Hotham Park
{{Short description|Public park in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Hotham Park
| image = Hotham Park bandstand after refurbishment.jpg
| image_size = 270
| image_alt = Hotham Park
| image_caption = Hotham Park bandstand after refurbishment, pictured in 2018
| map = West Sussex
| map_width =
| type =
| location = Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{Coord|50.7875|N|0.66836|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline}}
| area =
| created = {{start date|1947}}
| operator =
| visitation_num =
| status =
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| open =
}}
Hotham Park is a public park in the seaside town of Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England, in the United Kingdom. It was established by the founder of Bognor Sir Richard Hotham, who formerly resided at Hotham Park House (built 1792) which still stands today. Since becoming a public park in 1947 Hotham Park continues to be a popular local attraction for residents of the town as well as holiday makers. The park is located nearby to Butlins and the town centre.
Description
In 2018 an adventure golf course opened, named Widforest Falls and themed on forest animals from around the world.{{Cite web|url=https://isslifestyle.co.uk/hotham-parks-exciting-new-adventure-golf-course-wildforest-falls-set-to-open-13th-february-2018/|title=Hotham Park's Exciting New Adventure Golf Course, Wildforest Falls, Set To Open 13th February 2018 {{!}} ISS Lifestyle|website=ISS Lifestyle|language=en-GB|access-date=2018-02-23}}
Hotham Park's playarea was refurbished in 2018 with the support of the Hotham Park Heritage Trust. The refurbishment includes a new ability swing for wheelchair users which can be accessed using a RADAR key.{{Cite web|last=Council|first=Arun District|title=News Archive|url=https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive|access-date=2020-08-03|publisher=Arun District Council|language=en}}
Hotham Park Cafe opened on 22 July 2015 following a £400,000 investment in the park by Arun District Council.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arun.gov.uk/hotham-park-cafe-officially-open-22-07-2015|title=Hotham Park Cafe officially open 22 07 2015 - Arun District Council|author=Arun District Council|website=arun.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-23}} Designed by architect Phil Brown and built by Falcon Homes the cafe was 'Highly Commended' at the Sussex Heritage Awards in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive/hotham-park-caf-commended-in-heritage-awards-1561|title=Hotham Park Café commended in heritage awards {{!}} News Archive|author=Arun District Council|website=arun.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-23}}
Other amenities in the park include a boating lake, miniature railway, picnic areas, wildlife pond, arboretum and formal planting. Hotham Park is maintained and managed by Arun District Council in partnership with the Friends of Hotham Park and principal contractors Tivoli Group Limited.
The 'Discovery Garden', an informal garden with sensory plants and learning zone, is used weekly by a local Forest School to teach.
Bognor Regis Parkrun operates each week, often attracting over 300 runners.
Hotham Park is a Green Flag Award winning park.{{Cite web|last=Council|first=Arun District|title=News Archive|url=https://www.arun.gov.uk/news-archive|access-date=2020-08-03|publisher=Arun District Council|language=en}}
Gallery
Ability Swing.jpg|New Ability Swing – operated using a RADAR key
New picnic area.jpg|New picnic area
Toddler climbing frame.jpg|Toddler climbing frame
New seesaw.jpg|New seesaw
New accessible roundabout.jpg|New accessible roundabout
New climbing frame.jpg|New climbing frame
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/things-to-do/hotham-park-p212561 Hotham Park] at Visit South East England
- [http://www.hothamparkheritagetrust.co.uk/ Hotham Park Heritage Trust]
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/40770745@N06/sets/72157624198870403/with/4720255427/ FLICKR Photo Album]