Queen's Park, Longton

It has been quite a while since we visited this park. Our nearest park is Fenton which is just about 15 minutes walk away, this one is our second nearest about 40 minutes walk away. The entrance below is at the Trentham Road side of the park which is the oldest of the parks in Stoke-on-Trent; next oldest is Hanley Park which is also the largest, followed by Burslem, Tunstall and then Fenton.

The park was called Queen's Park, although it is always referred to locally as Longton Park, because it was originally laid out to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The first turf was turned in March 1887 by the Lord Mayor at the time Mr John Aynsley owner of the Portland Bone China Works on Sutherland Road, Longton and it was officially opened on July 25th 1888 by one George William Sutherland Levison-Gower, otherwise known as the 3rd Duke of Sutherland.

The area covered by the park is about 41 acres and for me it is the best of the city parks. The trees are amazing with huge sweeping vistas and lush lawns; it is a quiet and peaceful retreat from the busy road near the entrance.

This is a bowling green and pavilion. There are other pitches for ball games and a small skate boarding park, as well as a bandstand and plenty of seating where you can sit and rest awhile.

The natives are very friendly - hello - where did you come from? Pleased to meet you!

The squirrels will come very close looking for food as quite a few visitors to the park feed them with peanuts. Okay, I get the message. Note to self - next time bring some peanuts for the squirrels.

The avenue of trees belowis close to the entrance at the other end of the park at the junction of the Queen's Park and Cocknage roads.

We had now walked from one end of the park to the other; with diversions in between like finding a set of keys and handing them to one of the gardeners who were planting bedding plants in the formal areas, chatting to a lovely couple (with a huge bag of peanuts) about the wildlife in the park, and having a joke about photographing 'his best side' with a man on a mobility scooter (who also had a bag of peanuts.)

Above is one of the two lodge houses. It is totally different to the lodge at the entrance off the Trentham road.

This is the clock tower built in 1988 to commemorate the centenary of the park.

Down to the lake to meet the geese and goslings and also the little ducklings.

Perhaps mum is trying to tell me how proud she is of her little ones; or more likely, she is telling me in duck language to go away.

Well it is time to go home, off we go then - our carriage awaits.