Preston Park, Brighton

Preston Park is one of the city's largest and most historically significant green spaces. Covering 63 acres (250,000 square meters), the park features expansive lawns, formal borders, rose gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts, and a small pond, making it a popular recreational area for locals and visitors.

Preston Park was established in 1883 when Brighton Corporation bought the land from Mr. William Bennett-Stanford, who had begun developing it as pleasure grounds. The purchase was funded by a bequest from local bookmaker William Edmund Davies, and the park officially opened on November 8, 1884. Over the years, it became associated with various activities and clubs, including the Brighton and County Polo Club, founded in 1904, and possibly the earlier International Gun and Polo Club from 1874.

A unique feature of Preston Park is its year-round greenery, sustained by an underground water source known as the Wellesbourne, often referred to as Brighton's Lost River. This ancient water source runs beneath the park and other areas of Brighton, occasionally causing flooding, as it did in 2000 after heavy rainfall.

Preston Park is a hub for many annual events, including the finale of the Brighton & Hove Pride parade, the starting point for the Brighton Marathon, a circus during the Brighton Festival, and the Take Part sports festival. Additionally, since April 2013, the park has hosted Parkrun, a weekly 5 km run open to all participants every Saturday morning.

Across London Road from the park lies The Rockery, Britain's largest municipal rock garden. This area was originally a wooded space known as "The Rookery," which was transformed into a landscaped rock garden in 1935. The Rockery features winding pathways and streams and remains a tranquil complement to the bustling activity of Preston Park.