Arboretum

The Arboretum Lincoln.

An arboretum is a collection of trees. It covers 8.8 hectares, and is of grade II historic importance.
Lincoln Corporation bought Monks Leys Common, and through act of Parliament sold 3 acres of land for residential dwellings to help fund the cost.

The site was designed and laid out between 1870 and 1872 by Edward Milner.He was employed to inspect the site and to develop a design in July of 1870.The design was approved on 13th September 1870, and after an initial £500 was paid work started at once.
Several delays followed pushing costs above the original estimates.The Arboretum was finally opened at 2 o`clock on 26th August 1872.
A crowd of around 25,000 people attended the opening, with brass bands,Professor Renzo`s Performing Dogs, Mr Emanuel Jackson`s balloon ascent and 20 ladies from Liverpool dressed as fairies entertaining the crowds.

By the end of the century the Arboretum was a popular place with a program of events including brass band concerts, flower shows, fêtes and galas.

In 1894, N.Clayton Cockburn Esq. presented a small area of land to provide an extension to the original layout. Henry Earnest Milner, son of the late Edward Milner was asked to develop a design for the site.Which was added in 1895 in the north west corner.

The maze was removed sometime before World War II and a rose garden planted in its place.And other pre war alterations included the southern boundaries and the iron railings which were not only removed from the park but from the surrounding houses for the war effort.By 1945 the terrace fountains were no longer in service.

The site of the cold bath house was redeveloped in 1953 to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and the fountain basins were planted with shrubs.

In 2003 Funding of £0.4 million from the ERDF and a £2.5 million Heritage Lottery grant were allocated to restore the Arboretum and
The Temple Gardens

located at the Usher Gallery site to its former glory.The aim of the restoration scheme was to return the park as close

as was possible to its late nineteenth century appearance.This involved restoration of both the horticulture and architectural elements of the park.Including a rebuild of the cast-iron shelter and bandstand, replacement of period railings around the perimeter, improvement to the Abbey lodge to provide tea rooms, toilets and a access center, refurbishment of the lakes and bridges and gardens.The maze was restored to its original design and paths and stone work renewed,and the fountains replaced on the terrace.New Victorian style lighting columns were installed along the paths, the park reopened on 19 September 2003.

The Lake and Fountain.

The lake was intended to be both an ornamental and practical feature as it was designed to collect water from the many springs on the site.
In 1886/1887 work was carried out to repair the damaged edge of the lake.
Between November 1904 and August 1905 131 people died and more than 1,000 were infected from a typhoid epidemic due to drinking polluted water.
That finally convinced people of the need for a pure water supply.
The fountain was created in 1911 to celebrate the inauguration of the new water supply from Elksley Water Works.
The columns are cores taken from the bore hole at Elksley.

The lion.

The lion monument was presented to the park in 1872.Made from composition stone by Victorian sculptors Felix Austin and John Seeley.

The Cast-Iron Shelter.

Manufactured by Lockerbie and Wilson. Birmingham.The twisted cast-iron panels supports an ogee zinc roof on filigree brackets,and rockwork around its base.

The Arboretum terrace.

Almost 300m long,opened in 1872.Once stood an elegant cast iron and glass pavilion which contained a display of exotic plants.The pavilion was demolished in 1948 due to being damaged by the bomb blast that destroyed the cold bath house.

The Cold Bath.

Contains a natural spring and was once positioned within the basement of coldbath house,built in the 1860`s for Henry Kirke Hebb.During a 2nd world war Luftwaffe bombing raid,the house suffered a direct hit and had to be demolished.

The Bandstand.

Manufactured by George Smith & Co. of Sun Foundry of Glasgow in 1884 from cast-iron.
Erected in 1884.In 2002-03 it was restored and repainted in its original colour scheme by Eura Conservation Ltd.
Twisted iron columns with baluster panels and zinc roof.

The Maze.

In 1872 Admission to the maze cost 2 pence for adults and 1 pence for children,Today its free.

The play area.

The play area is a new feature within the Coronation gardens.
Information Courtesy City of Lincoln Council.

To view a map of the park layout click HERE

To view a collection of photos click HERE

Official pictures of the openingHERE