Park hosts public events to mark 150th birthday

The Jubilee Bridge in Belle Vue Park was built in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Lowestoft's first public park is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a host of activities and tours.

Belle Vue Park was opened in 1874 by the Suffolk town's Improvement Committee to create what they described at the time as a symbol of the area's growing civic pride.

Events to mark the park's birthday include historical tours, a photography trail, an information stall from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and children's activities.

There will also be an interactive collection of photos and memories online that have been submitted by members of the public.

Belle Vue park was opened in 1874 and was the first free public park in Lowestoft

Belle Vue Park is located in north Lowestoft, next to the Ravine and above Sparrows Nest Park.

Jane Dawson, who lives nearby, said: "Living opposite the park is amazing. We see deer here, we have ring-necked parakeets visit us and just having the tranquility over there is wonderful."

Michael Winter, a spokesman for Lowestoft Town Council said: "We are very proud of all our parks and public spaces but this year the focus has been on Belle Vue Park to mark its 150th anniversary

"The pavilion has just been refurbished, there's some new planting going on and there are also plans to improve some of the paths to make them more accessible."

The Jubilee Bridge, built in 1887, was closed in 2020 for safety reasons but reopened in February 2024 following a restoration project.