The Masterplan Vision

English Landscape Zone Plan and Perspective

The English Landscape

The English landscape is the area that stretches from Rockhills in the north of the Park eastwards down to the fishing lake and surrounding woodland. It contains features such as the maze, the Bowl and the Caravan Club.

The setting of the concert platform would be improved by reducing the size of the pond, which was originally much smaller, but enlarged in 1900. The aim would be to bring a closer connection between audiences and performers on the concert platform.

The proposed treetop walk would start at the historic north-facing wall of the wing of the Palace, adjacent to the North Greenhouse and end at the perimeter wall close to Sydenham Gate. Treetop walks have precedents in other historic parks, subject to careful management of existing trees. This follows the theme of Victorian Park visitors who would have appreciated a high level view of this area from the balloon flights in the English Landscape garden (from 1868) or by ascending the north water tower. The treetop walk route maximises the features and topography of the Park to enable level access for all visitors from its start and to exit points.

Proposals for the maze include new entrances, a central viewing platform, improved Hornbeam hedging and selective openings to provide improved access and safety. The existing vegetation will be better managed and gaps replanted.

The first most significant change for the English Landscape is proposed in the northern Rockhills area of the zone which currently contains the enclosed area of the Caravan Club and an unwelcoming separate entrance to the Park itself which is underused.

The proposals envisage relocating the Caravan Club and open up Rockhills Gate, increasing the extent of open, publicly accessible parkland and extending the English Landscape to Crystal Palace Parade. Along with a new small car park, this would have a significant positive impact in terms of the additional sense of space and improved connections to communities to the west of the Park.

The second most significant proposal for the area is the construction of the North Greenhouse which will contain a sub tropical plant collection including mature exotic evergreens, a butterfly house, an integrated education centre and small café.

The North Greenhouse, treetop walk, maze and surrounding landscapes would be linked by a woodland interpretation trail comprising of a series of dynamic natural installations encouraging play and woodland education.

The northern area of Rockhills where the Caravan Club are currently located is also the site which could include residential development and a community building. Residential is being included as a last option should income for basic Park improvements and other funding sources become unobtainable.

The residential development would occupy 1.1 acres of the site currently occupied by the 6 acre Caravan Club. The remaining 4.9 acres would be returned to openly accessible parkland.