Singleton Park

Singleton Park (Welsh: Parc Singleton) is the largest urban park in the city of Swansea. It is located in Sketty.

The park comprises 250 acres of land. An ornamental garden is located to the south, near the entrance to Swansea University, and a walled botanical garden is located in the centre of the park. On the south-western corner, past the hospital and the university, there is a boating lake with pedalos available, as well as a Crazy Golf course.^[1]

History[]

The Swiss cottage in Singleton Park

The park was originally part of the Vivian family estate, which was purchased by Swansea County Borough Council in 1919 for use as a public park. The park superintendent Daniel Bliss, who was trained at Kew Gardens was responsible for the conception of the Singleton Farm botanical gardens and Ornamental Gardens. He was also the main driver behind the purchase of the Vivian estate.^[2]

There is an iconic Swiss cottage located inside the park. This was designed by architect P.F. Robinson, who designed Sketty Hall as well as a number of other lodges in the park.^[3] The cottage was badly damaged in 2010 in an arson attack but has now been restored and there are plans to use the space as a cafe.^[4] The lakeside pub, Inn on the Lake, became so well known as The Pub On the Pond that the owner later gave in and changed the name.

The park has hosted many entertainment and cultural events such as Party in the Park and Proms in the Park which were regular events by local stations The Wave & Swansea Sound and other music events held by the two stations and their partners are Escape into the Park and the former Stars in the Park.^[5] The BBC has hosted Proms on the Park and the Biggest Weekend. Artists who have held concerts in the park include Jess Glynne and the Stereophonics.

The Friends of the City of Swansea Botanical Complex have commissioned the creation of a bi-lingual commemorative panel to celebrate the Centenary of Singleton Park being in public ownership. The panel will be displayed in the Botanical Gardens. This panel will be unveiled by descendants of the Vivian family on Sunday 4 August 2019.