The Chestnut Walk is the magnificent avenue of more than 100 trees through Clarence Park, originally planted in the 1890s. Some of the old Horse Chestnut trees in this avenue are in decline and several have already had to be removed after being killed off by disease, further losses are anticipated over the next few years. The Friends of CHaT Parks would like to replace the losses with a more disease- resistant variety of Horse Chestnut which will look almost the same. Further measures can also be taken to improve the health of the remaining trees so Chestnut walk could continue into the next century.
Children’s Play Area
There is a large children’s play area in Thornes Park with slides, climbing frames, swings and see-saws for children to enjoy. There is also a smaller area for under 5s to enjoy play designed for them with small slides and rocking figures. [Read more…] about Children’s Play Area
Conservatory
Inside the Rose Garden belonging to Thornes House is a large glass conservatory which featured an array of plants, separated into three climactic zones – tropical, temperate and desert. The fifty year old building was closed in 2012 with structural problems but the Friends of Clarence, Holmfield and Thornes Parks (CHaT) group received a grant from Waste Recycling Environmental (WREN) to restore the building and work began in late 2014. The Conservatory is currently open during weekdays.
Drinking Fountain
The drinking fountain in Clarence Park was erected in 1893 as a memorial to Major Joseph Barker. Major Barker lived in Holmfield House and was a local magistrate and owner of the Thornes Mill, a worsted mill. After his death in 1892, the workpeople of the mill subscribed to the fountain which is built in granite and sandstone. Both the drinking fountain and the water trough are Grade II listed.
WATER TROUGH
Near to the drinking fountain is a raised red granite water trough, [Read more…] about Drinking Fountain
Flower Gardens
The formal flower beds are a well-known and well-loved feature of the Park. They have provided the backdrop to many a collection of wedding photographs and other memorable occasions.
The spring and summer bedding displays were a good advertisement for the horticultural skills and expertise of the Council and won awards.
The provision of the formal beds was taken over by the Friends Group [Read more…] about Flower Gardens
Football Pitches
There are 3 grass football pitches in Thornes Park. Hire details can be found on the Wakefield Council website and by contacting Street Scene Services on 01924 307332 or by email: streetscenestates@wakefield.gov.uk
Gardener’s House
The ‘Gardener’s House’ also probably dates to the late 18th century. It is situated towards the south-west corner of the park, adjacent to the former kitchen gardens of Thornes House and is said to have been the home farm house. It is constructed of red brick with a grey slate roof. A small extension to the right (north) is single storey with two windows and a lean-to roof. A high brick wall runs north from the house to form the west side of the rose garden and enclosed greenhouse area (former walled gardens). John Wilson, the head gardener to the Gaskell family of Thornes House, lived in the Gardener’s House with his family in 1913. At that time, there was a pig sty, goathouse and stable behind the house. In 2020, a blue plaque to commemorate Lady Catherine Milnes Gaskell (1836-1935) was placed on the wall of the house.
Golf
There are two ways to play golf in Thornes Park. There is a small putting green adjacent to the ticket office and also a pitch and putt course. Fees apply and tickets are available from the ticket office in Thornes Park in the summer months.
Holmfield House
In 1833. The 14 acre Holme Field estate was acquired by Thomas Foljambe, a Wakefield lawyer, Clerk of the Barnsley Canal and land speculator, and Holmfield House was built in 1833-34 as a centrepiece of the estate. He lived there with his wife and family until his death in 1851 and his wife continued to live there until her death.
[Read more…] about Holmfield House
Lake
When the parkland of the Thornes estate was opened to the public in 1924 it included two lakes with a number of islands on them. There was a smaller lake upstream of the present lake which extended almost as far as the Gardener’s House and this was filled in around 1970. A boathouse stood at the lower end of the large lake until about 1960. Now Canada Geese, mallards, moorhens and swans are the main birds to be seen on the lake. On the larger island in the lake once stood a statue of Pandora in a small temple which was eventually destroyed in severe weather in 1970.
