Queen’s Park, Brighton

Queen's Park in Brighton is a historic public park with a rich history dating back to 1825. Originally acquired by Thomas Attree, a property developer inspired by Regent's Park in London, the park was intended to be a residential area surrounded by detached villas. Attree hired architect Charles Galloway to design the layout and named the park after Queen Adelaide, the consort of William IV. Queen Adelaide patronized the German Spa at the park's south end, which operated until 1886 and later became a mineral water plant until 1960. Today, the site houses the Royal Spa Nursery School.

Attree's grand residential vision for Queen's Park never fully materialized, and the surrounding housing now consists mostly of late Victorian architecture with some 20th-century additions. Notable features include Pennant Lodge, the former home of Charles Freshfield, and the Pepper Pot, a distinctive structure initially believed to be a wind-powered water pump. The Pepper Pot has served various purposes over the years, including as an artist's studio and public convenience, but it has been sealed and unused in the 21st century.

Today, Queen's Park is a cherished green space featuring a large pond, which has its bit of local lore. A popular myth suggests the pond was created by a First World War plane crash, though this is untrue. The myth likely stems from a real incident in 1923 when a biplane piloted by retired Air Marshall Phillip Austin crash-landed in the pond without causing any damage.

The park is well-equipped with amenities for the community, including a children's play area, a café, tennis courts, a former bowling green, and a scented garden designed for people with disabilities. There is also a large dog-free area and a section left untended to promote wildlife. The park's bowling green, once used by Kemp Town Bowling Club, was also a filming location for the 1987 movie "Wish You Were Here" starring Emily Lloyd.