Croxteth Country Park in Liverpool is set to receive a £2m investment backed by the newly established Queen Elizabeth Trust, according to announcements made in September 2026. The funding marks the first project supported by the nationwide charity, which was created to honour the legacy of the late Queen Elizabeth II following recommendations from The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee.
Investment Details and Funding Sources
The financial package combines resources from the Queen Elizabeth Trust and the Lady Sefton Trust, a fund bequeathed for the benefit of the city and held in the custodianship of Liverpool City Council. The £2m injection aims to fund community improvements and shape a comprehensive masterplan for the 500-acre estate.
Located on the city’s outskirts, Croxteth Country Park draws approximately 600,000 visitors annually. However, the site presents a financial challenge for Liverpool City Council, costing over £1m a year to maintain. Past efforts to secure commercial futures for the location, including a shelved 2018 plan to convert the property into a wedding and events venue, faced hurdles. In 2020, the council allocated £650,000 for urgent repairs to the estate’s historic Elizabethan hall, a Grade II-listed building originally constructed in 1575 and occupied by the Molyneux family until 1972.
Planned Park Improvements
Subject to final agreements, the initial phase of the masterplan will focus on enhancing accessibility and community engagement across the grounds. The project lineup includes:
- Further restoration of the Community Garden to support wellbeing, volunteering, skills development, and inclusive access.
- Construction of a natural amphitheatre.
- Installation of a bicycle pump track for children and young people to encourage active recreation.
The initiative will also draft a long-term masterplan to evaluate the scale and sequencing of future work, determining the exact mix of investment required to unlock the park’s full potential.
Leadership Perspectives on the Legacy Project
Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, noted the deep local connection to the estate. Robinson stated that the park has brought generations of Liverpudlians together and expressed a desire for the site to maintain that role. He added that the support and expertise from the Queen Elizabeth Trust have galvanised the council’s ambitions for the grounds.
Sir Damon Buffini, chair of the Queen Elizabeth Trust, emphasized the values guiding the new charity. Buffini stated that the late Queen believed deeply in service and community, and the trust intends to carry that spirit forward by ensuring shared public spaces remain integral to everyday life.
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