Monument record 1160/317 - Beckett's Park (Formerly Cow Meadow)

Beckett's Park developed as an area for public promenading and recreation from the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the tree-lined walks date from the late 18th century.

{2} The laying out of pleasure walks in Cow Meadow began as far back as 1703 when the town assembly authorised expenditure of £30 in planting trees, making walks and "….other occasions and conveniences to be ornamental and useful…."; the area is now called Beckett's Park. The discovery of the chalybeate spring called Vigo Well after the victory of 1702 had roused hope of making Northampton a fashionable watering place. In 1784 a new walk was laid out from St Thomas of Canterbury's Well to Vigo Well and planted with trees "….to form an agreeable shelter…." and fenced to preserve them from cattle.

{10} The Victoria Promenade, or as it was originally called, The New Walk, was made by the corporation in 1783; the poplars, which formed the principal ornament of the walk, were a few years since cut down, being considered dangerous, and the present avenue was formed and extended farther towards the river; the ditch which protected the town on the south side was also filled up and planted as far as Cow Lane; adjoining the promenade is a fine spring of water known as St Thomas a Becket's Well; rebuilt in 1843 in the Early English style; a little below this once existed a medicinal spring called Vigo, to commemorate the capture of the city of that name in 1719; the supply of water has since been lost and the seats and the fountain were removed to improve the road; a pleasant view of Hardingstone, Delapre Abbey and the Nen is obtained at this point.

{11} Cow meadow, so called because townsfolk had the right to graze female cattle on the meadow, which in those days stretched westward towards Bridge St. Access was via Cow Lane, now Swan St. Bulls were grazed separately where Carlsberg brewery stands today, and calves in a separate meadow nearby.

[SMR Note 02/02/2009: The boundary wall on the north-east side of the park clearly shows that at one time there were steps leading down from the park to Becket's Well Mon 1160/0/63.]

{12} Beckett's Park developed as an area for public promenading and recreation through the 18th and 19th centuries. The tree-lined walks date back from the late 18th century. Flat racing took place here as early as 1612.

<1> , 1950, Ordnance Survey 2.5 Inch Series, SP76 (unchecked) (Map). SNN54700.

<2> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.23 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<3> Morton J., 1712, The Natural History of Northamptonshire, p.279 (unchecked) (Book). SNN10113.

<4> Cox Rev.J.C., 1898, Records of The Borough of Northampton, p.262-63 (unchecked) (Book). SNN3420.

<5> Eyre T. (Revised by Jefferys T.), 1779, Map of the County of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Map). SNN1852.

<6> Bryant A., 1827, Map of The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Map). SNN2733.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1811-9, First Edition Ordnance Survey Surveyors Drawings, Sheet 253 (Map). SNN104902.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1880s, First Edition OS 6 Inch Mapping Series (45SW), (unchecked) (Map). SNN61492.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1880s, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Mapping Series (45.09), (unchecked) (Map). SNN106108.

<10> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<11> Burman, A., 2004, County Tales: Give Us Back Our Pump, (checked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107480.

<12> General reference for websites, https://www.parksandgardens.org/; Beckett's Park, accessed 04/03/2025 (Website). SNN116607.

<13> West Northamptonshire Council, 2024, Local Heritage List, November 2024, p. 27 (Report). SNN116732.

Record last edited

Mar 4 2025 11:54AM