Park information
Winston Churchill Memorial Garden is a small urban park discreetly tucked behind the Lower High Street shops. The gardens have a number of historical elements such as the formal rose garden, pergola, clipped yew avenue and St Mary's Mission building. It is still possible to see some of the headstones along the northern perimeter wall. Find out more about the history of the park.
Rose garden
In the centre of the rose garden stands a drinking fountain which is surrounded by words, phrases and simple line drawings gathered from local children and adults to symbolise how they feel about the gardens. The images are pressed into blue engineering bricks, once used on the railway line that runs parallel to the gardens. The project was jointly funded by Cheltenham Borough Council, the Lower High Street Partnership and the Regional Arts Council.
Play area
The fenced play area with its woodland trail, living tree sculptures and spring bulbs has a variety of new play equipment. The play equipment was chosen by pupils from Gloucester Road Primary School and provides play facilities for a wider age range. New equipment includes a multi-activity unit, roundabout, inclusive play springie, swings, a pole spin and talk tubes.
Informal recreational area
The area south of the play area is used for informal recreation. The eastern boundary has been planted with native dog rose and wild flowers to enhance the urban park for wildlife and people alike.
Community involvement
If you would like to become involved with Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens, please contact [email protected].
Getting there
Find the park on Google Maps.
Bus
Two Stagecoach bus routes have stops on the High Street: bus routes 41/42 and C. There are several bus stops close to the High Street entrance. Bus route H has a stop near to the Swindon Road post sorting office
Car/bicycle
The Lower High Street entrance is situated opposite Cheltenham Garden Machinery, which is close to the junction where the High Street joins Tewkesbury Road. The park does have a very small car park next to the St Mary's Chapel building. The nearest public car park is situated on the corner of the High Street and Poole Way (at the traffic lights).
Market Street entrance is a pedestrian access. Market Street has limited parking due to restrictions.
There is access to the Honeybourne Line footpath and cycle track, a former railway line which runs along an embankment, to the west of the gardens forming the boundary to this side. This designated track, route 41 of the Sustrans national cycle network, provides a valuable link into the gardens and across the town.
On foot
All of the above entrances are accessible for pedestrians. Care should be taken if using the Lower High Street entrance due to vehicles using the driveway to park.