After W.H. Radford & Son had been appointed by Sir Jesse Boot in 1920 to undertake the layout of Highfields Park and the construction of University Boulevard this civil engineering company commissioned this image of what the finished scheme might look like. At this stage it was envisaged that the project might incorporate a tram line running alongside the new road from Lenton to Beeston. Clearly this didn't happen - at least not until the twenty first century.

An early shot of the paved pedestrian section of University Boulevard taken soon after its completion. Highfields Park is behind the iron railings on the left and this is the section of roadway between the main entrance and Beeston Road.

The boulevard looking westwards towards Beeston as it looked in 1927. Over on the University College campus work is still underway on the construction of the Great Hall. It should be noted that the entire length of University Boulevard was a single carriageway when first opened.

Probably taken in 1928 this photograph shows the new lighting standards erected either side of the boulevard. These were installed during the second half of 1927. Just prior to their installation a news item in an edition of the Beeston Echo published in July 1927 stated they would be 'high concrete standards erected on both sides of the road only a few yards apart. On each standard there will be a lamp containing six incandescent gas mantles, which are reputed to give a brilliant light.'

The gas lamps on University Boulevard remained in use until 1949/50 when the road was turned into a dual carriageway and electric lights were then installed. The only surviving examples of these original lighting standards can be found just inside the pedestrian entrance to Highfields Park although these have now been refurbished and fitted with electric lamps as can be seen in this 2023 shot.

University College's new campus and buildings, Highfields Park with the University Boulevard seen here in the foreground as seen from the air in April 1928. This image is taken from Historic England's collection of aerial photographs. Click here to see their original image.

The image shown in this picture postcard was probably taken in the early 1930s. Off to the left is what was originally conceived as the main entrance to Highfields Park. In late 1927 a minature road island was created at this point which intended to slow down all road traffic travelling along the boulevard. Illuminated by four gas lamps positioned on the island it is just visible off to the right in the background to the photograph.

This photograph was clearly taken on University Boulevard when some official convoy is making its way along the road. Initially we thought it must date from 1928 when King George V carried out the official opening of the University College on its new site at Highfields. However contemporary newspaper reports make it clear that the royal party never actually travelled along the Boulevard. As for the royal visit to Nottingham in 1949 by Princess Elizabeth as part of the city's quincentennial celebrations she never came near University Boulevard. Any suggestions welcome.

Over the years the road surface on University Boulevard had gradually deteriorated. It had not helped that army tanks brought in for repair at the Chilwell Depot were subsequently treated to a test run on the boulevard and the tracks of the tanks tended to tear up the tarmac. In 1949 it was decided that the road should be turned into a dual carriageway by creating a central reservation of some six feet and the two carriageways widened by cutting away five feet of the grass verge on each side. At the same time it was decided to install new light standards powered by electricity and positioned on the central reservation. This photograph shows work underway on relaying the road surface on what will become part of the northern side of the boulevard.

This is an undated picture postcard - but what we can say is that it cannot have been taken before 1950 as it shows University Boulevard with its central reservation, electric light standards and the road now split into the dual carriageways.

This 1956 fashion shot was taken by Arthur John Webb on University Boulevard on the layby in front of the main entrance to Highfields Park. Passing by in the background is a Barton's bus. The vehicle immediately behind the model is a Singer SM1500 motor car. Photograph reproduced courtesy of Jonathan Webb.

This 2008 photograph of University Boulevard was taken in the month of March which means the flowering cherry trees that line the pedestrain entrance to Highfields Park can be seen in bloom in the middle distance.

The view looking westwards down the middle of the Boulevard. Usually this road would be clogged up with vehicles but their relative absence is explained by the fact that this and the previous photograph were taken one Sunday afternoon, when most motorists were otherwise engaged.

Extensive work had taken place to permit the new tramline to run alongside University Boulevard. In this photograph taken in 2014 the tram track etc. is nearing completion and a maintenance vehicle is actually using the tram track to make its way along the line.

In this 2016 shot of University Boulevard we are positioned just east of the new University of Nottingham tramstop which can be seen on the right of the photograph. The line of the boulevard had to be relocated southwards to accommodate the presence of this tramstop.

For this 2017 shot of the main pedestrian entrance on University Boulevard now covered in a layer of snow we are indebted to Claire Pendrous. This and many other photographs taken by Claire can be viewed on her Flickr account where she uses the nom-de-plume of 'Lady Wulfrun'

This row of Lombardy poplar trees used to dominate the western end of University Boulevard as can be seen in this 2008 photograph.

Moving slightly further towards the Beeston end of University Boulevard, from 2009 we can now spot the roundabout that controls access to the other roads that meet up at this point.

Taken in 2012 we are looking at the University Boulevard roundabout from Queens Road East.

The tram to Beeston and on to Toton Lane pulls out of the University Boulevard tram stop in 2016.

