Herschel Park

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Coordinates: 51°30′06″N 0°35′36″W / 51.5018°N 0.5933°W / 51.5018; -0.5933
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Herschel Park
Map
TypeLocal Nature Reserve
LocationSlough, Berkshire
OS gridSU 977 790
Area4.2 hectares (10 acres)
Managed bySlough Borough Council

Herschel Park is a public park in Upton, a suburb of Slough in Berkshire. It is owned and managed by Slough Borough Council. It is in two adjacent areas. The larger area of 4.2-hectare (10-acre) in the north is a Local Nature Reserve.[1][2] The more formal area in the north is a Grade II listed park.[3]

Geography and site[edit]

The parkland has two lakes and ponds.[4] The larger lake features an island planted with mature trees.[5] The park also features a set of mature specimen and ornamental trees.[6]

History[edit]

The park has been in existence from at least 1843, when James Bedborough bought the land in the area and used it to build twenty-nine terraced houses and large villas that looked out over the park.[7] It is believed that Sir Joseph Paxton laid out the original park grounds.[7] The park when opened was called Upton Park.[8]

In 1949, the park was sold to Slough Borough Council.[9] In 1952 the council changed its name from Upton Park Pleasure Grounds to Herschel Park, after the astronomer Sir William Herschel.[10] In 1962–63, Slough Corporation purchased a further 10 acres from Eton College, which by 1982 had become part of Herschel Park.[10]

In 2000, the water in the lakes suddenly disappeared, and a group was set up called Friends of Herschel Park, who together with Slough Borough Council started to apply for funds to return the park to its original Victorian design.[11] In January 2009 the park was granted £2.7 million of council and lottery funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund.[9] In 2011 work was finished; the lakes were refilled with water, and the original paths were restored.[9]

In 2013, the site was declared as a local nature reserve by Slough Borough Council.[1]

Fauna[edit]

The site has the following fauna:[6][12][13]

Mammals[edit]

Invertebrates[edit]

Birds[edit]

Amphibians & reptiles[edit]

Flora[edit]

The site has the following flora:[6][12][13][14][15][16]

Trees[edit]

Plants[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Herschel Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Map of Herschel Park". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  3. ^ "Herschel Park (formerly Upton Park)". Historic England. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Herschel Park - Slough Borough Council". Slough.gov.uk. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Herschel Park". Parksandgardens.org. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. ^ a b c "THE HERSCHEL NATURAL HISTORY TRAIL GUIDE" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Herschel Park (formerly Upton Park)". Sloughhistoryonline.org.uk. 1 October 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  8. ^ Park lifeBy Linda Serck (13 November 2014). "Berkshire - Places - Park life". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. ^ a b c "BBC - Slough's Grade II listed park to return to former glory". BBC News. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. ^ a b "THE HERSCHEL PARK HISTORY TRAIL GUIDE" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Restoration of Herschel Park". Friendsofherschelpark.org. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. ^ a b "The Herschel Park Tree-mendous Tree Trail Map" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Herschel Park Natural History". Friendsofherschelpark.org. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  14. ^ "Herschel Park Arboretum - Postcards from Slough". Postcards-from-slough.co.uk. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  15. ^ "THE HERSCHEL PARK TREE TRAIL GUIDE" (PDF). Slough Borough Council. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Herschel Park - Postcards from Slough". Postcards-from-slough.co.uk. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.

51°30′06″N 0°35′36″W / 51.5018°N 0.5933°W / 51.5018; -0.5933

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