Norfolk Heritage Park has a long history, as it is one of the oldest public parks in the country. From 1999 to 2005 the park has been regenerated through a £3.6 million restoration project.  New visitor facilities have been constructed, including the Centre in the Park, a multi-purpose community building.  The park landscape has been restored to its original Victorian character. 

The overall landscape character of Norfolk Heritage Park is that of a traditional country estate, consisting of extensive rolling grassland with structural tree planting to frame vistas.  The general layout of the park was based around a circular 4m wide carriageway linked to the main entrances by tree-lined avenues. The avenue to Granville Road is of Turkey Oaks and the avenue to Norfolk Park Road is of Lime trees. 

The original park boundary is listed as Grade II* on English Heritage’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. The park contains 5 Grade ll listed buildings / structures of architectural or historical interest. 

Three things started the regeneration of Norfolk Heritage Park: the forming of a park Friends group concerned about the decline of the park, an arson attack on the café in 1995 and the start of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).  A successful bid to HLF was made for £2.3 million, which was increased with extra money from central government, the council and regional development agencies.  This brought the total project value £3.6 million.  The regeneration of the park was put into a 7 year programme and split into 4 phases: 

• Phase 1 – Restoration of the grade 2 entrance lodges.  These were built in the 1870s and are located on Granville Road and Norfolk Park Road.  Completed in 1999.
  
• Phase 2 – Construction of a new community building called the ‘Centre in the Park’, 2 new playgrounds, a car park and landscaping around old café site.  Completed in 2000.
  
• Phase 3 – New park infrastructure e.g. bins, benches, dog waste bins, resurfacing the carriageway, tree planting and lighting. Restoration of the grade 2 listed ‘stone entrance screens’ and the park entrance gates.  Completed in 2004.
  
• Phase 4 – Improvements to the sports facilities including the construction of a new sports pavilion and multi-use games area. Completed in 2005.