Great British Parks: A Celebration

Discover the green oases of Britain's urban landscapes.Great British Parks celebrates the historical significance and enduring beauty of the UK's public parks, a legacy of the Victorian era. Explore the design, development, and restoration of these vital green spaces, from the grand landscapes to the local community gardens.

Paul Rabbitts pays tribute to the dedicated individuals, local authorities, and organizations like the Heritage Lottery Fund and Keep Britain Tidy, who have worked tirelessly to preserve and enhance these parks. Learn about the challenges faced and the innovative solutions implemented to ensure these spaces continue to thrive.

Perfect for history enthusiasts, landscape architecture aficionados, and anyone who cherishes the beauty of public parks, this volume offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, present, and future of Britain's beloved green spaces. Discover the stories behind these treasured landscapes and gain a newfound appreciation for their role in urban life.

Dr Paul Rabbitts has over 35 years of experience in designing, managing and restoring urban parks across the UK. As a qualified Landscape Architect, he is also a published author and regular contributor to journals and periodicals. As well as being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, he currently works full time for Norwich City Council as their parks manager. He is an author of books on architects Sir Christopher Wren and Decimus Burton as well as Regent’s Park, Richmond Park, Hyde Park, the wider Royal Parks and that icon of public parks, the Victorian and Edwardian bandstand, on which he is acknowledged as a UK expert and which was the subject of his PhD at the University of East Anglia. He lectures frequently on all things parks and can be contacted via his website www.paulrabbitts.co.uk . He lives in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.