South Hill Park

The grounds of South Hill Park have been restored back to their former glory thanks to a £2.3 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund. Take a step back in time and admire original features such as a Yew Walk and Italian Garden in your exploration of the park.

Facilities

South Hill Park has many attractive and unique features which make it a pleasant place to visit and a great filming location:

• an Italian Garden restored to the original designs of architect Temple Moore
• 4 waymarked trails to guide your way around the historic grounds
• 2 balancing ponds popular for fishing and home to an array of wildlife
• surfaced paths and disabled access facilities to the arts centre
• an amphitheatre which is popular for outdoor performances
• a small rose garden which leads onto a yew walk, with a rose strewn arcade
• sculptures including the Rings of Pachamama by Lucy Strachan
• toddler playground including exciting new play features
• café at the South Hill Park Arts Centre
• woodlands of birch, lime, oak and sweet chestnut
• art galleries, a dance studio, cinema and theatre in the mansion
• an orienteering course, which can be used by beginners and more advanced orienteers
• a new educational nature trail, with wildlife themed wood carvings

Visit the South Hill Park Arts Centre website to see what's on, including information on courses and workshops.

Park management

Management of the grounds is a partnership between Bracknell Forest Council, Bracknell Town Council and South Hill Park Arts Centre. The area to the south of Ringmead is owned and managed by Bracknell Forest Council, while the northern area is managed by Bracknell Town Council. Both lakes are owned by Thames Water and act as balancing ponds for the town, by storing excess water during periods of heavy rainfall.

An updated version of the Ten Year Management and Maintenance Plan for South Hill Park was produced in September 2013 to reflect the completed restoration project. The plan sets out the vision, aims and objectives for the park and it identifies actions and priorities in its audience development plan and annual work plan.

South Hill Park won a Gold Award for the third year running in the Parks and Open Spaces category of Thames & Chilterns in Bloom in 2017.

A wide programme of events and activities take place in South Hill Park grounds throughout the year.

The park is also Bracknell's leading venue for large public events, such as the half marathon, The Big Day Out and music festivals.

Wildlife

South Hill Park has woodlands of birch, lime, oak and sweet chestnut. There are also wildflower meadows, a reedbed and 2 balancing ponds which are all  home to an array of wildlife.

To look after the park, and keep it safe for people and animals, strictly no barbecues are allowed.  This will help protect pets and wildlife from:

• cuts from sharp metal from discarded disposable barbecues
• burns from discarded barbecues
• wildfires if the barbecue is not properly extinguished

Barbecues also cause damage if placed on grass or furniture.

Park guides