Watson Road Park, Watson Road, Waterloo

Location/Address

None recorded

Type

Park or garden

Coherent areas of land designed and/or managed for leisure purposes.

Description

Site originally used as practice trench system during World War I and subsequently as an educational visitor attraction. The park is now a valuable green space with amenities including children’s playground, bowling green and community centre.

Map

Statement of Significance

Historic Interest

The trench system was cut in fields on the southern edge of Blackpool close to the railway line during the first years of the war as a military exercise and, probably uniquely, had then been retained open and promoted as a site where civilians could gain a better understanding of the new trench warfare. The trench system was modelled on those in the Loos district in Flanders. Admission fees were used to help fund the King’s Lancashire Military Convalescent Hospital on Squires Gate Lane, and convalescing patients acted as guides.

Archaeological Interest

The trenches are visible from the air as a series of crop marks, and planned archaeological work will reveal the extent of survival of buried remains.

Images and Documents

Photo
Watson%20Road%20Park.jpg

Date Listed

n/a

Find Out More

Find out more about this Asset in Lancashire Local List:
https://local-heritage-list.org.uk/lancashire/asset/288