Hove Park

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Hove Park is a park within the English city of Brighton & Hove.

The park is very popular with local residents and dog walkers throughout the year. A paved path goes all round the park, approximately 1.89 kilometres in length, and is often used by walkers and runners. There are also several paved paths cross-secting the park at various points. Brighton & Hove Albion's traditional home, the Goldstone Ground was opposite the park, till it was demolished.

Facilities include a fenced off playground, a football pitch, a basketball court, a climbing boulder, several tennis courts and a bowling green. Hove Park is also home to the Hove Park Cafe which operates throughout the year and serves refreshments. Public toilets are located near the cafe.

In the park's southwest corner lies a huge rock, the Goldstone. Legend has it that the devil threw the approximately 20 ton rock there while excavating Devil's Dyke, Sussex.

The park is maintained by Brighton & Hove City Council.

[edit] Miniature Steam Railway

Notably the park includes a 2,000 foot long miniature railway operating on a 5" gauge, which is open on occasional weekends and bank holidays throughout the summer months. The railway is run by the Brighton & Hove Society of Miniature Locomotive Engineers which was formed from part of Brighton Model Engineers in 1962.

The track was upgraded to use concrete sections following damage caused by the Great Storm of 1987. Each separate section bears a plate detailing the name of the individual who sponsored it.