High Hazels Park
Encyclopedia
Darnall
Darnall ward—which includes the districts of Attercliffe, Carbrook, Darnall, Tinsley, and parts of Handsworth—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It is located in the eastern part of the city and covers an area of 17.4 km2. The...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Since the 19th century Darnall has been a centre of coal and steel industry in Sheffield. High Hazels Park was built in 1850 by William Jeffcock
William Jeffcock
William Jeffcock was the first Mayor of Sheffield.Jeffcock was born in April 1800 in Handsworth, South Yorkshire, the son of John Jeffcock, a colliery owner . On 2 January 1827 he married Judith Stobart...
(the first Lord Mayor
Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor is the title of the Mayor of a major city, with special recognition.-Commonwealth of Nations:* In Australia it is a political position. Australian cities with Lord Mayors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta, Perth, Sydney, and Wollongong...
of Sheffield). In 1894, Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council
Sheffield City Council is the city council for the metropolitan borough of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It consists of 84 councillors, elected to represent 28 wards, each with three councillors...
(the Corporation of Sheffield) bought the land and house from the Duke of Norfolk
Duke of Norfolk
The Duke of Norfolk is the premier duke in the peerage of England, and also, as Earl of Arundel, the premier earl. The Duke of Norfolk is, moreover, the Earl Marshal and hereditary Marshal of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the...
and Messers Jeffcock for £10,875. In 1895 the land was first used as a public recreation ground and was classed as one of the finest parks within the city of Sheffield. The park once boasted a fine boating lake which has since been covered up.
High Hazels House
William Jeffcock
William Jeffcock was the first Mayor of Sheffield.Jeffcock was born in April 1800 in Handsworth, South Yorkshire, the son of John Jeffcock, a colliery owner . On 2 January 1827 he married Judith Stobart...
, and was built regardless of cost. There were numerous bedrooms, stabling for twelve horses, and a number of outbuildings. The arches that lead to the main entrance were built of the same stone as the Houses of Parliament. It now home to Tinsley Golf Club. The first hole is close to the house.
Following the death of Jeffcock junior the house was used as a boys boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
to avoid the house falling into ruin.
In 1901 High Hazels House became a museum which housed a highly valued, interesting collection with many rare pieces relating to Sheffield history. The museum was an extremely popular attribute to the park, attracting over 60,000 visitors a year in its heyday.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the house was used as a base for the Home Guard
British Home Guard
The Home Guard was a defence organisation of the British Army during the Second World War...
with many local residents being recruited. Unfortunately the museum closed shortly after the war, and High Hazels House reopened as the clubhouse for Tinsley Park golf course.
The Formal Garden
The Formal garden was officially opened on 16 March 2005 by Councillor Gill Furniss and John Jeffcock, the 4th great grandson of William JeffcockWilliam Jeffcock
William Jeffcock was the first Mayor of Sheffield.Jeffcock was born in April 1800 in Handsworth, South Yorkshire, the son of John Jeffcock, a colliery owner . On 2 January 1827 he married Judith Stobart...
who built High Hazels House.
The design for the Formal Garden was developed by the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
following community consultation.
Work on the garden included opening up the woodland area, new planting and restoration of seating. Local artist Hilary Cartmel designed the entrance to the garden which includes welcome in various languages.
The Sensory Garden
A sensory gardenSensory garden
A sensory garden is a garden or other plot specifically created to be accessible and enjoyable to visitors, both disabled and non-disabled. The purpose of such a provision is to provide individual and combined sensory opportunities for the user such that they may not normally experience.A sensory...
, designed to stimulate the five senses has been planted near the house.
The garden was once a rose garden, but was transformed to a sensory garden before opening on 6 June 2004.