Radstock Memorial Park

Clients: Bath & NE Somerset Council 
& Norton Radstock Town Council

The former railway station site in the centre of this small market town had lain as underused open space since the closure of the railways in the 1960’s.

The brief called for the design of a public park and garden that would reflect Radstock’s past coal mining and railway heritage, provide a new location for its war memorial as well as forming a vibrant and multifunctional focus to the town.

Within the structural framework formed by paths, stone walls and formal tree planting the scheme uses a contemporary approach in its combination of shrubs and herbaceous planting, to form all year round colour and textural interest whilst keeping ongoing maintenance to a minimum.

The Miners memorial, an artwork structure designed and created by Sebastien Boysen forms an integral part of the scheme as a landmark feature for the town. This incorporates an old coal pit winding-wheel (or sheaf).

New Leaf Studio worked as lead consultant on this project from inception through to completion of Phase I, including undertaking a series of community consultation events. The design stage encompassed a wider project with un-implemented phases including a car park that would double as an events and market space, together with an open-air stage, shelter and elliptical grass arena.