This is hidden in our local park with ample parking via Abbey Park Road or St.Margaret's Way near the Pastures Sports Centre. Abbey Park and the adjoining Abbey Grounds are located approx 1 mile North of Leicester City Centre, with the River Soar flowing through thus dividing the park in two. Abbey Park was purchased by the Earl of Dysart as part of a flood alleviation programme in 1876. After a competition was held for the design of the park grounds the park was then opened by the Prince & Princess of Wales on Whit Monday 29th May 1882.
The Abbey was founded in 1143 by Robert le Bossu, Earl of Leicester and was closed by King Henry VIII in 1538. The Marquis of Northampton built a mansion on the site out of old material from the Abbey. In 1613 William Cavendish acquired the property and it became known as Cavendish House. The house was used by Charles I after the siege of Leicester in 1645 and after he left his soldiers set fire to it leaving the house gutted. The charred stone window frame is still visible today.
Cardinal Wolsey died at the Leicester Abbey on 29th November 1530 whilst en route from York to London. Five weeks earlier he had been accused by Henry VIII of high treason against the crown and was due to be incarcerated in the Tower of London. His memorial can be found in the Abbey ruins and a statue stands next to the parks cafe.
In 1925 the Earl of Dysart offered the Leicester Abbey Grounds to the town council, this was accepted and the Deed of Gift for 32 acres of land was signed on 31st December. The new park was opened in April 1932 and was intended to serve as a recreation ground providing areas for sports such as cricket and tennis and at the same time incorporating the ruins of Cavendish House and the excavated remains of the Abbey.
On the 17th and 18th May 2008 over 200 volunteers helped the Springwatch Team (off the tv), transform a piece of scrubland into a haven for wildlife and is now called the Springwatch garden. The park is open from 7.30am to 6.00pm and open all year round. Today the park offers many attractions including a kids play area, pets corner, miniature railway, model boating, a friendship garden, a Lavendar maze, boating on the lake and much more including a cafe which is open 364 days a year.
The series can be done in any order and took me 45 minutes to place, well it was dark :0)
***Congratulations to Coathams and Pinky-pie-pink on being joint FTF***