Place    From 5/11/1887 

Queen's Park

Categories: Gardens / Agriculture

An information board in the Park gives "The area that is now Queen's Park was part of the site of the 1879 Royal Kilburn Agricultural Show, which had been attended by Queen Victoria, after which the Ecclesiastical Commissioners gave up the 30-acre site for the free use and enjoyment of the public' and so the City of London Corporation acquired the land in 1886. William Ward made a bequest, towards development of a public park, which was 'to be applied and expended in the erection and maintaining of some institution and the creation of some fund for the benefit of the poorer classes.' Major Alexander McKenzie, the second Superintendent of Epping Forest, laid out the site, which was originally called Kilburn Recreation Ground, but an application was made to Queen Victoria who then gave her permission for the name to be changed to Queen's Park in honour of her Golden Jubilee. the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Reginal {sic} Hanson, officially opened Queen's Park on the 5th November 1887."

More information at Queen's Park History. It's a rather complicated story but London Gardens Online made us understand that the City of London had to accept both Queen's Park and Highgate Wood, or lose both. Queen's Park was going to be more expensive to maintain and it was the funds from William Ward's will that made the double acquisition possible.

The park was laid out by Alexander McKenzie, and opened in 1887, serving the newly developed area around. The Park is managed by the City of London. The bandstand has been there from the start.

The 2013 Queen's Park Conservation Management Plan may be of interest, though the historical appendix is missing.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Queen's Park

Commemorated ati

Bandstand - Queen's Park

Queen's Park Centenary 1887 - 1987

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Other Subjects

Barbican Horticultural Society

Barbican Horticultural Society

From their website: "Our Aims: Provide information and practical help to Barbican gardeners of all experience levels; Encourage the cultivation of plants in window-boxes, terraces and public spaces...

Group, Community / Clubs, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Olive Katherine Lloyd-Baker

Olive Katherine Lloyd-Baker

From Cotswoldsaonb: "Olive Lloyd-Baker was born ... the middle of three daughters of Michael Granville Lloyd-Baker, eldest son and heir to the Estate. There are glimpses of her strong character in ...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
William Andrews Nesfield

William Andrews Nesfield

The Regent's Park plaque has the date of birth as 1794 but this contradicts all the other sources we have found, which have 1793. Nesfield was a significant Victorian garden designer who had a rep...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture

1 memorial
Westminster Tree Trust

Westminster Tree Trust

Westminster Tree Trust (originally the Pimlico Tree and Preservation Trust) was founded by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean in 1982 as a charity dedicated to improving the environment in Westminster. Website.

Group, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
John Loudon

John Loudon

Garden and cemetery designer, city planner. Born Scotland as John Claudius Loudon. Studied biology, botany and agriculture. Came to London in 1803. His many publications include: Observations on La...

Person, Architecture, Gardens / Agriculture, Scotland

1 memorial