Viewed from the University Boulevard tram stop in 2023 we focus on the final section of University Boulevard which leads on to Woodside Road, Lenton Abbey; Broadgate and Beeston; Beeston Lane and the western entrance to the University campus.

A 2016 shot of the University Boulevard tram stop.

Looking back at the University Boulevard tram stop in 2016. Beyond the tram stop some of the houses lining the eastern end of Lower Road can be seen. The trams go along Lower Road Fletcher Road and on to Middle Street as they make their way to the Beeston Interchange. Lower Road/Fletcher Road, however, is not a through route for other motor traffic making its way into Beeston.

Looking westwards along the tram line towards the University Boulevard tram stop. A long line of mature poplar and lime trees had to be felled to make way for the tram and the tram stop. As you can see in this 2016 photograph replacements had already been planted either side of the line.

The pedestrian crossing at the western end of University Boulevard in 2023 - much used by those heading into or out of Highfields Park and the University campus.

A 2023 shot looking along the joint cycle track and pedestrian footpath. The tram line itself is out of shot off to the right. On the other side of the boulevard is the bus stop for those catching a bus into the city. Many of the buses passing along the boulevard in 2023 still refer to this stop as Nottingham University Main Campus Paddling Pool (Stop UN02) even though the paddling pool in Highfields Park has long since disappeared.

This 2012 shot makes clear that this is the main entrance to the Highfield Sports Ground belonging to Nottingham University. Stretching off into the distance is the fencing behind which the tram line will be constructed. Standing in the way of the tram line is this property belong to the University. In due course it will be demolished and off to the right its one-storey replacement has already been built.

Much the same view as the previous photograph but taken in 2016. The large green box is the centre of the photograph controls the electrical supply to the overhead tram wires.

Moving further along the cycle track in 2012 with the fenced off section of the proposed tram line off to the right. Little or no work has yet taken place on this portion of the boulevard.

Moving to the boulevard's central reservation in 2023 we get a good view of the avenue of beech trees either side of the road.

A tram makes its way along the side of the boulevard on its way to Toton Lane. A third section of track is just visible at this particular point which allows trams to be moved off the main line in case of problems.

This shot focuses on the cycle track and the mature beech trees either side of it. Most of these beech trees would have been planted in the early 1920s making them more or less centenarians by 2023 when this photograph was taken.

Another shot in 2023 looking along the cycle track but unlike the previous photograph it is not quite so blissfully quiet as a number of vehicles make their way out of the city.

This 2012 shot, looking across to the two sports pavilions belong to the University of Nottingham, indicates that the line of the tram tracks has now been marked out just beyond but nothing else has yet to take place.

The same view as the previous photograph but taken in 2023 shows the tram lines now a permanent feature.

The original pavilion, still in use in 2023, was provided by Sir Jesse Boot, back in the 1920s when he also provided most, if not all, of the funds to build the University College's new Trent Building in the same decade.

Opened in 2010 by ex-England rugby player Brian Moore, this is the new 'Vaughan Parry Williams Pavilion' named in honour of Vaughan William's - the University's former Director of Sport who held the post for some thirty three years.

The absence of trees in this 2012 photograph, taken in the vicinity of the Beeston Hockey Club complex, clearly demonstrates that there were parts of the boulevard where they all had to be felled. This was apparently because the tram line needed to be moved closer to the road rather than plough its way across the club's international-standard water-based hockey pitch.

As can be seen in this 2016 photograph the odd tree has been planted beside this stretch of track but not many.

This rather more impressive avenue of cedar trees is located between the tennis centre on the left and the parks department's depot off to the right. Photograph taken in 2023.

Looking just beyond the access road to the Beeston Hockey complex in 2012 work has clearly started in removing some of the topsoil, etc., while the trees which are to remain are fenced off and fairly safe from harm.

Looking the other way in 2016 we see the completed tramline stretching off into the distance. A new set of traffic lights make crossing the boulevard at this point much safer.

This 2012 photograph focuses on the stump of one of the trees that will need to be removed in due course.

The tree still standing in this 2012 photograph will ultimately be removed but it was possible for a number of new trees to be planted alongside the tram line in this part of the boulevard.

The section of tram line as it looked in 2023. Some of the replacement trees can be seen off to the left of the photograph.

Those now leaving the Tennis Centre or the Science Park now do so via this new section of road just glimpsed on the right of this 2016 photograph.

This is the Tottle Brook, having made its way through Highfields Park and under University Boulevard, it emerges at this point whereupon the course of the brook swings eastwards and flows past the backs of some of the house on Beeston Road and part of the Science Park complex.

This part of the boulevard on its northern side, as seen in this 2012 photograph, will subsequently host the University of Nottingham tram stop.

The same portion of the boulevard in 2023 as in the previous photograph with the University of Nottingham tram stop now centre stage.