Lancashire
Gardens Trust
Research
Researching Parks & Gardens
Our researchers have mostly been new to garden history and have soon acquired a taste for the investigative work which brings such satisfaction when a rare document is discovered or when some detail of provenance is proven. Even the simple technique of comparing maps from different periods can reveal such startling truths.
Our most recent project has been Lancashire’s War Memorial Parks and Gardens, published to coincide with Armistice Day, 2018. We were astonished that many of these Gardens of Remembrance and Memorial Parks had been overlooked during the visits conducted for the 2013 report.
Research into these special places was conducted differently, consulting contemporary newspapers and council Minute books to obtain more personal details and attitudes towards suitable forms of remembrance. Although many means were proposed, (swimming baths and electric lighting even) the Garden of Remembrance was the most widely chosen form. A garden is symbolic and comforting.
We meet at regional centres, for instance Lancaster, York and Birmingham, where we exchange ideas and methods.
We welcome anyone interested in entering the fascinating world of garden research with us.
Gt. Harwood Memorial Park
A Georgian Landscape
A Stuart Layout
Research & Recording
We aim to add more information to the Parks and Gardens in our Locally Important Sites; these are classed as Undesignated (not on Historic England’s Register) and they will benefit from added protection when additional information complements their description.
Join our Research
If you are interested in the artistic or social aspects of our historic designed landscapes, or have skills in IT or web searching, do contact us and join a friendly group.
Resource Hub
We work alongside our umbrella organisation The Gardens Trust which organises workshops and study days designed to train volunteers. The Gardens Trust also provides training by means of guidance leaflets and videos available on their Resource Hub, where there is a comprehensive list of source materials and methods to aid researchers.
Book List
Lancashire Gardens Trust recommend a basic list of books on Garden History, complemented by a further list of titles which give additional background in the history of garden and landscape design through the centuries.
Gazetteer of Sites
A collection of Undesignated sites (not on the Historic England Register) recorded with a site description, historical development, statement of significance and illustrations.
Tree Registry
The Trust is aware of the need to record & look more closely at trees in designed landscapes.
A national initiative to record important trees is under way, and we welcome anyone who would like to organise a recording exercise.
Lancashire Gardens Trust
Regd. Office: Moss Lane House, Green Lane, Chipping, Preston. PR3 2TQ
Company No. 07097219
Charity No. 1164494
© 2023 LGT.
The Lancashire County Palatine
