Prospect Park, Reading
| Prospect Park | |
|---|---|
|
View across the park and the Mansion House on the hill | |
  Location within Reading | |
| Type | Public |
| Location | Reading, Berkshire, UK |
| Coordinates | 51°26′52″N 1°00′33″W / 51.44791°N 1.00911°WCoordinates: 51°26′52″N 1°00′33″W / 51.44791°N 1.00911°W |
Prospect Park is a public park in the western suburbs of Reading northbound Bath road in the English county of Berkshire.
History
Originally the site of Dirle's Farm, the land was part of the Calcot Park estate. In the 1760s, Benjamin Child turned the farm into a mansion. Child was the widower of the famous "Berkshire Lady", Frances Kendrick,[1] whom he had first met there some years before. He named the park after its views over Reading; it was formerly known as Prospecthill Park.[2] The park was bought by the Reading Corporation in 1901.[3]
The Mansion House
The present regency style house, known as The Mansion House (and originally named Prospect House), was built by John Liebenrood in the late 18th century. It is a Grade II listed building,[4] currently used as a restaurant.
Sports
The first race in the Hampshire League Cross Country series in 2013 was held in the park.[5] Other races in the park have included The Color Run[6] and Cancer Research UK's Race for Life.[7]
References
- ↑ Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. p. 95. ISBN 0-905392-07-8.
- ↑ "Sheet 268 - Reading (Outline)". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ↑ Phillips, Daphne (1980). The Story of Reading. Countryside Books. p. 141. ISBN 0-905392-07-8.
- ↑ "Prospect House, Prospect Park, Reading". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- ↑ http://www.hampshireathletics.org.uk/events/hxcl_reading.html
- ↑ "READING Rainbow Run!". Helen and Douglas House. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ↑ "Reading Prospect Park". Cancer Research UK. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
External links
Media related to Prospect Park, Reading at Wikimedia Commons