The Parks Trust secures National Lottery Investment for historic Milton Keynes parkland

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund has agreed The Parks Trust plan.

It will revive the character of the park’s 18th Century landscape design, which includes a water garden with cascades and a ‘Wilderness’.

A rich ornamental park will also be created, enabling more people to come and enjoy the park’s wealth of historic features and attractive landscape.

At this stage of the project HLF and Big Lottery Fund will provide development funding of £321,200 over the next two years to help The Parks Trust progress the restoration plan and to consult with the local community.

The Trust will then apply for a full grant of £3.16 million to implement the project.

“We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support so we can work-up the plans to ‘Reveal, Revive and Restore’ Great Linford Manor Park,” said Phil Bowsher, Head of Landscape, Strategy & Development at The Parks Trust.

“This is a significant step towards us being able to restore the park’s important heritage.

“Our outline proposals include new facilities with guided trails, play areas, and interpretation of the site’s evolution since the 7th Century.

“An activity programme aims to provide more events in the park and create new volunteering and training opportunities. A sculpture project, education and outreach programmes will enable more people to enjoy the park and a new Friends Group is proposed to enable people to become involved in the restoration of the park.”

The support for Great Linford Manor Park comes as part of an announcement of £30.7million for 16 parks across the UK.