Palmerston Park

Palmerston Park is possibly the most seen of the central parks, being the only point where the parks actually meet the busy Above Bar Street. This provides the most obvious entrance into the parks for many people new to the city. This is a densely planted area, with the main planting theme being “Ericaceous” or acidic soil loving plants such as camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and “witch hazels”. It is much loved especially when it is in full bloom in the spring. Hydrangeas and various summer flowering bulbs extend the flowering season into the summer.

Among this iconic garden sits the Viscount Palmerston Memorial. This is the statue of former Prime Minster the 3rd Viscount Palmerston. It stands seven feet high on its plinth and is made of white marble and granite. It was erected by public subscription and unveiled by the Earl of Caernarvon on 2 June 1869 four years after Palmerston’s death in 1865.

The rhododendron planting is continued along the long border on the eastern boundary which forms the backdrop to the Bandstand.

The Bandstand was built as a result of public demand and was completed in 1999. The original 1885 cast iron bandstand was sited further to the north of the park and was removed in 1940 as a result of bomb damage.

Getting to Palmerston Park

If you are planning on getting to Palmerston Park by car it may not be easy to find on your sat nav. Some nearby postcodes are SO14 7FH and SO14 1LL. The nearest car parks are on Trinity Road and Ascupart Street.

Palmerston Park is in central Southampton and is easy to get to by public transport with the nearest bus stop at the Civic Centre.