23 Jul 2003 - 01 Jan 2004
Success for first stage funding of Bushy Park restoration
Bushy park

A grant today of £410,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable The Royal Parks to undertake the development phase of a major restoration of Bushy Park. This grant is the first stage of a larger £4.5m bid which has also received a Stage One Pass from HLF.

Bushy Park is the least known of the eight Royal Parks but has a fascinating history, from being the birthplace of hockey to housing General Eisenhower's HQ during the planning and execution of the D-Day landings.

William Weston, Chief Executive of The Royal Parks said, "This is an immensely exciting moment as the funding will help to rouse the sleeping giant that is Bushy Park. There is a lot to do and The Royal Parks are looking forward to engaging with our local communities, especially the existing supporters of the project such as the Friends of Bushy & Home Parks and members of the old Bushy Park Water Garden Trust. We will also be working with key partners including The Crown Estate and The Royal Parks Foundation and aim to attract new audiences to discover the Park."

Sue Bowers, Heritage Lottery Fund's Manager for London said, "Bushy Park is one of London's most important historical parks which is badly in need of repair and renewal. We look forward to working with the Royal Parks Agency to restore many of its wonderful features such as the Water Gardens and Woodlands for the public to fully appreciate and enjoy. The Park is a very special resource for local people as well as attracting visitors from far and wide and we are confident that plans to improve visitor facilities and encourage community activities and involvement will make it a popular place to visit and discover all year round."

The money provided will fund project development work to pave the way for a £7 million restoration of Bushy Park. This development work covers design fees, development studies including access plans, a transport policy and plan, an interpretation and signage strategy, an ecology survey, a visitor survey and some other smaller enabling studies. It will also support an Education and Community officer, a project manager and a head gardener (in a design role initially) for a period of 18 months.

Greg McErlean, Project Sponsor for the Bushy Park restoration project, said, "There will be extensive education and community benefits as a result of this funding and the project will enable us to make key improvements to the historic environment and visitor facilities."

Kathy White of the Friends of Bushy & Home Parks, which did a great deal of work in researching and developing proposals for a main element of the project - the restoration of the Upper Lodge Water Gardens - said, "The Friends of Bushy and Home Parks set up the Bushy Park Water Gardens Trust in 1997. The Trust carried out extensive historical and archaeological work and produced the then 'Restoration Masterplan'. The Friends continue to support all moves to restore the Water Gardens to their eighteenth century splendour."

Source:
The Royal Parks

For further information contact:
The Royal Parks Press Office T: 0300 061 2128 E: press@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Editor's notes:
Bushy Park is 1,099 acres (450 hectares) in area and was originally the hunting park attached to Hampton Court, the palace of first Cardinal Wolsey and then Henry VIII. It was famous during the 18th Century for its Water Gardens, created by 1st Earl Halifax, and since the 1920s for its beautiful and secluded Woodland Garden.

Millions of Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks for free each year. The 5,000 acres of carefully conserved historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of the capital.

The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park (with Primrose Hill), Richmond Park and St James's Park.

The Royal Parks Foundation was registered as an independent charity in May 2003 with the aim of supporting the work of The Royal Parks. The Foundation will fundraise for a range of flagship projects, including the restoration of Bushy Park.