Lowe Hill in Clarence Park is the site of a motte and bailey castle probably constructed around 1150. It has extensive areas of ridge and furrow on the slopes of the hill which are clearly visible. In 1953 excavations were carried out on the hill and medieval pottery was found. At the present, the Friends of CHaT Parks are applying for funding to carry out archaeological investigations on Lowe Hill. [Read more…] about Lowe Hill / Cannon Ball Hill
Park Facilities and Attractions
Miniature Railway
The miniature railway is situated by the children’s playground near the Athletics Stadium in Thornes Park. It is run by the Wakefield Society of Model and Experimental Engineers and was first operated in June 1958. The track runs for about half a mile and is open during the summer months. In 2020 a raised track was begun to be constructed for additional runs.
Music
The newly refurbished Bandstand, opened in 2014 is used for a whole range of performance events. This facility while owned by Wakefield MDC is managed by the Wakefield Music Collective and is the base for the annual Clarence Music Festival. [Read more…] about Music
Pet Cemetery
The pet cemetery in Thornes Park lies to the left of the path going behind the Aviary. This was where the Gaskell family laid their family pets to rest in the grounds of Thornes House. The largest of the headstones is engraved to “My Mouse” and [Read more…] about Pet Cemetery
Rhubarb Sculpture
The rhubarb sculpture was carved in locally grown oak by Handspring Design of Sheffield to mark the start of the Sustrans cycle route 69 to Horbury Junction, which opened in 2005. It was created from steel and oak and stands 3.6 metres tall. The artwork for the giant rhubarb came from two primary schools in Thornes and two in Horbury and their designs were developed by Graham Ritchie, of the Sheffield-based design company Re-animate. The second photo shows the rhubarb sculptures at the junction of Southfield Lane and Daw Lane on the Horbury bypass, with the rhubarb in its early stages of growth.
