Park Masters
I listened to this extremely interesting broadcast called Park Masters on BBC Radio 4 about the creators of some of London's finest public parks.
James Pennethorne was the architect who designed Victoria Park in the East End of London. This park opened to the public in 1846 and is considered one of the best designed parks of its time - the Victorian era. Pennethorne studied architecture under the famous John Nash who designed Regents Park and many fine buildings throughout London.
James Pennethorne was the architect who designed Victoria Park in the East End of London. This park opened to the public in 1846 and is considered one of the best designed parks of its time - the Victorian era. Pennethorne studied architecture under the famous John Nash who designed Regents Park and many fine buildings throughout London.
Victoria Park was designed with social control in mind. Due to excessive overcrowding and appalling living conditions endured by the hundreds of thousands of working class people who lived in the East End of London a large public park was devised as a means to allow the workers to exercise and as a means of keeping them clean - two lakes were built where up to 5,000 children could wash at any one time.
Victoria Park also played host to political and trade union activism - William Morris gave public lectures there at least twice. Someone once referred to Victoria Park as being like the university of the working class.
Labels: London parks; Georgian era; Victorian era;
posted by Thomas @ 11:25 pm
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