The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced grants for two more historic green spaces – Astley Park in Chorley, Lancashire and Hylands Park in Chelmsford.

The 18-acre Astley Park has received an HLF Stage One Pass of £1.9m as well as a development grant of £102,000.

It is the setting for the Jacobean Astley Hall which houses Chorley’s museum and art gallery, but the park has fallen into disrepair and visitor numbers have fallen.

The grant will be used to restore the historic character of the Grade II listed park – including a lake of medieval origin, a waterfall and a rose garden. Better visitor facilities will also be developed including pathways, lighting and signage.

The 570-acre Hylands Park, home to the V music festival, has received a £3m grant which Chelmsford Borough Council will use to restore the formal pleasure gardens as well as bringing the estate’s history to life with educational material, the return of Suffolk Punch horses and opening gup original farm buildings.

Part of the grant will also be used to restore the grand staircase of the Georgian neo-classical Hylands House in the park allowing public access to the first floor of the visitor attraction.

The HLF has already committed over £320m to the regeneration of parks all over the UK.

Lorna McRobie, HLF landscape policy advisor, said: “Parks are an important part of the nation’s heritage and their role as green havens is as relevant today as they were in the past.

“HLF’s continued programme of investment is benefiting hundreds of communities across the UK be revitalising our much-loved parks and ensuring they are protected for future generations to enjoy.”