The Towers Historic Park & Garden
Location/Address
None recorded
Type
Description
This Historic Park and Garden was identified and considered Locally Listed under the Sheffield UDP and UDP Policy BE21, which can be seen here: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2022-07/03-udp-built-environment.pdf . The supporting document, which contains the schedule of identified Historic Parks & Gardens, can be seen here: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-development/sheffield-plan/Historic%20Parks%20%26%20Gardens.pdf. As a result, the park and all its associated features has been included in the current Local Heritage List for South Yorkshire.
The Ordnance Survey map of 1850 shows the land between Holly Mount and Coldwell Lane laid out as a pleasure ground. It occupied five acres and was laid out by a George Woollen with terraces, natural glens, artificial caverns, woodland walks and various plantings. There was also a castellated area called 'The Roundabout' which had two levels. The later house adopted the pleasure ground as its garden.
To the south of the house is a narrow terrace with walls and metalwork near the house and basement. Remnants of the original feature 'The Roundabout' include a stone circular building, now on another property, a stone castellated retaining wall (Grade II Listed), and two small stone turrets. A large square lawn indicates the first level of the pleasure ground. A sunken garden with stone flagstones, walls and flower beds suggests the second lower level of the original garden. A stone grotto with archway remains the most interesting feature on the site. Dated 1812 it suggests this is a feature original to the pleasure ground. This and the sunken garden are now within the garden of a newer, separate dwelling. To the west of the garden, a mature beech wood with rock outcrops may represent the woods indicated on the 1850 Ordnance Survey map as Sandygate Plantation. Mature trees and evergreens within the garden suggests that it is an original feature of the pleasure ground.
The grounds are generally poor in condition but the present owners of the Towers are attempting to renovate and restore. The garden is of special historic interest for three reasons. The early pleasure ground, of which much evidence remains, is probably unique to the city. Pleasure grounds were the first forms of public recreational space in the early 19th century and were often elaborate and dramatic in style and layout. Second, there are several features within the garden of specific historic interest. Lastly, the garden is the setting for Listed Buildings and associated features.
Sheffield Directorate of Planning and Economic Development, 1997, Sheffield's Historic Parks and Gardens, 'The Towers' (Unpublished document).
Statement of Significance
None recorded
Date Listed
n/a
Last Updated
07 Aug 2024
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