A Famous Designer
Barrow Park was designed by Lancashire born landscape architect Thomas Mawson. Mawson was the first president of the Institute of Landscape Architects and is famous for his garden designs in the arts and crafts era.
Mawson went on to develop a keen interest in town planning and public parks. His designs were site-led, each park being subtly different from the others he designed.
Barrow was once part of Lancashire, so it is particularly fitting Mawson’s design from 1900 was chosen for the park. In 1908 the park was laid out, with work finally being completed in 1915. So special is the park that today it is listed as Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, and in 2007 it won The Landscape and Conservation Award following extensive restoration work by Barrow Borough Council.
A Heaven of Peace
The park encompasses an incredible 45 acres and provides a peaceful haven in the heart of the town. The entrance from Park Avenue leads up to a small knoll, on the top of which stands the town’s war memorial. From this point the views over Barrow and Walney Island stretch for miles.
Leading down from the war memorial to the lower area of the park is an impressive set of steps that could be straight out of a filmset for an Edwardian drama!
All around are beautiful well-established trees and immaculately tended gardens. Strategically placed benches offer a place to sit for a while and enjoy listening to the bird song.
The influence of the arts and crafts movement is evident all around the park; a prime example of which is the beautiful wooden shelter that provides cool shade on a hot day.
Something for all ages to enjoy
So large is the park that it has crown green bowling, a putting green, a boating lake and a display glasshouse.
Children will enjoy a ride on the miniature railway (open most Sundays between April – September) that bears a passing resemblance to Tomas the Tank Engine. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a surprise given that the Thomas the Tank Engines stories were based on Barrow’s once extensive railway system, and Walney Island was the original inspiration for Sodor.
The park is also home to a children’s playground and concrete skate park, which is accessible from Park Drive.
If all that fresh air works up an appetite, the park has its very own café, which is open from Easter to the end of September.
Located just a 10-minute walk from the town centre, the park is open from 7.30am to 9.00pm in summer and 7.30am to 7pm in winter.
