Great British Parks - A Concise History

Paul Rabbitts, Head of Parks, Heritage and Culture with Watford Borough Council, will provide a fascinating insight into the history of one of our greatest ever institutions - our great British public park. We have all enjoyed them at some time in our lives but what do we really know about them? their origins? did they really start in the Victorian period or do they go even further back?

This talk illustrates their origins, looks at the need for parks, the Victorian heyday, what makes a great park - with examples of lodges, lakes, bandstands, fountains, and floral displays.

He also examines their great decline in the sixties and seventies and the subsequent revival which has led to a major shift in interest in our parks and their importance - particularly evident during the pandemic.

After studying a BA Honours degree in Geography at Sheffield City Polytechnic,  Paul went on to qualify as a Landscape Architect and spent over 2 years in a small landscape architectural practice on the island of Jersey, before pursuing a varied career in parks, landscape and countryside, leading him to his current role.

Throughout his career he has maintained a passion for parks - and bandstands - and has written a number of books on both subjects.

Find out more on Paul’s website

Paul’s Facebook

This talk and all our lectures are FREE for Friends to access. Members of the public are welcome to join us for the live-streaming of the lecture for just £5. Please register, pay in our simple online check-out and you will receive details of the Zoom link to the lecture.