, said: "It is quite an important piece of Preston history, but it is still very hidden away. One of the figures who lived in the house was the mayor of Preston, John Forshaw." An extract from the book's gives a clue as to why it is not so well known: "Its seven entrances were only signposted in the past two years." And, because of its history as a private estate and only relatively recent status as a park, much of it remains in its original form. Elizabeth said: "There are wild flower meadows with British native plants and in summer it is just a mass of orchids and wild flowers. There are five ponds that have been there for at least 200 years." The park is also home to the rare and endangered Great Crested Newt, plus bats, tawny owls and many different species of moth and butterflies.

Elizabeth Basquill outside the old stable block on Hurst Grange Park

A History of Hurst Grange Park was funded by Lottery Awards for All, with all proceeds going towards the restoration of the old coach house, which FHGP hope to turn into a visitor centre. The book is on sale at £3, at Penwortham Hill Post Offiice, Penwortham Library, the Town Council Office in Kingsfold, at the University of Central Lancashire, Longton Brickcroft, Bank Hall Visitor Centre, and by post from Elizabeth. Call 01772 751689 for details

There are only a few copies left of this most interesting book .. please hurry if you wish to obtain a copy

 

Contact:- FOHGP@penworthamtowncouncil.gov.uk