The Avenham Park Pavilion
What's it for?
The Pavilion was built in Avenham Park during phase one of the Heritage Lottery Funded heritage restoration of Avenham and Miller Parks. Designed by award winning architect Ian McChesney, The Pavilion is the hub for the Avenham & Miller parks events programme and is one of the many reasons the parks won the Green Flag Award for the first time in 2008. It houses a cafe, multi-functional space, meeting room and park office.
The Riverside Cafe, located in the Avenham Park Pavilion, continues to attract a growing number of customers. The cafe is open for business throughout the summer months between 10am and 5pm, and throughout the winter months between 10am and 4pm, 7 days a week. It offers delicious food and drink and a friendly and relaxing atmosphere in the centre of the stunning, award-winning parks. The building has Wi-Fi access available to all users. The menu is freshly prepared using local suppliers and, where possible, Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance ingredients.
Tell me more...
The Pavilion in Avenham Park is the work of Architect Ian McChesney who won a Royal Institute of British Architects competition in 2005 to design the new park building, which forms the centrepiece of the parks' recent restoration. The competition attracted over 60 applications from around the world with the winning design being chosen by an independent panel of judges, which included a representative from the Friends of Avenham and Miller Parks.
The sweeping curves, cantilever roof and wood, glass and render construction stand in stark contrast to the Grade II listed Victorian parks. However, despite the modern design and materials, The Pavilion fits beautifully in to its surroundings. It nestles at the bottom of the steep hill used for Egg Rolling at Easter, overlooking the river and surrounded by the magnificent lime trees that stretch along the river in Avenham Park.
The shape of the building when looking from above is a tapering crescent or horn shape which reflects the sweeping lines of the park itself. The entire roof structure is made of timber and the abundance of wood throughout the building places the building firmly in its park setting. As a result, The Pavilion was shortlisted for the Wood Awards and RICS Awards. Civic Trust Award.
It cost £1.3million to build, which is quite a modest budget for a modern architectural structure, and includes a cafe, public conveniences, a meeting room, function room and intimate outdoor performance area. Since opening its doors in April 2008 it has been used for a variety of public events, meetings, conferences, concerts and theatre performances. The cafe opened in September 2008 and has been celebrated for its unique and distinguished location.
Can you hire The Pavilion?
The Pavilion function room and meeting room are available to hire and host a variety of events throughout the year. Please ring the Park Office on 01772 907737 for further details, you can also find out more information on the Parks Service website. Please click on the following link for directions to the parks.