Preston in Lancashire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Swiss Chalet

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 10, 2025

1. The Swiss Chalet Marker

Inscription.

The Swiss Chalet. . Built in 1850 by John Tomlinson, the Swiss Chalet predates much of the park. It is still used it was intended, to shelter from the weather whilst allowing users to enjoy the view of Avenham Park, taking in the Japanese Rock Garden and the new Pavilion., The Boer War Memorial , Made of polished pink and red granite, this memorial was sculpted by T. Hodgkinson of Preston and erected on the Flag Market in 1904 before being moved in 1925 to be replaced by the current cenotaph. It stands at 25 feet high and is in very good condition having been well maintained over the years. The Kimberley Parade, which takes place on the nearest Sunday to the 15th February commemorates the efforts of The 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. This regiment, one of the fore-runners of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was the only regular army regiment in the garrison which defended the town of Kimberley against the Boers from October 1899 until relieved on 15 February 1900. The Battle Honour "Kimberley," which was awarded to the Regiment following the siege is unique in the British Army., The Pavilion , 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 a new building, which forms the centre piece of the park's recent restoration. The competition attracted 60 applications from around the world with the winning design being chosen by independent panel., 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 helps place the building firmly in its park setting., Costing £1.3 million, The Pavillon includes a café, public conveniences, a meeting room function and 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.

Built in 1850 by John Tomlinson, the Swiss Chalet predates much of the park. It is still used it was intended, to shelter from the weather whilst allowing users to enjoy the view of Avenham Park, taking in the Japanese Rock Garden and the new Pavilion.

The Boer War Memorial
Made of polished pink and red granite, this memorial was sculpted by T. Hodgkinson of Preston and erected on the Flag Market in 1904 before being moved in 1925 to be replaced by the current cenotaph. It stands at 25 feet high and is in very good condition having been well maintained over the years. The Kimberley Parade, which takes place on the nearest Sunday to the 15th February commemorates the efforts of The 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. This regiment, one of the fore-runners of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, was the only regular army regiment in the garrison which defended the town of Kimberley against the Boers from October 1899 until relieved on 15 February 1900. The Battle Honour "Kimberley," which was awarded to the Regiment following the siege is unique in the British Army.

The Pavilion
The Pavilion in Avenham

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Park is the work of Architect Ian McChesney who won a Royal Institute of British Architects competition in 2005 to design a new building, which forms the centre piece of the park's recent restoration. The competition attracted 60 applications from around the world with the winning design being chosen by independent panel.

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 helps place the building firmly in its park setting.

Costing £1.3 million, The Pavillon includes a café, public conveniences, a meeting room function and 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2008.

Location. 53° 45.231′ N, 2° 42.141′ W. Marker is in Preston, England, in Lancashire. It can be reached from East Cliff Road.

Avenham Park and the Pavilion in the distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 10, 2025

2. Avenham Park and the Pavilion in the distance

The marker stands outside the Swiss Chalet and about 15 meters from the Boer War Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 E Cliff Road, Preston, England PR1 3JH, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North West England.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: South African War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Sikh Contribution to World War I and World War II (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Holy Child Jesus Convent and School (about 180 meters away); Derby Statue (about 210 meters away); The Italian Villa (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Robert Peel (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Edith Rigby 1872-1950 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Winckley Club and The Literary & Philosophical Institution (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map

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of all markers in Preston.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.