Hurst Grange Park

Hurst Grange Park is located in the centre of Penwortham and covers some 15.5 hectares, making it the largest park in Penwortham. It is one of the three most prestigious parks within the Borough of South Ribble.

Records of Hurst Grange Park have been traced back to 1848, when the land was the estate of William Adam Hulton. Located to the North of this land was a large mansion, called "Hurst Grange", of which only the stable block and North lodge survive today. In 1937, the land was passed to Preston Rural District Council, which became South Ribble Borough Council in 1974.

This area of the park contains a fully equipped children's playground, football pitch and a large area of mature woodland. It is host to the annual Penwortham Gala which consists of processions, marquees and a large fairground.

The southern half of the park was transferred to South Ribble Borough Council in 1995 from the Commission for the New Towns, who acquired areas of land after the war, for development of a proposed Central Lancashire New Town. As this never materialised, the land held by the CNT has gradually been sold to developers or adopted by local authorities.

This half of the park is registered as a Biological Heritage Site and maintained with wildlife as a priority, due to the large wild flower/orchid meadows and the group of five ponds containing endangered species such as great crested newts.

The park is soon to benefit from the installation of a new trim trail.

Road Directions

From Preston City Centre, follow the A59 towards Liverpool, go over the River Ribble and up Penwortham Hill. Take your 1st turning on the left into Hill Road, before you reach the top of the hill, proceed to the end of Hill Road, the Park entrance is on the right and the car park is further on the left.
From Liverpool, follow the signs to Preston A59, through Liverpool Road/Cop Lane traffic lights in Penwortham, take the first turning on the right into Hill Road.