East Park

East Park is a public park in the centre of Southampton, Hampshire, England, and one of the green spaces that make up the city's Central Parks. It sits a short walk from the shopping streets and the civic area, which makes it an easy stop for visitors who want a break from the city centre.

What is East Park?

East Park forms part of the chain of open spaces known as the Central Parks, which run through the middle of Southampton. The Central Parks as a whole are Grade II* listed on the national Register of Parks and Gardens, a status that reflects their historic design and their importance to the city. East Park is also associated with the name Andrews Park, after Richard Andrews, a former mayor of the town.

What is the history of East Park?

The land has a long past. It was originally part of Southampton's medieval field system, where townspeople held grazing rights, and the overall shape of the Central Parks still follows that old pattern of fields. Archaeological excavations in the wider area have also revealed evidence of Roman occupation, and part of the ground lies over the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Hamwic, which flourished in the 8th and 9th centuries.

The park as we know it grew out of a nineteenth-century dispute. The Marsh Improvement Act of 1844 gave the town authorities the powers needed to acquire and build on the common grazing land. After public protests, the council was obliged to set aside about 50 acres for a public park. Work began slowly in 1846, picked up pace in the 1850s, and the park was largely in its present form by about 1861. It was laid out in the 1850s and 1860s and named in honour of the former mayor Richard Andrews.

What can you see in East Park?

The park is known for its memorials. A memorial to Richard Andrews stands here, and there is a memorial dated 1914 connected with the Titanic; the Titanic Engineers Memorial is a listed monument. Southampton has a strong link to the ship, because many of its crew came from the city, so the memorial is a moving place to pause.

A rock garden dating from the 1930s is another feature, with a rockery that includes two ponds. It adds a more intimate, planted character to the otherwise open lawns and paths.

The park was originally enclosed by railings along its borders, and some of that railing was moved to East Park in 1934. In 2015 a path was re-laid, with some paving slabs replaced by mosaics designed together with local residents and an artist, a small sign of how the park continues to be shaped by the community.

Is East Park worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you are interested in Victorian public parks, local history or the story of the Titanic. It is a free, open green space in the middle of the city, good for a short walk, a picnic in fine weather or a quiet look at the memorials. Because it is part of a larger group of parks, it combines well with a stroll through the neighbouring Central Parks.

Frequently asked questions

Where is East Park? In the centre of Southampton, Hampshire, England, as part of the Central Parks.

Is East Park the same as Andrews Park? The two names are linked: the park is associated with the name of former mayor Richard Andrews, who gave his name to the park laid out in the nineteenth century.

Does it cost anything to enter? It is a public park, so visiting is free.

What is the best-known monument here? The Titanic Engineers Memorial, a listed monument dated 1914.

Is the park historic? Yes. It was laid out in the 1850s and 1860s on former common land, and the Central Parks carry a Grade II* listing.