Hanley Park is the focus of a major restoration project

Hanley Park and the Cauldon Grounds are open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and welcome around 600,000 visitors every year.  Cauldon Grounds first opened in 1894, and were followed by the larger Hanley Park in 1897. Both were designed by Thomas Mawson, and Hanley Park’s listed status has recently been upgraded to II* in recognition of its importance.

The parks are now the subject of a proposed £4.5m heritage restoration project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund through their Parks for People Programme. The project is a partnership project led by the city council, with support from Stoke College and the University. A detailed business case is being progressed with a view to submitting a £4.5m HLF funding bid in August this year for the restoration work. The outcome will be known in January 15.

The Council is inviting members of the public to come along to events, and to view display panels showing the plans. People will be on hand to discuss them and to hear your ideas.

• Members of the project team will also be on hand at Etruria Canals Festival on 31 May and 1 June. We look forward to meeting you.

• Join us for a walk in the park, departing from the bandstand on Sunday 1 June 10am and then why not stay on for the Big Picnic and Park Live! ?

• Join us for music and a family restoration trail on Sunday 15 June, 1pm—4pm.

Read all about Hanley Park and download the Plans here.

Give your views here using the online survey.

The proposals include:

•  Main Pavilion: A comprehensive refurbishment of the building’s interior to provide a café/restaurant, toilets and space for meetings, events and functions as well as external restoration works with a functioning clock tower;
• Boathouse: A full refurbishment which would enable the building to be used in a variety of possible ways – as a second café and/or a boat hire facility, or as a space for education and community group use;
• Repairs to the small bowls pavilion, 1960s bowls pavilion, veterans’ building and small sports pavilion.
• Improvements to the formal pavilion terraced garden at the core of the historic park including the restoration of the bandstand and provision of power supplies for events and activities.
• Canal bridges: Repair and restoration of two canal bridges, including reinstatement of original railings and decorative iron lighting columns.
• Repairs to the lake’s retaining walls and the rockery and ravine which feeds water into the lake.
• The full restoration of the terrocotta fountain and pool in the Cauldon Grounds and two smaller water features.
• Repair and full restoration of all entrance gates to the park, more seating, better signage and resurfaced footpaths.

Other Fringe events in Hanley Park include Park Traces exhibition and drawing workshop on the 13th June.The Fringe Community Night Walk will go through Hanley Park on the 17 June.

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