Broomhill Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Broomhill Park |
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| Type | Public woodland park |
| Location | Ipswich, Suffolk |
| Created | 1925 private land sold |
| Operated by | Ipswich Borough Council |
| Open | All year |
Broomhill Park is a lovely woodland park located in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It's a great place to explore nature! Long ago, people called it 'Broom Hill'.
You'll find many old oak trees and tall Scots Pines here. The park is also home to Broomhill Pool, a special outdoor swimming pool that's very old and important (it's called a Grade II listed lido). A group called the Broomhill Pool Trust is working hard to open it again for everyone to enjoy.
History of Broomhill Park
For a long time, Broomhill was a private forest on a hill outside Ipswich. In the 1800s and early 1900s, some of the land near the hill was sold to build houses. For example, Broom Hill Road was built in 1888.
In 1925, a man named George Sherrington sold Broom Hill to the Ipswich Borough Council. This made it a public park for everyone to enjoy.
A new main road, called Valley Road, was built around Ipswich in 1926. This road actually split the park in half. Now, there's a bigger part of the park north of Valley Road and a smaller part to the south.
Football History at Broomhill
Broomhill Park has a cool connection to the famous football team, Ipswich Town Football Club!
The Ipswich Town Association Football Club played their very first matches at Broomhill. This was from 1877 to 1883. The land belonged to George Sherrington, who was a big part of starting and running the club in its early years.
George Sherrington and his brother, William, both went to Ipswich School. They also played for the Ipswich Town Association FC in the 1870s and 1880s. The players used a shed at the Inkerman Pub, which was just across the road, as their changing room.
In 1883, Ipswich Town AFC moved to their new home ground at Portman Road. After they moved, the Broomhill ground was then used by the local rugby club.
Later, in 1888, the Ipswich Town Association Football Club joined together with the Ipswich Rugby Club. This is how the Ipswich Town Football Club we know today was formed!
What to Do at Broomhill Park
Broomhill Park is mostly a natural woodland, so it doesn't have special buildings or playgrounds. But that's what makes it so great for exploring!
It's a popular spot for people who love to walk. Many people bring their dogs for a walk here too. It's also a fantastic place for spotting birds and insects.
Kids especially love the park because they can play in natural sandpits. They can also climb on tree roots and run around in the soft, green grass. It's a perfect place for outdoor adventures!
Right next to the park, on Sherrington Road, there's a public library called Westbourne Library. It's thought that this building was first built in 1938 as a special unit for cleaning things.
