Victoria Park — Attraction in Stafford

Beautiful Park! Well kept, clean, lots of features...water going through; lawn bowling green (fun to watch these folks); cool historic features/scultures; A large bandstand, great for music, plays or just to take shelter and watch the nature around; A Bird Avairy(sp?) With protected birds...great for Kids and adults alike to get a glimpse of these gorgeous creatures, without harming them; also a nice 'park' café, so you won't thirsty or hungry; a very well kept set of restrooms - separate Mens & Womens(four stalls in each...so no long lines) and a separate disabled loo, too. Last time we came there was a FANTASTIC "Passion Play 2023" that started by "the Mill" entrance and progressed over the bridges to the Bandstand, through park to the Stafford Law Courts steps and Finale in St Mary's.... Well Done!! Such a feeling of community...peaceful, orderly and like a "Flash Mob - Play", totally captivating, once you realised what was happening, there 100s of folks that joined in and followed along and commented/cheered/jeered and sang! WELL DONE STAFFORD!!! WELL DONE SALTMINE TRUST!!! And found out this was actually 4 performances(a couple hours each) over two days (Good Friday & Saturday)....Well Done & Thank you Stafford & Team...

Beautiful park, we enjoyed a fab coffee at Arthur's, friendly staff and great service with a smile. However due to this being a flying visit as I was changing trains in Stafford to break up a 3hr journey with my little dog, I decided to go over the far side where no one was to let her have a little play with her ball. Unfortunately I had not seen the signs on the gate. As I am from the city all are parks are people, children and dog friendly and we always let are dogs go for a play, run. The next minute the park keeper appeared behind me which caused my dog to bark at him, he then said ' I deal with dogs everyday and it nearly got a kick then ' I was horrified at this. He then said ' I had been picked up on camera and should have read the signs on the gate. I apologised as I thought the children's park was the other side of the road it was alright. I apologised again and he said ' your lucky I haven't fined you ' I then left the park and then yes I saw the sign, it was missing one thing though it didn't say ' under NO circumstances enjoy yourself in this park. I won't be stopping off in...

The garden area was all closed up for 'moderisation'. A wasted 20 mile round trip. Everything I loved about Victoria park and that held half a century of memories has been demolished.

The aviary that my grandmother and mother took me to see and I took my kids has be torn down and built on. The replacement aviary look like something from Jurassic Park 3. Hideous prison like cubes, not in keeping the rural-rustic look of the bowling green's thatched pavilions. At least it will keep the Pterosaurs from escaping.

The little café unit has gone. Impractical and small but it gave a unique feel and it's tabled area was s lovely spot to view the river. All gone. The new cafe being built and will be a nice addition, as a added bonus the raised position it occupies has a lovely view of the back of the Peugeot dealership and Tesco.

I hope the loose grit-gravel on the resurfaced paths will be temporary. Not rollator & wheelchair friendly...