The Park, University of Gloucestershire

The Park is a 9.5 hectare green space within the University of Gloucestershire campus that combines grassland meadows, wooded areas, and an ornamental lake. The grounds feature varied planting including shrubs and hedgerows that create distinct sections across the open landscape.

Thomas Billings purchased the land in 1831 to establish the Gloucestershire Zoological and Botanical Gardens as a collection of animals and plants. The architect Samuel Whitfield Daukes later redesigned these grounds into ornamental pleasure gardens that form the landscape today.

The campus functions as a working creative center where media, design, and technology students engage with professional studios and workshops throughout the year. This active student presence shapes the daily character of the grounds and creates a sense of ongoing creative production.

The main car park can be accessed through The Park entrance between Merestones Road and Brook Court with pay-and-display parking. The open layout and clear pathways make it straightforward to move around the grounds and explore different sections.

The grounds contain approximately 900 trees including giant sequoias and cedars of Lebanon, with some specimens dating from the early 1800s. These ancient trees are remnants of the original garden collections and add layers of history to the site.

Inception: 2009

GPS coordinates: 51.88800,-2.08786

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:41