Larkhill Gardens
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Larkhill Gardens is one of Liverpool's most unusual open spaces with a large portion of this small site occupied by a pond. Formerly part of one of the city's park estates, the area was transformed in the inter-war years with the introduction of large housing estate and these communities continue to benefit from Larkhill Gardens, with its blend of greenspace and water providing an oasis in the urban landscape.
Larkhill Gardens is significant as one of the few Neighbourhood Parks within the Larkhill Housing Estate and wider Norris Green and Clubmoor areas.
It is is also of importance as an area of accessible freshwater. Aside from the ponds in Croxteth Country Park, the city's parks include 13 ponds and lakes, however there is little additional aquatic habitat within the city.
Green Flag Award
Larkhill Gardens is a Green Flag Award winning park, presented for the quality of its management and maintenance.
History and Development
Historically a wooded private estate which featured ponds, which were originally marl pits - 'Club Moor Pits' on an a mid 19th Century map - this area extended beyond the current park boundaries to incorporate the present Muirhead Avenue Gardens and Larkhill Library sites, the latter including Lark Hill House, a mansion built in the 18th century.
Radical change to this rural idyll occurred in 1920 when following the First World War a general shortage of housing led to an expansive building programme in Liverpool. By 1922 around 740 homes had been built with the main criterion for tenancy of these municipal housing being the ability to pay rent. As a result the majority of early tenants were skilled working class or unskilled but with steady employment.
By 1928 the modern suburban development included a new highway (Muirhead Avenue, which incorporated part of the former carriage drive to Larkhill House), open spaces (Larkhill Gardens and Muirhead Avenue Gardens) and a public library and community centre.
Residential development continued apace throughout the interwar years with the creation of the even more extensive and dense Norris Green Estate adding around 8000 new properties.
It is likely that the increased population and pressure on the Gardens led to a rationalisation of the pond features resulting in the pond as we see it today.
Dates in Larkhill History
1768 - Jonathan Blundell, the 'coal king' builds 'Lark Hill'
1776 - Larkhill sold to Richard Heywood, a Liverpool banker
1800 - Following his death the property passed to Richard's brother, Arthur Heywood
1836 - Arthur died with no natural heir and the Estate passed to his niece Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur's eldest brother, and her husband Hugh Jones.
1842 - Following Hugh's death the house passed to their son, Richard Heywood Jones.
1871 - House passed to Richard's son, Benjamin Heywood Jones who was still resident in 1900.
1880s - Entrance gates and lodge constructed at Tue Brook.
1906 - Maps still show the Estate to be wooded with 'fish ponds' (once known as 'Club Moor Pits')
1921 - Estate acquired by Liverpool Corporation from Arthur Heywood Jones
1923 - Larkhill Gardens established
1928 - Larkhill Library opened in part of Larkhill House with the rest used as a community centre.
1962 - Larkhill House demolished after dry rot discovered
1999 - Lake refurbishment works undertaken
Location
Larkhill Park is between Adshead Road and Larkhill Lane in Clubmoor, about 3km from the City Centre.
OS Grid Ref : SJ338 326; 393 278
