Thornes Park, Clarence Park and Holmfield Park - CHaT Parks
Thornes Park, Clarence Park and Holmfield Park
Thornes Park is the home of Wakefield Council’s Thornes Park Stadium. There are Indoor and outdoor tracks, a sports hall and fitness facilities.
Clubs based at the stadium include: Wakefield Gymnastics Club, Wakefield Junior Triathlon Club, [Read more…] about Athletics Stadium
The old Aviary in Thornes Park was rebuilt in 2010 as a joint project between Friends of CHaT Parks and Wakefield Council with the help from Howarth Timber of Doncaster Road and B & Q of Cathedral Retail Park. This new aviary shows birds from around the world in their many sizes, shapes and colours. [Read more…] about Aviary
The amphitheatre in Clarence Park is an outdoor arena for public events. Together with a flat, well drained area for performances, the amphitheatre is bounded to the south by an embankment and seating terraces affording good views of the arena. [Read more…] about Amphitheatre
The original bandstand on Lowe Hill was an octagonal-shaped bandstand built in 1893 and was given to the park by Colonel Gerald Milnes Gaskell of Lupset Hall at the time of the opening of Clarence Park in 1893. However, concerts held at it attracted up to 2,000 people collecting on the hill slopes for the evening band concerts. It was realised that the site was too restricted in size with the danger of crowds being jostled down the slope. In 1924 a scheme for a new bandstand was approved by the Council [Read more…] about Bandstand
Thornes Park has two crown green bowling greens. The Friends of CHaT Parks man the ticket office opposite the bowling greens and can hire out bowls. This service begins normally from between Easter to September.
**News 2025**
The pay and play games are open every day of the week during the school holidays. The ticket office is open from 10.30am to 5pm for pitch and putt, putting, tennis and bowls and equipment can also be hired.
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.
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
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.
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
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
© 2026 Friends of Clarence Holmfield and Thornes (CHaT) Parks. Registered Charity Number: 1166255