Worden Park
Encyclopedia
Leyland, Lancashire
Leyland is a town in the South Ribble borough of Lancashire, England, approximately six miles south of the city of Preston.Throughout the 20th and 21st century, the community has seen a large growth in industry, population and farming, due to the establishment of Leyland Motors, housing...
, a town in the borough of South Ribble
South Ribble
South Ribble is a non-metropolitan district and borough of Lancashire, England. Its council is based in Leyland.In May 2007, the council was officially declared "Excellent" by the Audit Commission, gaining its place among the best 5 district councils in the country,-Overview:On 4 October 2007, a...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is less than a quarter of a mile from the town centre, yet is a peaceful and relaxed environment.
History
The Farington family
The Farington family purchased the house and surrounding lands of Shaw Hall after their original family seat - Old Worden Hall - was judged too small for the family's wealth and social status. With surrounding farmland, the Faringtons formed the park with Shaw Hall, now renamed Worden Hall, at its centre. The area outside the house was blossoming gardens. In 1941, there was a fire in the house, and most of the hall was severely damaged. The house remained standing until the local council purchased the Hall from the family after the war. The most damaged part of the hall was torn down; however what is left of the house and outbuildings can still be seen today. There is an ice house which visitors can view, a mazeMaze
A maze is a tour puzzle in the form of a complex branching passage through which the solver must find a route. In everyday speech, both maze and labyrinth denote a complex and confusing series of pathways, but technically the maze is distinguished from the labyrinth, as the labyrinth has a single...
and a miniature railway that runs round the part of the park that is most visited.
Woodlands
There is a significant amount of woodland in the park, most of which runs along Shaw Brook, a tributary of the River LostockRiver Lostock
The River Lostock is a river in Lancashire, England.The source of the Lostock is at the confluence of Slack Brook and Whave's Brook at the entrance to Miller Wood near Withnell Fold....
.
Green Flag Status
Worden Park has been granted the prestigious Green Flag AwardGreen Flag Award
The Green Flag Award is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom. The scheme was set up in 1996 to recognise and reward green spaces in England and Wales that met the laid down high standards...
in 2006, and for the previous ten years running. The award is given to parks and green spaces in England and Wales each year to reward the best green spaces in the country, and has been awarded annually since 1996.
Features
- Large playground with rides for children and teenagers
- Numerous football pitches in a very good condition which are free to use by the public and are also used by Sunday League football teams as well as for football training
- Café
- Miniature trains
- Large woodland
- Formal gardens
- Miniature Golf
- Arts and Crafts Centre
- Hedge maze
Worden Park is very popular with dog walkers. Dogs are welcomed throughout the park and there are bins around the park for disposing of dog litter. There is also a dog washing shower situated next to the main parking area. The large expanse of parkland makes it very appealing for dog walkers and the wooded area to the south of the park is a very popular walking spot for walkers and dog walkers alike. The Shaw Brook, a tributary of the River Lostock
River Lostock
The River Lostock is a river in Lancashire, England.The source of the Lostock is at the confluence of Slack Brook and Whave's Brook at the entrance to Miller Wood near Withnell Fold....
runs through the wooded area and is a safe place for dogs to swim.
Accessibity
There are two free car parks, both reached from the entrance on Worden Lane. During the busy summer months an overflow car park is opened next to the main car park.The park is in walking distance from Tesco and the town centre.
Local Area
Worden Park is on the edge of Leyland and is surrounded on three sides by housing estates. To the west of Worden Park lies the Wade Hall estate, popular with low-income families and the elderly. The old town centre of Leyland is situated north of the park.To the east of Worden Park lies the Worden Park estate, popular with medium-high income families and the elderly. To the south, the park is bounded by farmland.