Worden Park

Worden Park is a large area of parkland situated on the outskirts of Leyland, a town in the borough of South Ribble, Lancashire, England. It is less than a quarter of a mile from the town centre.

Remains of the old hall, Worden Park

History
Folly over the Stannings weir, Shaw Brook, Worden Park

Farington family

The Farington family purchased the house and surrounding lands of Shaw Hall after their original family seat - Old Worden Hall in Buckshaw, Euxton - 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 maze and a miniature railway that runs round the part of the park that is most visited.[1]

The formal gardens and hedge maze were originally designed by the landscape architect William Andrews Nesfield.[1]

Woodlands

There is a significant amount of woodland in the park, most of which runs along Shaw Brook, a tributary of the River Lostock.

Green Flag Status

Worden Park was given the prestigious Green Flag Award for eleven consecutive years, from 1996 to 2006.[2][3] 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
Worden Halt - the miniature railway station
  • 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
  • CafĂ© (The Folly)
  • Miniature trains
  • Large woodland
  • Formal gardens
  • Miniature Golf
  • Arts and Crafts Centre
  • Hedge maze
  • Large playground
  • Refreshments kiosk

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 a dog-washing shower situated next to the main parking area. The large expanse of parkland makes it very appealing for dog walkers, especially the wooded area to the south. The Shaw Brook, which runs through the wooded area, is a safe place for dogs to swim.

Bonfire night

Each year on or around 5 November, Worden Park plays host to one of Lancashire's largest gatherings of Guy Fawkes revellers. A huge bonfire, spectacular firework display and a large fair can be enjoyed by all. The local Round Table group organise the event and proceeds are used for charitable and local good causes.

Accessibility

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 the Tesco supermarket 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 the park lies the Worden Park estate, popular with medium-high income families and the elderly. To the south, the park is bounded by farmland.

  • The ornamental gardens by Worden Hall
  • The miniature railway in the east of the park going off in two directions
  • A flower bed in the park celebrating 100 years of the Scout Association
  • A signpost indicating directions to the amenities available in the park
  • Mini-waterfall on the Shaw Brook through the park
  • A view across Worden Park looking out across the football pitches
  • The disused miniature railway tracks crossing a road

References
  1. https://www.southribble.gov.uk/wordenpark
  2. The Civic Trust (2007) Worden Park, Green Flag Award : Current Winners [accessed 4 May 2007]
  3. Gee, Chris (2006) "Jewel in crown’ gets national award - again", The Citizen [online newspaper] : Leyland News, 3 August 2006 [accessed 4 May 2007]
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