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Arnos Park Action Group

Arnos Court Park

Project Coordinator: Ken Taylor



At the request of a local community group, I have been researching the origins and history of the old wall on the boundary between King's Road and Arnos Court Park. Old photos that show the wall - particularly the gates that were demolished in the 1970s - would be very useful.

If you remember, or know someone who remembers the wall in the first half of the 20th century, or know what happened to the end that is now truncated by the footpath to/from Knowle, you may have a clue to shed light on a key phase in its history. Every piece of the jigsaw counts.

Information about other parts of the boundary would also be of interest - for example the high wall that ran alongside the A4 Bath Road when Arnos Court was a convent. There is some concern about the future of the King's Road wall, so please do not delay getting in touch. Thank you.

Another part of the park that is currently under consideration is the so-called Nun's Walk - the path beside the boundary wall with the hotel (and, further along, the TV studio). The path is a bit overgrown and is edged by bushes (apparently the remnants of a privet hedge), some mature trees and, in places, by metal railings. It leads uphill toward the cemetery of Holy Souls. Any information about or 20th century photographs of this feature could be very helpful as an understanding of its history may well decide its future.

There is much more of interest in this public park, so research into the boundary is a simple first step. Other aspects that invite investigation include the parch marks revealed on the aerial photography published online by the Know Your Place project. They are best seen at maximum magnification here (or, using the Silverlight plug-in, here) - use the "Addresses" option at the top of the left-hand navibation panel to search for BS4 3HQ, the adjacent hotel; then click on the aerial map option, and drag the park upwards into view.

These marks appear to represent a wide range of buried features, and may include ornamental gardens belonging to the 18th century house, and perhaps, traces of earlier occupation. A site such as this invites a desk-based assessment followed, if appropriate, by a geophysical survey.

If you have any information to contribute about the history of this site, including old photographs, memorabilia, and memories, etc, or are interested in helping find out more about this site, please contact the project coordinator, above.



Credits
Photo — King's Road boundary wall, from Arnos Court Park (© Ken Taylor 2011).

Text — Ken Taylor (updated 05.02.12)