From utopia to reality
Occupying the entire Quinta dos Ingleses and the land in front of the Bairro da Torre, the future Carcavelos Urban Park has several possibilities, from restoring historical and natural heritage to developing modern, sustainable facilities.ntos modernos e sustentáveis.
Preservation of the woodland
Within the Quinta dos Ingleses lies a centuries-old woodland that must be preserved and enhanced – a true asset for an urban park in harmony with nature. It would be a place where people could breathe clean air, feel at peace, and appreciate biodiversity. But the trees of the Quinta offer more than that – they help prevent coastal erosion and contribute to air quality and temperature regulation in the area.
Amphitheatre
One of the park's crown jewels would be the open-air amphitheatre. It would host cultural events, seasonal performances, and intergenerational activities such as piano concerts, music festivals, theatre plays, dance shows, and film screenings. It could also serve as a peaceful reading spot or a place to rest and socialise.
Dry meadow
A dry meadow would be essential in the new urban park. Lawns are attractive and pleasant, but require an unsustainable amount of water, especially in times when water scarcity is expected. Moreover, meadows promote biodiversity, containing flowering plants that attract pollinating insects.
Dry meadows change their appearance with the seasons: they are green in winter due to rainfall, colourful in spring, and golden in summer, offering a natural landscape to be enjoyed throughout the year.
Submarine Cables Museum
Carcavelos was once a land of estates and vineyards, but also holds a rich history, with remnants still present in the Quinta dos Ingleses. The houses formerly occupied by the submarine cable station employees could be restored to host a tribute to this heritage, as an interpretive centre on telecommunications, among other possibilities.
Preservation of the Sassoeiros stream
One of the park's highlights within Quinta dos Ingleses would be the mouth of the Sassoeiros stream. The stream is already undergoing requalification upstream, allowing a more natural flow to reach Carcavelos with greater regularity.
Creating a retention basin using natural engineering methods and sustainable support structures would create a leisure area in harmony with its surroundings – a place for relaxation and connection with nature.
Besides enhancing the landscape and the sense of well-being, this area would allow observation of aquatic species, providing learning and enjoyment opportunities for all ages.
Walking and cycling paths
Urban parks are typically characterised by walking and cycling paths, used for physical activity or simply to appreciate the surroundings. These winding trails would cover the entire area of the Quinta dos Ingleses Park. Some already exist, such as the 19th-century limestone path the locals once used to access the beach, crossing the estate.
While rest areas promote mental well-being through nature observation and tranquility, paths and cycleways encourage movement and physical health—walking, running, cycling, skating—all while breathing fresh sea air mixed with the scent and coolness of the trees.
Bridges
Among other historical features, such as water supply towers, cable station houses, and the fuel depot, the Quinta dos Ingleses has three bridges over the Sassoeiros stream. From upstream to downstream, they date from the 18th, 19th, and 17th centuries. The most frequently used is the 19th-century bridge, part of the trail from Avenida Jorge V to the pinewood. The most iconic is from the 18th century, next to the fence by the school’s sports field. The 17th-century bridge, from the coastal defence fortification era, is the most hidden, located closer to the seafront road (Marginal).
All these old structures hold immense value as distinctive features of the space. Their restoration would be crucial – especially the bridges, as they offer privileged, much-appreciated proximity to water and aquatic life.
Sea Level Monument
An installation could serve as a conscious reminder of the vulnerability of the Quinta dos Ingleses, which is located on the coast and therefore exposed to rising sea levels in the coming decades. This would symbolise not only the area’s fragility in the face of encroaching waves but, above all, the importance of vegetation and soil permeability in containing increasing coastal erosion.
Gateway to a multicultural space
As a multicultural venue—a privileged location for events ranging from concerts to dance recitals, leisure activities such as walking and cycling, discovering historical heritage through a museum and remains of the past, and intergenerational gatherings where people can learn, connect, and enjoy nature—the Carcavelos Urban Park would feature an artistic gateway. This structure would pay homage to the centenary woodland and serve as an emblematic entrance to an inspiring, harmonious, and serene setting with a sea view.
Car park
For many years, Quinta dos Ingleses had a basic car park, which, though lacking proper infrastructure, allowed easy beach access, particularly for summer holiday camps transporting children. Establishing a sustainably designed car park, avoiding impermeable surfaces, would continue this practical connection between the estate and the beach.
Preservation of the wall
Alongside other historical elements – such as the workers’ houses, bridges, water supply tower, and fuel depot – which recall the presence of the submarine cable company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there remains an even older feature: a section of wall from the coastal defence line. Built in the 17th century and rebuilt during the Napoleonic invasions, it now stands near the Marginal road. This element would be preserved and highlighted, marking the fact that the Quinta dos Ingleses was once part of the Lines of Torres Vedras, thus honouring the past within the future Carcavelos Urban Park.
Plastic-free children’s playground
A children’s playground is a fundamental feature of any urban park, and it would be no different in the Quinta dos Ingleses Urban Park. Built using plastic-free materials and designed with safety and the motor and social development of children in mind, it would offer the added benefit of fresh air from the ancient trees and the nearby sea breeze.
Sustainable social and service area
Family, community, and intergenerational interaction are among the cornerstones of the Quinta dos Ingleses Urban Park vision. To support park users, a service area—including toilets and a small bar— would be created. This area would stand out for its sustainable materials, structure, and design.
Forest school
As urban areas expand, the importance of daily contact with nature for children becomes more evident. Forest school initiatives are multiplying across many countries. For years, schools in Carcavelos took pupils to the Quinta for outdoor learning. A new forest school project within the Urban Park would show a real commitment to a healthy and balanced future.
Tree top viewpoint
The beach is inseparable from Carcavelos, making proximity to the sea one of the defining features of the Quinta dos Ingleses Urban Park. A viewpoint – whether an artistic installation made with sustainable materials or a treetop walkway like the one in Serralves – would be an excellent way to showcase the magnificent potential of this remarkable space.
