Rothamsted Park is a

public park An urban park or metropolitan park, also known as a city park, municipal park (North America), public park, public open space, or municipal gardens (United Kingdom, UK), is a park or botanical garden in cities, densely populated suburbia and oth ...

Harpenden Harpenden () is a town and civil parish in the City and District of St Albans in the county of Hertfordshire, England. The population of the built-up area was 30,674 in the 2021 census, while the population of the civil parish was 31,128. Harpe ...

Hertfordshire Hertfordshire ( or ; often abbreviated Herts) is a ceremonial county in the East of England and one of the home counties. It borders Bedfordshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Essex to the east, Greater London to the ...

History

The Park was formerly part of the Manor of Rothamsted, later Rothamsted estate, owned by Sir John Lawes. He initiated agricultural experiments in 1843, which led to the founding of the nearby Rothamsted Experimental Station. He also created the formal entrance from Leyton Road to what is now the Park and planted the avenue of Lime trees. In 1931, the family decided to sell the estate, and after a successful public appeal, the Experimental Station was able to finance its purchase of the estate in 1934. In 1938 the Harpenden Urban District Council purchased the land now known as Rothamsted park from the Experimental Station, in order to provide playing fields and to preserve an important open space. Rothamsted Park is also home to Harpenden Town FC. The Park's main entrance gates were removed for salvage during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, and after the war the restoration of the entrance was paid for by the Friends Provident Insurance Company.

Facilities

The Park covers 23 hectares and is home to Harpenden's leisure centre, swimming pool and theatre, The Eric Morecambe Centre. It has grown to become a sports and recreation hub with a diverse range of facilities including football pitches, floodlit tennis courts and netball courts, cricket and a MUGA which is used for 5-a-side football, hockey and exercise classes. In 2023 Rothamsted Park's Artificial Grass Football Pitch opened - a new home for Harpenden Town FC and Colts FC and a first class addition to the Park. There is also a children's play area with three nature themed zones for different age groups. Harpenden Town Council (which has owned the Park since 2021) has published several guides including a walking guide and tree trail. More information can be found on their website (See References).

References

https://harpenden.gov.uk/green-spaces/rothamsted-park Parks and open spaces in Hertfordshire Harpenden {{commons category, Rothamsted Park