Take a look back at the Norwich park overlooked by three wise monkeys

Originally known as Catton Recreation Ground when it opened in 1904, Waterloo Park received its new name in 1933.

A beautiful shot of Waterloo Park, Norwich. (Image: Archant Library)

The herbaceous borders at Waterloo Park in Norwich are a fine show for this time of year. The head gardener Mr J Ireson is seen here with the gardeners cutting the hedges. Date: July 23, 1952. (Image: Archant)

This came after Captain Arnold Edward Sandys-Winsch redeveloped it during his tenure as the Norwich Park's Superintendent.

It offered visitors a space to enjoy recreation and relaxation.

There were football pitches, grass tennis courts, bowling greens and a children's playground. For those seeking a more leisurely experience, there were formal gardens - including the longest flower border in the city - a bandstand, a pavilion, pergola walks, and colonnades.

Anyone for tennis? People with rackets in Waterloo Park. Date: July 1962. (Image: Archant Library)

Families enjoying the May sunshine at Waterloo Park in Norwich. Date: May 23, 1956. (Image: Archant Library)

Children playing on a roundabout in Waterloo Park in Norwich on August 18, 1983. (Image: Archant Library)

Children enjoying the water at Waterloo Park, Norwich. Date: August 6, 1981. (Image: Archant Library)

In 2002 some cheeky characters joined the park on top of the pavilion, which was built between 1929-1933.

Original plans for the building included a monkey statue, but it wasn't until 70 years later one arrived as part of the Historic Parks Project to renovate the city's green spaces.

Norwich artist Alex Johannsen put a 21st-century twist on the three wise monkeys parable. One animal poised with a camera, "seeing no evil", another with headphones on "hearing no evil", and the third with a telephone, "speaking no evil."

Alex Johannsen with her Three Wise Monkeys sculpture, that will be displayed in Waterloo Park. Date: May 12, 2001. (Image: Archant Library)

The three wise monkeys sculpture on top of the Waterloo Park Pavilion in Norwich - (left to right) see no evil, think no evil and hear no evil. Date: 2002. (Image: Archant Library)

We hope you enjoyed these old photos of Waterloo Park from our archive and that they bring back many happy memories.

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With a canopy of pink cherry blossom overhead, this roadway through Waterloo Park in Norwich provides a pleasant picture. It also provides plenty of work for the gardener who has to keep the resulting carpet of the fallen blossom under control - Norwich. Date: May 8, 1971. (Image: Archant Library)

Youngsters enjoying the sunshine and cool water in the paddling pool at Waterloo Park, Norwich. Date: July 5, 1963. (Image: Archant Library)

Cherry trees at Waterloo Park, Norwich in 1966 (Image: Archant)

Folk concert in Waterloo Park, Norwich in 1991. (Image: Archant)

A young girl with her dog poses for our photographer beneath an arcade of pink cherry blossom in Waterloo Park, Norwich, while in the background a group of children look on in April 1961. (Image: Archant Library)

Waterloo Park , Norwich Autumn scene. Date: October 16, 2003. Photo: Nick Butcher. (Image: Archant Library)

Waterloo Park in Norwich. Date: 2005. Pictures: SONYA BROWN. (Image: Archant Library)

Waterloo Park in Norwich. Photo Simon Finlay. (Image: Acrhant Library)

Waterloo Park in Norwich. Photo: Simon Finlay. (Image: Archant Library)

Waterloo Park in Norwich. Photo Simon Finlay. (Image: Archant Library)