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{{Short description|Public park in Lancashire, England}} |
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{{otheruses|Miller Park (disambiguation)}} |
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{{EngvarB|date=June 2021}} |
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{{coord|53.751957|N|2.703996|W|display=title}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}} |
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{{Infobox park |
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| name = Miller Park |
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| photo = Miller Park, Preston.JPG |
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| photo_caption = |
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| photo_alt = |
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| map = United Kingdom Preston central |
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| map_caption = Location in Preston |
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| map_alt = |
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| label = Miller Park |
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| coords = {{coord|53.752|N|2.704|W|region:GB-LAN|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |
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| location = [[Preston, Lancashire]], England |
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| area = |
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| elevation = |
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| created = 1860s |
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| designer = |
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| etymology = |
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| operator = Preston City Council |
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| visitation_num = |
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| visitation_ref = |
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| status = |
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| awards = |
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| open = |
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| camp_sites = |
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| hiking_trails = |
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| other_info = |
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| website = {{URL|www.preston.gov.uk/yourservices/culture-parks-and-events/avenham-and-miller-parks/}} |
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}} |
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'''Miller Park''' is a public park under the management of Preston City Council. It is located on the banks of the [[River Ribble]] in [[Preston, Lancashire]], in the north west of England. The park is one of two city centre [[Victorian era]] parks, the other being the adjacent and larger [[Avenham Park]]. |
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==History== |
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The park was designed by [[Edward Milner]] as a 'Harmonious Whole' including the adjacent [[Avenham Park]]. This park is more formal than its neighbour and includes beautiful bedding displays, a Rose Garden and the regal Derby Walk, all of which are maintained by Preston City Council's Horticultural Services. It is overlooked by the East Cliff offices of [[Lancashire County Council]] which are spread between the former Park Hotel and the adjacent modern concrete office block which appears quite ugly by comparison. |
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| ⚫ | The park was designed and built in the 1860s and has matured over the last 140 years into one of the most attractive parks in the region. As an English Heritage [[Grade II* listed]] park,<ref>{{NHLE|num=1001450 |desc=Miller Park|accessdate= 4 October 2013}}</ref> it features a number of historical structures including a sundial, a [[grotto]] and a fountain. There is also an impressive statue of [[Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby|the 14th Earl of Derby]] who was British prime minister from 1866 to 1868.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/10089490@N06/2568951472/|title=Earl of Derby statue in Miller Park, Preston|access-date=18 January 2023}}</ref> The two parks are separated by the [[East Lancashire Railway 1844-1859|East Lancashire Railway]] embankment and access is through the Ivy Bridge and along Riverside Walk. The East Lancashire Railway line closed in the 1970s although the [[viaduct]] across the river, which is a Grade II [[listed building]], remains, as it carries a [[Rights of way in England and Wales#Footpaths|public footpath]] across the river. The west edge of the park is bounded by the embankment carrying Preston's main rail link, the [[West Coast Main Line]]. |
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The park was designed by [[Edward Milner]] as a 'Harmonious Whole' including the adjacent [[Avenham Park]]. This park is more formal than its neighbour and includes beautiful bedding displays, a Rose Garden and the regal Derby Walk, all of which are maintained by Preston City Council's Horticultural Services. It is overlooked by the [[Park Hotel, Preston|Park Hotel]], a Victorian former hotel used as offices by [[Lancashire County Council]] until 2016. A modern extension to the council offices, which also overlooked the park, was demolished in 2020 as part of works to convert the building back into a hotel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Partial demolition work begins on historic Preston hotel|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/business/partial-demolition-work-begins-historic-preston-hotel-2942966|access-date=8 September 2020|website=www.lep.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Work underway to transform Preston’s Park Hotel|url=https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2020/08/work-underway-to-transform-prestons-park-hotel/|access-date=8 September 2020|website=Blog Preston|language=en-en}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Apart from this office block, the appearance of the park has hardly changed since it was first laid out; the only other modern construction, a brick toilet block, was demolished in March 2006. A map |
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| ⚫ | Apart from this office block, the appearance of the park has hardly changed since it was first laid out; the only other modern construction, a brick toilet block, was demolished in March 2006. A map published in 1889 still provides an accurate representation of the park's layout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/oldmap/towns/preston/prest18m.gif|title=Old map|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929090121/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/oldmap/towns/preston/prest18m.gif|archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==The inauguration of the park== |
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Preston's [[Avenham Park]], [[Moor Park, Preston|Moor Park]] and Miller Park were inaugurated on the same day that the former Town Hall was opened in 1867. On 28 September 1867 the Preston Chronicle commented that the preparations were in place and that the expectation was that "…….we shall have a gayer, a busier, and a more bustling town than we have had on any previous occasion, excepting, perhaps, at some of our [[Preston, Lancashire#Guild Merchant|Guilds]]".<ref>The Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser, 28 September 1867, p.5, col. e</ref> The following week's edition for 5 October 1887 devoted several columns to "The Opening of the New Town Hall and Inauguration of the Parks". It was a civic event of considerable size and importance and when the opening ceremony for the town hall was concluded a procession was formed which made its way to Avenham and Miler Parks. Schoolchildren from across Preston had gathered in the parks and it was estimated that 23,000 to 25,000 were present. [[Prince George, Duke of Cambridge|The Duke of Cambridge]], cousin to Queen Victoria, was in attendance and the band of the Third Royal Lancashire Militia entertained the crowds.<ref>The Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser, 5 October 1867, p.6, col. c</ref> |
