Water and Wildlife

 

The lake was enlarged from a small natural pond in 1875 when Weston Park was first laid out. Two ducks and a drake were presented by the Bandon Duck Company of Ireland in 1888 and possibly their relatives are still here today amongst the coots and moorhens.

 

Originally a larger lake with a fountain in the middle, it was reduced in size when the University of Sheffield built their Library. The lake was part of Robert Marnock's 'gardenesque' design, with winding paths, shrubberies and meandering shapes. A design that has stood the test of time.

 

 

The park has a great range of trees including Oak, Beech and Horse Chestnut, some of which pre-date the opening of the park 130 years ago. The park has some particularly unusual varieties of Maple, and a fine example of a Tulip tree.

 

A large variety of wildlife uses the park, ranging from squirrels in the woodland to blue tits, robins and bull finches flying around in the trees, dragon flies around the lake and bumble bees and butterflies in the flowers.