Brandon Country Park
| Brandon Country Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Type | Country Park |
| Location | Brandon, Suffolk, England |
| Coordinates | 52°26′10″N 0°37′20″E / 52.4360°N 0.6223°E |
| Visitors | 175,000 annually |
| Open | All year |
| Website | http://www.brandoncountrypark.org.uk/ |
Brandon Country Park is a country park in Brandon, Suffolk, England.[1][2][3][4]
History[edit]
In 1820 Edward Bliss bought Brandon Park house and grounds using wealth he generated from selling gun flint during the Napoleonic Wars.[5] He built a walled garden and an arboretum with exotic species including Blue Atlas Cedar, Monkey Puzzle Trees and Giant Redwoods. In the grounds he built a Gothic mausoleum using knapped flint and surrounded by Irish Yew trees. Both Bliss and his wife were laid to rest in the mausoleum but were later moved to Brandon Cemetery.[5] When the gun flint industry began to decline Bliss had his work force plant over 1 million trees, in the process creating Thetford Forest.[6]
Landmarks[edit]
Brandon Park house is Grade II listed with Historic England[7] and is a privately owned nursing home.[8]
Facilities[edit]
The facilities include a cafe, walking, cycling, forest trails and walled garden.[9] Brandon Country Park Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning, the course is through woodland and on mixed trails.[10] In 2018 there were 175,000 visitors.[11]
References[edit]
- ^ "Suffolk dog walks: A group outing in Brandon Country Park". 26 June 2018.
- ^ murphy, rebecca (9 August 2017). "Historic engine house at Brandon Country Park officially opened after restoration works".
- ^ "Easy Access Trail - Brandon Country Park - Red".
- ^ "County council set to save £50,000 in costs after park sale". 13 December 2017.
- ^ a b "History". www.brandoncountrypark.org.uk.
- ^ "History". www.brandoncountrypark.org.uk.
- ^ England, Historic. "Brandon Park House, Brandon - 1277772 - Historic England". historicengland.org.uk.
- ^ "Brandon Park - Stow Healthcare".
- ^ "Welcome". www.brandoncountrypark.org.uk.
- ^ "Course - Brandon Country Park parkrun". www.parkrun.org.uk.
- ^ murphy, rebecca (15 February 2018). "Major country park sold for just £1 to new owner".