The History of Victoria Park

Answer 1

Victoria Park, located on London’s East End, has a rich cultural history. Planned out by the architect Sir James Pennethorne after years of gravel extraction, the park was first opened to the public in 1845, after Queen Elizabeth was handed a petition containing 30,000 signatures. Victoria Park was the first public park to be opened in London.

Sir James Pennethorne hoped to create a sort of version of the popular Regent’s Park, which had been designed by his teacher, John Nash. But unlike Regent’s Park, which was commissioned by King George IV (then known as Prince Regent), Victoria Park was created with the working class public in mind. It quickly became a haven for the children of working class families, who never before had access to large gardens and lawns, as their royal counterparts did. Victoria Park offered such children a safe place to play with their friends, as well as a peaceful respite for adult on their rare days off. As such, Victoria Park was soon nicknamed the People’s Park.

By the end of the 19th century, Victoria Park attracted a number of activists who came to give speeches about a variety of issues. Many of these soapbox speakers were socialists, who hoped they’d find a sympathetic ear in the People’s Park. Huge crowds gathered to listen to speakers such as Annie Besant and William Morris. However, socialists were not the only people to give public speeches at Victoria Park. Other speakers included atheists, Calvinists, Mormons, Darwinists and many others.

Interestingly, Victoria Park went from being a forum for public speaking to an anti-aircraft site during World War II. Here, British soldiers used ground tactics and weaponry to take down German aircrafts. The park was placed in a rather strategic position, right by the path which the German Luftwaffe flew after attacking warehouses in Southern London.

More recently, Victoria Park has become a popular venue for open air concerts. Many of them are linked to various political causes, carrying on Victoria Park’s legacy as a forum for the expression of opinions and ideas. Examples include concerts for the Anti-Nazi league and Rock Against Racism.