- Park Drive, Bingley, BD16 3DF
- Open 24 hours a day, all year round
- Children's play area
- Picnic area
- Walking routes
Prince of Wales Park, Park Drive, Bingley, United Kingdom
Quick description
Perfect for walking, with footpaths through wooded grounds, gentle trails, and steeper rambles.
What’s there?
The picturesque, Grade II-listed Prince of Wales Park is situated across a large hilly landscape between Bingley and Eldwick. The park’s scenic winding footpaths through lush, wooded grounds provide the perfect backdrop for walking, running, and cycling. With gentle trails and steeper rambles, there’s something for everyone to explore. A designated local wildlife site, the park is a haven for nature enthusiasts, as it is home to species-rich woodland and mixed habitats.
The park is well maintained by the Friends Group volunteers, who ensure that the grounds are accessible and remain a beautiful space for families and friends to spend time together.
Play area
Located at the lower part of the park (near Lady Lane) is a small wooden play area.
Climbing frame
A climbing frame can be found at the top of the park.
Outdoor gym equipment
The neatly compact fitness area offers a space to exercise in the fresh air, surrounded by nature and with no membership required!
Picnic area
In 2020, a space in the park was cleared to make a level surface containing four picnic tables. This tranquil, picturesque spot is surrounded by trees, which is perfect for meeting up with family and friends.
Stone Chair
Due to the presence of the quarry, there was an abundance of stones that the stoneworkers had at their disposal. As a result, you may come across some interesting “outdoor furniture” around the park. Also some paths have large edging stones which carry fossilised imprints of plants.
The Arena
The only large flat area within the park, the arena – also known as “The Ariana” – has been the location of all the events held within the park for many decades. The levelling of this space was the fruit of labour from many volunteers who participated in the creation of the park. This Arena is home to two picnic tables.
Water Features
A former park keeper, Mr Wilson is one of the principal architects of the three water features completed after the Second World War. They are all fed from natural springs running within the park. These were completed between 1956 and 1976.
The Temperance Drinking Fountain
The original trust established to maintain the park forbade drinking, gambling, Sunday games or discussing politics and religion. The inscription on the fountain is a reminder of that past: “Presented by the Total Abstainers of Bingley. Pure water be mine. 1866”
John Nicholson plinth
John Nicholson (29 November 1790 – 13 April 1843) was popularly known as the Airedale Poet and also as the Bingley Byron. A plinth commemorating the poet was installed at the Prince of Wales Park, Bingley, in 1870.
Park lodge
Built in 1885 for the park keeper and later became home to the head gardener and family.
Street Art by Jane Fielder
Local Artist Jane fielder has provided a fantastic mural on what used to be a rather dull electric substation. This street art installation is near the Lodge by Lady Lane side – next to the play area.
History
The Prince of Wales wedding
Originally planned to be called ‘The People’s Park’, but as the construction of the park coincided with the royal wedding of the Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII) to Alexandra of Denmark in March 1863, the park adopted its name to commemorate the special occasion. Designed to create a space for the local people, work began to transform bare moorland measuring 7.3 hectares into a community hub.
Park opening
The park was formally opened in 1865. In acknowledgement of all this, the Prince of Wales sent trees from Sandringham in 1866 to add to the woodland park. The later registration of the park as of Grade II Historic Interest is thought to be a result of this royal recognition.
Natural history
The Prince of Wales Park holds a variety of wildlife and natural vegetation, with a range of habitats located throughout its landscape. The heathland, woodland, and acidic grassland are situated at the highest point of the park, while the bottom region boasts a combination of woodland, water features, flower beds, wildflowers, and an assortment of cut and uncut grass. The Friends of Prince of Wales Park advise keenly on monitoring this area and its supporting elements.
There have been many projects carried out by the Friends of Prince of Wales Park horticulture sub-committee. These include hedging, creating habits, tree planting, and planting flower beds and bulbs.
Resources
Friends Group
Visit the Friends of Bradford District Parks page to find out more about activities and initiatives coordinated by the Friends of Prince of Wales Park.
What’s on
Visit the things to do area for details of all events.
Green Space Forest School
Adult wellbeing and nature connection sessions are run by Green Space Forest school on a monthly basis. For more information, queries or to book a place, visit: https://greenspaceforestschool.co.uk/
Friends of Prince of Wales Park
The Friends of Prince of Wales Park organise various events throughout the year, including a snowman and easter trial and wildlife and geology walks. Events are regularly posted on the Friends Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofprinceofwalespark