Hundreds gathered at Cirencester Park to protest against the Bathurst Estate’s decision to end 326 years of free public access, igniting a debate on the right to England’s green spaces.
Hundreds of people convened at Cirencester Park, marking a significant protest against the newly introduced entry charges by the Bathurst Estate, which has owned the park since 1695. This decision ends a 326-year tradition of free public access to the park, sparking a widespread debate on the rights to England’s green spaces. The protest, organized by the group Right To Roam, saw chants of “Whose park? Our park” and signs advocating for free access to nature. Protesters, including residents from across the West Country, gathered to express their concerns over the impact this move could have on public access to green spaces, emphasizing the essential nature of unrestricted access to the outdoors for all.
The event’s organizer, Jon Moses, pointed out the historical connections of the park’s ownership to the profits from the transatlantic slave trade, underscoring the importance of maintaining public access to such historically significant sites. Despite the criticism, Lord Bathurst defended the imposition of charges, stressing the necessity of evolving to sustain the park’s future, citing maintenance and operational costs as key reasons for this pivot.
The park’s new policy requires pedestrians to pay £4 for a day pass, facilitated by the introduction of electronic gates, a move that has ignited a fierce debate about the commercialization of access to nature and the erosion of the longstanding social contract between landowners and the community. This incident at Cirencester Park reflects broader concerns regarding restricted access to green spaces across England, with campaigners advocating for more inclusive policies that ensure the public’s right to roam and enjoy the natural environment.
This dispute highlights growing tensions over the balance between private ownership and public access rights, raising significant questions about the future of access to England’s green spaces, historical sites, and the broader implications for communal health and well-being.
