“Nominal charge upon the rates,” declared the Brighton Herald back in 1883. Now, let’s dive into the story of Preston Park.
Preston Park, originally named Brighton Park, opened its gates to the public a week after its purchase in 1883. This park quickly became a cherished addition to the town. The land that became Preston Park was once part of the Manor of Preston. It belonged to the Bishops of Selsey and later Chichester. In 1561, it became Crown property.
In 1628, the Manor transitioned away from Crown property. It passed to the Shirley family who owned it until 1712. Their steward described the “Mansion House of Preston” as having a gatehouse, stables, coach house and other outhouses, barns, gardens, orchards, and a bowling green with a plantation of young elms. William Stanford acquired Preston Manor and almost 1,000 acres of land in 1794. He bought it from his landlord Charles Western for £17,000.
The land was open meadows divided by fenced hedgerows with trees. It was likely used for sheep farming in the 17th and 18th centuries. In dry years, a green ring can sometimes be seen in the grass near the Tile House. This may have been a dewpond. The Park was demesne land. It was farmed by the lord of the manor, not tenant farmers.
By the late 19th century, Brighton’s population had grown significantly. There was a need for leisure facilities for both the rich and poor. In 1871, William Davies, a Brighton bookmaker, bequeathed £70,000 to the corporation. According to his will, this money was to be used to buy 67 acres of meadow. The land was purchased from Mr and Mrs Bennett-Stanford for £50,000.
Head Gardener Mr Shrives and Borough Surveyor Mr Lockwood oversaw improvements to Preston Park. Iron railings were put up along the Preston Road side. An avenue of trees including elms, chestnuts, ash, and poplars was planted. Flowers and shrubs were planted. Seats were installed. A driveway was established.
The first building erected in the park in 1883 was the Tile House. It originally served as the ladies cloakroom. In 1886, the drinking fountain was moved next to it from outside the south gate. This was done because local children were creating a nuisance by playing with it.
Mayor Alderman A H Cox officially opened the Park on 8 November 1884. The sun was shining and bunting and flags were hung on the trees. 1,200 people attended to see the procession led by the Mayor and his wife.
In 1884, the Town Council approved byelaws for Preston Park. These included prohibitions on cattle, carriages, barrows, bicycles, and tricycles. However, perambulators for children and wheeled chairs for invalids were allowed. Other byelaws restricted dogs without leads, disturbing birds, drying linen, beating carpets, selling alcohol, preaching, setting up stalls, and playing games except in designated areas.
A pair of handsome gates was erected at the southern main entrance. An equestrian drive called Rotten Row was created on the east side. The middle gates opened from Preston Road onto the driveway. Another gate was at the northern end. A small gate led to Preston Park Avenue. The Chalet café opened in 1887 with the park police occupying the upper rooms. This gave them commanding views over most of the Park.
A guide book from 1908 listed features in Preston Park. These included a drive, cinder racing and cycling tracks, a cricket ground, polo, archery, athletics meetings, Lovers Walk, the Chalet tea rooms, and the clock tower. The clock tower was officially handed over to Brighton Corporation on 17 June 1892. It was designed by Francis May. It stands 65 feet tall and each clock face is 5 feet in diameter.
In the 1930s, Captain MacLaren, the Parks Superintendent, remodeled the gardens. Iron railings and the southern entrance lodge were removed. Shrubs were removed to make space for new tennis courts, bowling greens, and pavilions. A flower-lined path connected the tennis courts to a formal rose garden, a fountain, a pond, and the Rotunda café.
Today, Preston Park is the largest ornamental park in Brighton and Hove. It covers 67 acres. It includes playing fields, tennis courts, bowling greens, a cricket pitch, a cycle track, a children’s play area, a rose garden, a garden for the blind, a pond, two cafés, and a vegetable garden. So, as you wander through this green space, remember its rich history.