Designs sought to transform award-winning park

Warminster's Lake Pleasure Grounds can often be missed by visitors to the town

Ideas are needed to transform the entrance to a popular park.

It is hoped a new design will entice more people to the Lake Pleasure Grounds in Warminster, Wiltshire.

Town councillors worry that the current entrance, and nearby steps down to the green space, do not stand out and can be missed by visitors to the area.

"To be honest, the road into the park can easily be mistaken for a private drive," said Stephen Kirkwood, of Warminster Town Council.

The current entrance to the Lake Pleasure Grounds in Warminster

Mr Kirkwood hopes design ideas from across the community can bring more people to the park, which recently won a Green Flag Award for 2025/26.

He continued: "We have a wonderful park that brings joy to thousands of people, but many people, particularly visitors to the town can miss the entrance and not even realise we have a park at all.

"The entrance slightly further up Weymouth Street, where steps lead down into the park, does not obviously look like a path to the splashpad and other facilities."

A paddling pool at the Lake Pleasure Grounds, also known as the Town Park, in 1960

The idea for the Lake Pleasure Grounds, also known as the Town Park, stemmed from the coronation of King George V in 1911. Work began in 1922 following the First World War and cost £8,000.

The Lake Pleasure Grounds were formally opened by Lord Bath - owner of Longleat - in 1924. A celebration in 2024 to mark the centenary was attended by thousands of people in Warminster.

"This is an exciting time for our park," Mr Kirkwood, chairman of Warminster Town Council's parks and estate committee, added.

"We have just celebrated 100 years of this marvellous facility and all the recent investment, from the skatepark to tennis courts.

"I hope people channel their love for the park into positive views about how we can improve the entrances so more people can share the enjoyment."