Rock Park
Rock Park was left in perpetuity as a Charitable Trust to the Mayor and Aldermen of Barnstaple Corporation, their heirs and successors, by William Rock.
Today, the Park is owned by Barnstaple Town Council and managed by the Rock Park Trust Management Committee.
The Park was gifted for community use, and information on applications for use or hire of the park are linked below.
Conditions of Use or Hire of Rock Park
Please print the application form and fill in.
(forms cannot be completed online)
also available
Poilcy information for Holding a Small Fun Fair in Rock Park
Agreement form for holding a Small Fun Fair in Rock Park
Return the application form to:-
Miss N Lewis, Rock Park Trust Officer, Barnstaple Town Council,
Barum House, The Square, Barnstaple, Devon. EX32 8LS
Tel No: 01271 373311
email: natasha.lewis@barnstapletowncouncil.co.uk.
The Rock Park Trust Management Committee will meet on the following dates:-
Wednesday 25th January 2012, the Guildhall at 1pm.
Wednesday 4th April 2012, the Guildhall at 1pm.
Basketball Hoop in the Park
A new basketball hoop has been installed in Rock Park thanks to a request to the Rock Park Trust from local children Kiera and Cameron Osment. The hoop is an excellent addition to the park facilities and is situated near the Kiosk and play area.
Take along a ball and have a go!
Rock Park is a Netmums winner!
The members of the popular website www.netmums.com have voted Rock Park as the top free place to go in North Devon.
The award is extra special as it is a “Mum’s choice” award and acknowledges what a great place the park is for families to visit.
New Use for Lodge
The Town Council has now established its ownership of Rock Park Lodge, which has lain empty and disused for many years. This Grade II Listed building sits at the entrance to Rock Park on Ladies Mile and was previously the park-keeper’s home.
The building is now used by a community arts group as their headquarters. It is hoped to restore the wood panelled rest room in the lodge for public use, subject to the Town Council having sufficient funding available.
The panelled room in Rock Park Lodge.
Tea in the Park
Visitors can take a break in the delightful surroundings of Rock Park. The kiosk, next to the children’s play area, will be serving refreshments including hot and cold drinks, ice creams, snacks, cakes and baguettes.
Rock Park - a Short History
Bestowed by Victorian benefactor William Rock this expansive pleasure park was opened with great public celebration. The grand obelisk at its entrance honours the opening in August of 1879. Ruined cottages, a factory and yard and an old limekiln were demolished in order to make way for the park and the ‘wide and noisome beach and water courses’ as they were at the time described, were tidied and drained.
William Rock (from the Museum of North Devon collection) Obelisk at Park Entrance
Sited in the Park is also the town’s war memorial and a Millennium Stone dating from 1930. This was the year that the town celebrated a 1000 years as a borough on the basis of an alleged Charter from King Athelstan in 930. As part of those celebrations swimming baths and a boating lake were constructed within the park, but, sadly, neither exist today.
(Excerpt from the Barnstaple Heritage Trail)
Rock Park Swimming Pool 1930 (from the Museum of North Devon collection)
Rock Park Boating Pool 1930 (from the Museum of North Devon collection)
View from the War Memorial
Old Iron Railway Bridge, now a footpath, Rock Park.
Working for the Community
