page_title: The Park, University of Gloucestershire
section_title: History of The Park Estate
hierarchical_section_title: The Park, University of Gloucestershire / History of The Park Estate
caption_attribution_description: Taxus baccata
context_page_description: The Park, University of Gloucestershire is a 9.5-hectare community green space in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
  The site is owned and managed by the University of Gloucestershire.
context_section_description: A local solicitor called Thomas Billings purchased the site in 1831 and put plans in train for Gloucestershire Zoological, Botanical and Horticultural Gardens. This was an ambitious project which eventually failed. It is reported that it was to be opened officially on the day of Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838. Elements of the original plans remain which include the Elephant Walk and the lake which is in the shape of Africa.
  The Park is teardrop shaped and at the point of the teardrop is the building which was to be the entrance to the Gardens, which is called Cornerways and has a high tower.  The original design included a grand promenade and a crescent of villas and was engraved by J. Fisher.
  The site was sold to architect Samuel Whitfield Daukes in 1839.  Dawkes developed The Park as 'pleasure grounds' and designed and had built the villas around it. There are a set of entrance gates which remain from this period, and Fullwood House in the grounds provides a point of interest within the landscape.
  Daukes also designed a number of other buildings in Cheltenham.
  A publication provides a graphical image of the teardrop layout, historical information and species information.
caption: Example - European yew (Taxus baccata)
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