Wharton Park is the main public park in Durham City, covering approximately 4.7 hectares. It was formerly under the ownership of William Lloyd Wharton as part of the extension of his grounds at Dryburn House in the mid-nineteenth century. It was he who financed and designed the original park layout made available to the people of Durham in 1857. The original park layout, as well as its most significant landscape features, are largely intact today and serve as a reminder of the role that the park has played in the social history of Durham City. The park is located just to the north of the city centre within the Durham City Centre Conservation Area. There are a number of listed structures within and around the park. There is a single Grade II listed structure, the belvedere or Battery, within the park and several listed buildings and structures around the park which have a significant relationship to it. After a restoration of the park, in May 2016, Wharton Park re-opened with a new heritage centre, café, outdoor fitness equipment, improvements to the play equipment and restoration works to the amphitheatre, miniature car track, putting green, battlements, footpaths, signs and entrance features. The ‘People’s Park’ of Durham City is fast becoming a destination in its own right with plans to assist in achieving and retaining Green Flag status and re-establishing itself as a venue for events, activities and live performances. In line with the original aims and objectives of William Wharton, this project will contribute to improving the health and fitness of the local community which is just as important today as it was 150 years ago.
