Campbell Park in Milton Keynes recognised as one of the finest post-war parks

Historic England has announced that Campbell Park in Milton Keynes has been granted protection and added to the Register of Parks and Gardens, part of the National Heritage List for England.

A variety of post-war gardens and landscapes in the South East have been added to the National Heritage List for England today (Friday).

Over the past three years Historic England and the Gardens Trust have been working on a collaborative campaign ‘Compiling the Record’ which sought to add to the knowledge base

of post-war landscapes and to seek protections of these spaces, which were also previously underrepresented on the National Heritage List of England.

The campaign asked for nominations from the public and a shortlist was drawn up, which included Campbell Park.

The Grade II registered status was awarded due to Campbell Park’s historic interest and innovative architectural design.

Campbell Park as it stands today is one of the largest urban park landscapes created in England in the 20th and 21st century.

It fuses contemporary design with 18th and 19th century influences, forming a point of transfer between the city centre and the wide, pastoral landscape beyond.

The design combines natural and artificial topography in a unified scheme that includes water features, sculpture, the Grand Union Canal, a cricket pitch and an open-air auditorium, with planting and planning considered to encourage biodiversity.

Rob Riekie, landscape and operations director at The Parks Trust (Milton Keynes), said: “We’re delighted that Campbell Park has been recognised by Historic England and has now be named a Park of Special Historic Interest with Grade II status.

"Our team at The Parks Trust have cared for this park for close to 30 years and are extremely passionate about ensuring its longevity for future generations.

"These new protections from Historic England will now help us in doing this whilst also ensuring we’re able to continuously make improvements for the benefit of the city.”

Campbell Park is managed by The Parks Trust who have been its custodians for almost 30 years, they have maintained and improved the park year on year and are proud of its success.

They run and licence hundreds of events and activities within Campbell Park each year for the benefit of the local community. Their mission is to care for the parks in Milton Keynes.

Michael Bellamy, Historic England Listing Adviser, said: “Campbell Park reflects the pioneering spirit of Milton Keynes, connecting the urban centre to the wide, pastoral landscape beyond.

"It is one of the largest urban park landscapes created in England in the 20th and 21st century and I’m delighted to see it added to the National Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

"The past few months have shown that our parks and outside spaces enhance our lives and are essential for our wellbeing, and this recognition will help to protect Campbell Park so that it can continue to be used and enjoyed as it was designed to do.”

Thanks to suggestions from landscape professionals and members of the public, some of the best examples of landscapes designed between the end of the Second World War and the early 1990s have been identified for protection.

Those highlighted range from memorials, to the grounds of housing estates, institutions, and private houses, as well as commercial and industrial sites. Some also include associated structures, which have been listed.

In total, 24 places have been newly added to the Register of Parks and Gardens, upgraded, or listed.

To find out more about Campbell Park and The Parks Trust, visit: www.theparkstrust.com.