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== Proposed developments == |
== Proposed developments == |
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As part of a |
As part of a multimillion-pound [[Heritage Lottery Fund]]ed restoration project, both Avenham and Miller Park will see a facelift over the next few years. The refurbishment will include restoration of all of the historical features (including The Fountain, Derby Walk etc.), improved lighting and footpaths, vehicle controls and the new Pavilion in Avenham Park which has a cafe, new public toilets and incorporates a [[police]] post as well as being a base for dedicated Parks staff. The old stage, which was removed in early 2006, has been replaced by a small performance area and the facilities to install temporary concert stages like those used at music festivals throughout the country. These improvements help the park become cleaner, safer and provide more events and activities for the people of Preston. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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* [[Avenham Park]] |
* [[Avenham Park]] |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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* [http://www.avenhampark.org/ Official |
* [http://www.avenhampark.org/ Official website] |
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* [http://www.avenhamandmillerpark.org.uk/ Friends of Avenham and Miller Parks] |
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* [http://www.preston.gov.uk/Category.asp?cat=1633/ Preston City Council Parks Service] |
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{{City of Preston buildings}} |
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* [http://www.preston.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX9452-A7807FF9/ Preston City Council News Pages] |
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* [http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/oldmap/towns/preston/preston.htm Preston map from 1889] - Avenham Park appears on the middle map. |
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* [http://www.avenhampark.com/ A photographer's website about the Park] |
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* [http://www.riba.org/go/RIBA/News/Press_4402.html/ RIBA Press Release about HLF Project] |
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*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2006/02/23/nature_avenham_park_feature.shtml/ BBC News Pages] |
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[[Category:Parks and commons in Preston]] |
[[Category:Parks and commons in Preston]] |
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[[Category:Grade II* listed parks and gardens in Lancashire]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:17, 22 June 2024
| Miller Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Miller Park Location in Preston | |
| Location | Preston, Lancashire, England |
| Coordinates | 53°45′07″N 2°42′14″W / 53.752°N 2.704°W |
| Created | 1860s |
| Operated by | Preston City Council |
| Website | www |
Miller Park is a public park under the management of Preston City Council. It is located on the banks of the River Ribble in Preston, Lancashire, in the north west of England. The park is one of two city centre Victorian era parks, the other being the adjacent and larger Avenham Park.
History
[edit]The park was designed and built in the 1860s and has matured over the last 140 years into one of the most attractive parks in the region. As an English Heritage Grade II* listed park,[1] it features a number of historical structures including a sundial, a grotto and a fountain. There is also an impressive statue of the 14th Earl of Derby who was British prime minister from 1866 to 1868.[2] The two parks are separated by the East Lancashire Railway embankment and access is through the Ivy Bridge and along Riverside Walk. The East Lancashire Railway line closed in the 1970s although the viaduct across the river, which is a Grade II listed building, remains, as it carries a public footpath across the river. The west edge of the park is bounded by the embankment carrying Preston's main rail link, the West Coast Main Line.
The park was designed by Edward Milner as a 'Harmonious Whole' including the adjacent Avenham Park. This park is more formal than its neighbour and includes beautiful bedding displays, a Rose Garden and the regal Derby Walk, all of which are maintained by Preston City Council's Horticultural Services. It is overlooked by the Park Hotel, a Victorian former hotel used as offices by Lancashire County Council until 2016. A modern extension to the council offices, which also overlooked the park, was demolished in 2020 as part of works to convert the building back into a hotel.[3][4]
Apart from this office block, the appearance of the park has hardly changed since it was first laid out; the only other modern construction, a brick toilet block, was demolished in March 2006. A map published in 1889 still provides an accurate representation of the park's layout.[5]
The inauguration of the park
[edit]Preston's Avenham Park, Moor Park and Miller Park were inaugurated on the same day that the former Town Hall was opened in 1867. On 28 September 1867 the Preston Chronicle commented that the preparations were in place and that the expectation was that "…….we shall have a gayer, a busier, and a more bustling town than we have had on any previous occasion, excepting, perhaps, at some of our Guilds".[6] The following week's edition for 5 October 1887 devoted several columns to "The Opening of the New Town Hall and Inauguration of the Parks". It was a civic event of considerable size and importance and when the opening ceremony for the town hall was concluded a procession was formed which made its way to Avenham and Miler Parks. Schoolchildren from across Preston had gathered in the parks and it was estimated that 23,000 to 25,000 were present. The Duke of Cambridge, cousin to Queen Victoria, was in attendance and the band of the Third Royal Lancashire Militia entertained the crowds.[7]
Proposed developments
[edit]As part of a multimillion-pound Heritage Lottery Funded restoration project, both Avenham and Miller Park will see a facelift over the next few years. The refurbishment will include restoration of all of the historical features (including The Fountain, Derby Walk etc.), improved lighting and footpaths, vehicle controls and the new Pavilion in Avenham Park which has a cafe, new public toilets and incorporates a police post as well as being a base for dedicated Parks staff. The old stage, which was removed in early 2006, has been replaced by a small performance area and the facilities to install temporary concert stages like those used at music festivals throughout the country. These improvements help the park become cleaner, safer and provide more events and activities for the people of Preston.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Historic England. "Miller Park (1001450)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ^ "Earl of Derby statue in Miller Park, Preston". Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Partial demolition work begins on historic Preston hotel". www.lep.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Work underway to transform Preston's Park Hotel". Blog Preston. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Old map". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
- ^ The Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser, 28 September 1867, p.5, col. e
- ^ The Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser, 5 October 1867, p.6, col. c
