Beaumont Park | | In 1879 Mr H F Beaumont offered the area known as Dungeon Wood to the Corporation of Huddersfield to allow for the creation of the town's first public park and recreation ground. 4 years later, in October 1883, Beaumont Park was opened. | On opening, the park was extremely popular with people from across Huddersfield, but its visitor numbers dwindled after the opening of Greenhead Park, which was much easier to visit. This continues to this day, with the park being renowned as a source of peace and tranquillity.
The park was laid out on a steep slope, with only a narrow area of land at the top of the park being set out formally, and the rest being mature woodland, and home to a great variety of wildlife.
There was a main promenade, or Main Walk, together with an ornamental lake with an island, timber bandstand, ornamental bedding, and greenhouses. A great many steps and paths were built to allow people to wander through the woods and enjoy the feel of the wilderness. A gothic style building was built in the woods as a café, with a rooftop terrace from which people could enjoy the majestic views. The impressive park lodge was also built next to the main entrance.
Over the years since opening there have been other changes, including the infilling of the lake, removal of bandstand, lakeside shelter and café. However there has been the development of a range of recreation facilities for young people, including a playground and basketball area.
New developments:
One of the most notable changes in the park for many years was completed
in 2007: the restoration of the cascade and fountain. What a notable
difference to sight and sound it is to have this water feature working
again. Kirklees Council funded this project costing £138,000 with the
Friends of Beaumont Park contributing £10,880.The landscaping around
this area has been done by Kirklees.
The historic lower gates have been repaired thanks to a grant of about
£50,000 from Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund which is distributed by
English Heritage. Kirklees Council used it to organise repairs to the
stone walls and cast iron gates that form the atmospheric gateway to the
park. Following six months of hard work to clear the area of overgrown
vegetation the gates were officially opened by the Mayor of Kirklees,
Jean Calvert, on 27 April 2008
In 2009 Friends of Beaumont Park and Kirklees Council applied to
Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant to reinstate the bandstand and are now
working on the development grant prior to an application for a further
grant to complete the project. Hopefully this will be completed by
2011. In the same year the lower cascade was cleared of weeds and
replanted and the lower pond has been excavated and a pond dipping
platform is to be erected in 2010.
Kirklees Council are to build a new adventure playground which is due
to be completed by Easter 2010."
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| For more information, contact: | Friends of Beaumont Park
Friends Office,
The Depot, Beaumont Park,
Beaumont Park Road,
Huddersfield,
HD4 7AY | Tel: 01484 645217
Email: friends@fobp.co.uk | | Park Warden - Beaumont Park | Tel: 07814 387420
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Disclaimer:
Please note, in some cases, the instructions for finding venues may only be exact to the the nearest street. Also, whilst we try to ensure these instructions are accurate we cannot accept responsibility for any postcode errors, or to subsequent changes in the venue details. |
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| Venue: |
Beaumont Park,
Meltham Road,
Lockwood,
Huddersfield,
HD4 7BQ |
| Getting there: |
Map |
Directions |
| Facilities: |
- Band stand
- Basketball net
- Children's play area
- Football goal post
- Gardens
- Summer events
- Woodland walks
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