Bowring Park boasts a proud heritage predominantly dating back to the Georgian Period. Its archaeology, history, natural and built environment all add to the importance and value of this community park. Some of the key features that remain within the park and define its heritage value are:
- Formal Gardens: These include the following:
- Walled Garden and Potting Sheds
- Dell (Sunken Garden)
- Terrace Lawn and Ha Ha
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Post War view of Dell and Terrace Lawn with buildings in background
Post War Image of Walled Garden with Glasshouses in background
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Post War view of Dell and Terrace Lawn with buildings in background
Post War view of Dell and Terrace Lawn with buildings in background -
Post War Image of Walled Garden with Glasshouses in background
Post War Image of Walled Garden with Glasshouses in background
- Buildings: including The Coach House and Stables Block – now used for the Visitor & Community Centre and the Golf Course Reception and Clubhouse
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Stables Block (now Golf Shop and Clubhouse)
Bowring Park Visitor & Community Centre (former Coach House)
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Stables Block (now Golf Shop and Clubhouse)
Stables Block (now Golf Shop and Clubhouse) -
Bowring Park Visitor & Community Centre (former Coach House)
Bowring Park Visitor & Community Centre (former Coach House)
- Parkland Landscapes/Vistas: including a rich stock of veteran trees showcasing the original landscape layout of the estate
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View across Bowring Park Golf Course
Post War Image of Walled Garden with views across Golf Course
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View across Bowring Park Golf Course
View across Bowring Park Golf Course -
Post War Image of Walled Garden with views across Golf Course
Post War Image of Walled Garden with views across Golf Course
- Local Wildlife Site: covering the western side of the Golf Course including valuable grasslands and a pond habitat
- Other Features: original stone pillars and walling; foundations of the original buildings (two gatehouses (Roby & Liverpool Lodges) and the original footprint of Roby Hall itself (currently used as the Car Park for the site).
Lost Heritage Features
Over the years, many original estate features have been lost but are recorded in documents and images relating to the Park. These lost features include:
- Roby Old Hall: lost soon after 1936 according to historic maps.
- Roby Hall: The 1761 Hall fell into disrepair in the 1950s and was demolished at this time.
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Northern view of Roby Hall
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Northern view of Roby Hall
Northern view of Roby Hall
- Gatehouses: Roby Lodge (Eastern Entrance) and Liverpool Lodge (Western Entrance).
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Roby Lodge Gatehouse (now demolished)
Liverpool Lodge Gatehouse (now demolished)
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Roby Lodge Gatehouse (now demolished)
Roby Lodge Gatehouse (now demolished) -
Liverpool Lodge Gatehouse (now demolished)
Liverpool Lodge Gatehouse (now demolished)
- Potting Sheds: The original potting sheds were replaced in the 1950s – a section of these were demolished in the 1990s.
- Greenhouses/Vineries: originally around the Walled Gardens, no greenhouses or vineries stand within the Park today.
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Glasshouses north of Walled Garden (now demolished)
Southern View of Roby Hall with Vineries either side
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Glasshouses north of Walled Garden (now demolished)
Glasshouses north of Walled Garden (now demolished) -
Southern View of Roby Hall with Vineries either side
Southern View of Roby Hall with Vineries either side
- Landscape Vistas: obstructed by the opening of the M62 motorway and Roby Road in 1973.
- Northern Boundary: altered when Roby Road was built in 1973. A remnant portion of the park now lies north of Roby Road, and is now known locally as ‘Nanny Goat Park’. Knowsley Council secured ownership of this land in July 2014 with the intention of incorporating the land back into the Park and safeguarding the original heritage features under the restoration project.