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Mowbray Park is one of the oldest municipal parks in North East England (Link Sunderland City Council). Originally known as The People's Park, it was opened in 1857 in response to a demand for more open spaces in the town following a public health enquiry into the cholera epidemic of the 1840s. The land was purchased from the Mowbray family, and named after them in recognition. The park was extended in 1866 to include a lake and a terrace, and in 1879 the Winter Gardens, museum and art gallery were added along the Borough Road side.

The park was damaged by bombing During World War II, and iron structures, such as railings and the bandstand, were removed to make weapons. Park staff also altered the layout in order to grow vegetables. After the war the park suffered from vandalism and neglect. However, a Heritage Lottery grant enabled the park to be restored to its former Victorian glory during the 1990s; the ornamental lake was restored and the Winter Gardens were rebuilt as the original Winter Gardens were destroyed in 1941 when a German parachute mine landed nearby shattering the glass. When the park re-opened in 2000 it was recognised by English Heritage as a park of special historic interest (Link Heritage Gateway).