FARNLEY HALL PARK

Description : Farnley Hall Park, the origins of which can be traced back to the Domesday Book, is a remnant of landscaped parkland, surrounded by pastoral fringe farmland and housing. In addition to its historical importance, the Hall and surrounding parkland provide a much valued diversity and interest in the landscape.

Most of the area is contained within the old estate boundary wall, which remains remarkably intact. Outside the wall, the estate includes adjoining agricultural land. To the north east lies an area known as the "Fish Pond".

Formal lawns and gardens lie within the ha-ha, containing a number of large, open grown trees and to the south west of the house, smaller ornamental trees and shrubs predominate, backing up to an internal boundary wall, providing a walled garden effect.

To the south, it is bordered by woodland and the remnant of historic park land.

The Fish Pond was created immediately following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, as a means of providing work for the local unemployed. It is surrounded on all sides by mature woodland and during the 1980s a large number of elms were removed in phases. This has opened up the canopy and facilitated natural regeneration, which is quite vigorous.

Situated near the summit of a south facing slope, this woodland can be seen for many miles across the city and is a major contributor to the green landscape of the Aire Valley.

The woodland is used for informal recreation by a large number of the public and encloses a small stream.

Access and facilities : This woodland has Common Rights of Access and Public Rights of Way, including part of the Leeds Country Way.

Pedestrian access is from Lawns Lane, and both pedestrian and vehicle access is from Back Lane.

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