Looking back on Walsall Arboretum’s 150-year history

Over the years, the Arboretum has transformed alongside the community it serves, morphing from a limestone mine in the 1830s to a green lung recognised as an ancient tree site today. In this article, we'll delve into some of the key events that shaped this space over the last 150 years.

Limestone mining origins - 1835

Originally a private estate, the land which the Arboretum now sits on was dramatically transformed in the 18th century when limestone mines were dug, leaving behind flooded pits. These pits however found new life as recreational spots. Residents of Lichfield Street, who tended allotments nearby, turned the area into an unofficial park, using the lake for fishing and swimming.

Recognising the growing need for public green space, the Walsall Arboretum and Lake Company was formed in 1871, leasing the land and naming it as an ‘Arboretum’ for the first time.

A tragic event shapes the future - 1845

This tragic event from the park's early days serves as a reminder of the past. In 1845, Mayor of Walsall, John Harvey, drowned while taking an evening swim in Hatherton Lake. During the search for his body, a 19-year-old man also lost his life when their boat capsized. The incident highlighted the need for safer recreational activities, contributing to the push for a more developed public park.

The iconic bandstand - 1873

The Arboretum's iconic bandstand boasts a long history within the park. The first bandstand was built in 1873 for a modest £105. It was later replaced in 1899 by the present-day bandstand, a cherished landmark that continues to host performances to this day.

The Arboretum’s grand opening - 1874

The Arboretum was officially opened on 4 May 1874 by Lady Hatherton. A celebratory gala, comedy entertainment, and a Military presence from the 7th Dragoon Guards marked the occasion. The park aimed to be a refined escape, a world away from the era's rougher pursuits with dogfights and bull-baiting being popular activities of the time.

From punishment to public park - 1904

1904 saw Walsall's public stocks relocated from the High Street to the Arboretum's lake area. These weren't just for show – the multi-purpose device served as both stocks, where offenders were held by their ankles, and a whipping post for public punishment.

Instillation of the ‘Devil’s Toe Nail’ - 1925

A large glacial boulder known as the ‘Devil’s Toe Nail’ was installed close to the bandstand in 1925, moving from where it was originally located in Fullbrook. It was carried from North Wales to the Midlands by slowly moving ice sheets during the great ice age.

Walsall illuminations dazzle crowds - 1951

The ‘Walsall Illuminations’ became a much-loved annual tradition for the Arboretum. First debuting 1951, the event transformed the Arboretum at night with 3,000 coloured lights, floodlit flowerbeds, and even water displays by the fire brigade. Sadly, the event was cancelled in 2012 due to mounting financial losses.

Secrets beneath the surface - 1965

Divers exploring Hatherton Lake in 1965 discovered a fascinating relic: a submerged mineral railway line which ran from the pits near the Boathouse, across Lichfield Street to Littleton Street. They also found springs at the bottom which would imply that there would have been trouble with flooding if pumps were not operated at all times.

The restoration programme - 2010

The early 2010s saw a significant transformation for the Arboretum with a £7.6 million restoration program funded largely by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This ambitious project was completed in 2015 with the opening of the much-loved visitor centre, breathing new life into the park for future generations.

A new tradition ignites - 2016

While the illuminations may be a cherished memory, a new tradition has emerged to light up the Arboretum: the annual bonfire and fireworks event. Launched in 2016, it drew 8,000 people and has grown in popularity. Even a two-year hiatus due to Covid couldn't dim its appeal. The 2023 bonfire ‘boomed’ with 15,500 attendees across the Arboretum and King George V Playing Fields.

Ancient trees and anniversary celebrations - 2024

Thanks to the dedication of volunteers Mike Glasson and Richard Roberts, Walsall Arboretum and Country Park was designated the first Ancient Tree Site in the West Midlands by the Woodland Trust in 2024, a testament to its remarkable collection of veteran and ancient trees.

2024 also marks a momentous milestone: the Arboretum's 150th anniversary! To celebrate this occasion, a blockbuster event will be held on Saturday, 4 May, exactly 150 years since the park's grand opening in 1874.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Walsall Arboretum

Walsall Arboretum is a rural retreat at the heart of Walsall town centre. First opened in 1874, it now spans 170 acres and includes Hatherton lake, the country park and the extension.

The site attracts over a million visitors a year, with people of all ages enjoying events such as the annual bonfire and fireworks, funfairs, fun runs and activities such as: cricket, tennis, bowling, informal football, walking, cycling, and running. The Sunday parkrun attracts hundreds of people every week. In summer, the splash pad and children’s play area also attract thousands of visitors. With a trim trail, skatepark and multi-use games area there really is something for everyone. And, in amongst all this activity, there are spaces for quiet contemplation and opportunities to enjoy the vast array of plants and animals that inhabit the space.

The Arboretum will mark its 150th anniversary in 2024 with celebratory events throughout the year. www.go.walsall.gov.uk/parks-and-green-spaces/visit-our-parks-and-play-areas/walsall-arboretum

Find out more about Walsall's parks and green spaces here: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/parks-and-green-spaces

Arboretum facts and figures:

• Attracts over 1 million visitors each year.
• It spans 170 acres and includes the heritage core of the park, the extension as well as Walsall country park.
• The Arboretum is part of the UNESCO Black Country global Geopark with spans the region. It was formerly the site of limestone mines that were active between 1770-c.1835
• Holds a place on Historic England’s National Heritage List for England, a unique register of our country's most significant historic buildings and sites
• Home to 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs. A report published in July for the Ancient Tree Inventory revealed that the Arboretum boasts the highest concentration of ancient and veteran trees in the entire region
• Home to the ‘Devil’s Toe’ – a glacial ‘erratic’ boulder which was carried from North Wales on an ice sheet around 400,000 years ago