Stanley Park is a consistent theme in many of our lives but do you know it’s history? Juliette Gregson takes you on a whistle stop tour of the past through locals’ favourite Blackpool landmark.
Blackpool, known for its vibrant seaside attractions, also boasts some charming parks that hold a special place in the hearts of many. The picturesque Stanley Park with its elegant gardens and serene lake, is the jewel in the crown. And it has a fascinating history.
As we reminisce about the laughter-filled picnics, exciting playground rides, and peaceful walks, we can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic joy. Whether you grew up visiting this parks with family, friends, or even on your own, the memories created here are lasting.
Imagine the sound of children’s laughter, the smell of freshly-cut grass, and the sight of colourful flowers in bloom – the original vision for Stanley Park remains relatively unchanged. It was created to include sports facilities, elegant gardens, a lake for boating, and a forested region. Built in the 1920s, Thomas Mawson oversaw its design and construction.
Between 1870 and 1900, Blackpool’s population experienced significant expansion, leading the local government to conclude that an outdoor entertainment venue was necessary to attract people of all ages and social backgrounds. The actual start of the project was delayed until the 1920s. A large portion of the land was acquired by the council to build a park, with Albert Lindsay Parkinson being the main seller. The government also had to buy some land through compulsory purchase and received donations from the Blackpool mayors of the era.
Stanley Park cafe, built in the classic Art Deco style, features steps leading down to the boating lake. The area around the lake is forested, with a designated zone for animals. On the lake’s edge, there’s an amphitheatre encircling a bandstand, also designed by Mawson.
At the front of the cafe is the Italian gardens. The biggest gardens in the park, they are home to a grand fountain crafted from Italian marble and several statues, among them were a set of Medici Lions with a fascinating story.
In 1921, Stowe House and its surrounding areas near Milton Keynes were divided for sale, and the decorative arts within were sold off. At that time, the lions embarked on a trip to Stanley Park, Blackpool, reaching there in 1926. They travelled with other Stowe characters, including shepherds and shepherdesses. Unfortunately, some of these figures were stolen by metal thieves in August 2011. The thieves likely melted the stolen shepherds and shepherdesses down for their metal content. As a result, the lions were considered to be in great danger. Stowe provided replacement casts for Blackpool and these are the ones you see today.
The clock tower is dedicated to Dr William Henry Cocker, first Mayor of Blackpool, and on heritage days yearly you can go inside and to the top.
On October 2, 1926, the 17th Earl of Derby inaugurated Stanley Park – a big day in Fydle Coast history as it was the day it also welcomed the grand opening of the new Marine Promenade in Fleetwood. The park was christened after the Earl’s family name (Edward George Villiers Stanley) and he made the ceremonial key-turning at the principal entrance. Following this, he was chauffeured to the Italian Gardens to greet the attendees, paying tribute to the town’s motto ‘Progress’ and emphasising Blackpool’s commitment to future investments. The inaugural event in 1926 was projected to have cost around £250,000.
The announcement of the park’s opening quickly reached the United States, where it was hailed as a venue that catered to the leisure desires of the era’s generation.
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