Our History: Since 1956
A park given to ‘the people’
In 1956, Beale Park was formed by Gilbert Beale, who decided to give this beautiful 350 acre, Thames-side park land to ‘the people’ by converting it from private farmland into a non-profit making, charitable trust. In those days it was little more than a track and a couple of ponds.
Gilbert, being eccentric in the extreme, adored Indian peacocks and by his death, aged 99, in 1967, there were over 300 on site. His favourite, a peahen called Laura, followed him everywhere and even rode around the estate in his Rolls Royce!
When Gilbert died, his Great Nephew, Richard Howard, took over running Beale Park, part of the Child Beale Trust.
Beale Park becomes a charitable trust
Over 300 peacocks on site
Lemurs, meerkats, trains and 350 acres
A month-long 70th celebration
We’re inviting children aged 15 and under to design a birthday card celebrating Beale Park’s 70th birthday. Your design could feature your favourite Beale animals, the train, the gardens, a special family memory, or simply what Beale Park means to you.
There will be finalist for each age category, before the overall winner is selected. The winning design will be professionally reproduced and permanently displayed at Beale Park, as part of our 70th anniversary history.
Designs can be submitted here to mail to marketing@bealepark.org.uk, or handed in at the Gift Shop.
WIN A 1 YEAR FAMILY MEMBERSHIP & GET PUBLISHED
Age Categories:
under 6yrs | 6 – 10yrs | 11 – 15yrs
Join us for a month of cELEBRATION
fuLL sCHEDULE DETAILS COMING Soon…
