Saturday, January 14, 2012

On Farewell Lane

What on earth, you may ask yourself, was I doing on a cold Saturday morning in January walking along Farewell Lane......

...taking photos of what appears to be a traffic island on a triangular junction?

Well, I'll tell you!  This is no ordinary traffic island but according to the Guinness Book of Records, the smallest park in Britain!
 
Prince's Park was placed here, in the village of Burntwood in Staffordshire, in 1863 to commemorate the marriage between Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

It is sited opposite the red brick church of Christchurch which was  built in 1819 and consecrated in 1820 as a chapel of worship for the people of Burntwood who found it difficult to travel the four miles to their nearest parish church in Lichfield.

The three trees in the little park, which I crossed in about ten or twelve strides, were planted at the time of the commemoration and are named Faith, Hope and Charity.

The park is maintained by Lichfield District Council and has a bench where, according to their website, you can sit for a while in tranquil surroundings.  I have to say that it wasn't very tranquil whilst we were there as the traffic around the junction was pretty heavy at times but the trees and bench are well maintained and the little park absolutely litter free.

Now I'm  wondering which is Britain's largest municipal park?  Anyone know?

18 comments:

  1. I heard about this a while ago but had completely forgotten it until now! I do love crazy little things like that... ah now I'm wondering if this is going into your scavenger hunt perhaps ( if you are still taking part)?

    I really enjoyed the frost this morning, it's nice to have some more seasonal weather!

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  2. What a find!
    We once drove for a couple of hours to visit a village called Mavis Enderby because I liked the name. I still say she sounds like a 1920s crime author!

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  3. Was it always that small? I love finding out interesting historical facts. x

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  4. Louise - I am doing the scavenger hunt and I got two of the topics at the place we visited after Prince's Park - the frost was beautiful this morning:)

    MorningAJ - I love the name Mavis Enderby and also Edith Weston they do sound like 1920s novelists or crime writers don't they:)

    Simone - yes it was always that small as far as I know:)

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  5. That is incredible - both its size and it's position.It's rather sweet though:) No idea abouit the largest park - maybe Hyde Park in London? No idea if that is a municipal park or not actually.

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  6. I've never heard of that before. What a find!
    I don't know the largest park, but the world's first municipal park is at Birkenhead here on the Wirral. It was the blueprint for New York's Central park.
    xxx

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  7. That's fabulous, another place to visit! When I first saw it I thought it was the small island at Alrewas but remembered that only has one huge tree on it and is not a park but more of a memorial island with a small fence around it. Suzy x

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  8. Oh My Dear !
    I learn so much from my visits here. Thank You !!!
    Hugs from rather chili Florida !

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  9. I love the fact that they decided to name the trees.. and that they have survived on a busy road junction. Fabulous!

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  10. So there must be a gate to enter since I saw fencing all around it. I just wonder how many know that it exists besides the neighborhood. Naming the trees was a wonderful idea.

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  11. What a tiny place! I googled largest municipal park in Britain" and it gave Richmond Park in Surrey . Don't know if thats accurate though - I get most of my education from Google.b xxx

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  12. Sit for while in tranquil surroundings with cars whizzing past on all sides!?
    The bench should come with ear plugs!?
    Stay warm, Rosie!

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  13. What great names for the trees!

    I don't know which is Britain's largest municipal park, but both Victoria Park east London and Heaton Park in Manchester are pretty big.

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  14. I've just had a quick search on Google and come up with this:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4311655.stm
    At that rate, it would be Heaton.

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  15. Really enjoyed reading about this Rosie. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  16. Don't know where the largest is but how sweet is that one? Thanks for sharing!

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  17. So interesting..I woonder how many people can fit into that tiny fence!
    Happy New Year Rosie!
    ..not sure if I did say thank you for my card..
    Michela xxx

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  18. Ruth - yes there is a small gate just next to the information notice on the church side:)

    Michela - yes you did and thank you to you for yours:)

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