History & Heritage

On 8th August 1879, Huddersfield Corporation accepted the offer of 20 acres of woodland and four fields from the wealthy landowner Henry Frederick Beaumont for transformation into Huddersfield's first public park.  The land was rocky and precipitous, with splendid views over the Holme Valley.  To improve access to the site, Butternab Road was extended to the West and a new road, Beaumont Park Road, was built.  Natural falls in the ground necessitated the construction of supporting arches (which eventually held grottos with drinking fountains).  The road and arch works cost £4153, and were subsidised by a one sixth penny rise in the rates.

Henry Frederick Beaumont was born in Scarborough on 10th March 1833.  He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating in 1852.  Between 1855 and 1856 he studied practical farming in the Lothians.  He married Maria Joanna Garforth on 1st September 1857 and together they raised eight daughters and two sons.

"God Bless the Royal Pair" - the Opening of Beaumont Park
The morning of Saturday 13 October 1883 promised fine weather for what was to be a day to remember in the history of Huddersfield. The town was to host its first Royal visit, by HRH Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany (the youngest son of Queen Victoria), and his wife Princess Helene, Duchess of Albany, for the official opening of Beaumont Park. The Council had allocated £1,000 - roughly equivalent to £72,000 today - for the event, and no expense was to be spared.

In July 1884 plans were requested for the Castle Refreshments Rooms and these were approved in the October when a tender of £800 was accepted to build them.  The final cost was to come to £2,165 and this building came to be known as The Castle.

An exciting find in the upper area of the park. Our Woodland Management team found the axe head whilst preparing to plant a tree.