06-07-2011
Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s 500-acre historic landscape reveals hidden secrets this summer following a major restoration project supported by Natural England, Wakefield Council and English Heritage. 150 acres including two 65-acre designed lakes and 85 acres of historic woodland will be opened to the public for the very first time over the weekend of 23 and 24 July with a series of celebratory events. Antony Gormley’s iconic One & Other, also gets a new home on an impressive beech tree, welcoming visitors into the Historic Lakes and Woodland at the Cascade Bridge entrance after being in storage for over 18 months.
In 2009, with the support of English Heritage and funding from Natural England, YSP commissioned The Landscape Agency to produce a Historic Landscape Management Plan. This provided YSP with an understanding of the historic development of the important Grade II registered 18th centurydesigned landscape of Bretton Hall, which forms the core of the YSP land holding. The Plan also recognised the importance of integrating the historic, landscape and wildlife features on which the sustainable future management of the park depends and set out a framework for the conservation and future management of the Estate.
Work began in September 2010 to restore and enhance acres of woodland around two historic lakes and to restore water management infrastructure, historic footpaths, bridges, views, follies and incredible historical features including a Greek-style summer house, a now land-locked Boat House, an Obelisk, Stepping Stones and a magical Shell Grotto.
This newly restored area is a remarkable addition and gives another dimension to the already popular Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Visitors will be able to enjoy and discover areas previously out of bounds, explore 4000 metres of footpaths and begin to uncover the 18th century landscape, as idyllic vistas and views reveal hidden depths. Historic features that were created and developed over many years as part of a private pleasure ground for generations of Dronsfields, Wentworths and Beaumonts, who lived within the Bretton Estate from 1407 to the early 1900s, can now be explored by YSP visitors.
Peter Murray CBE, Executive Director of YSP said “The timing of this project has been absolutely crucial. The support of Wakefield Council and funding from Natural England has allowed the transformation of this incredible area. In many ways is the final piece of the jigsaw in terms of reuniting the 500 acres of the historic Bretton estate. It is a significant moment and provides new areas that have never been open to the general public before.
The lakes and woodland will also provide new possibilities for artists, wonderful education opportunities and will allow us to continue providing a unique centre for art, heritage, learning, space and landscape for people to enjoy."
Financial support for the work came from Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, which supports environmentally friendly land management practices including projects that help safeguard and provide better appreciation of important historic farmed landscape.
Margaret Nieke, Natural England’s Historic Environment Adviser said “Natural England is extremely delighted and very proud of this project which ensures that YSP is sustaining and protecting this historic landscape and its wildlife habitats for future generations to enjoy. Over half of this historic area is also a farmed landscape home to mixed grazing and this exciting project will continue to have a positive effect by helping to enhance the wide range of important natural habitats on the Bretton Estate. This has been a wonderful example of partnership working that will benefit local people, visitors to YSP and improve everyone’s
enjoyment and access to the wealth of wildlife that lives in its lakes, woods and farmland”.
Councillor Peter Box, CBE, Leader of Wakefield Council said: “YSP is part of Wakefield’s unique offer to tourists coming to see contemporary sculpture. I am very pleased that the Council has been able to support this major restoration project to open up the historic woodlands and lakes of the former Bretton Country Park.
It will be an asset not only to the Sculpture Park but to the district as a whole and comes in a big year for Wakefield with the opening of The Hepworth Wakefield which has already attracted more than 100,000 visitors.”
Patrick James, MD of the Landscape Agency, noted “I am delighted that our proposed series of works, that were informed by our management plan, have now successfully been completed on time and to budget. They help open up a whole new area of YSP which not only re-connects areas of this remarkable landscape, it provides many new opportunities for YSP and its proud visitors".
The opening of the Historic Lakes and Woodland will officially take place over the weekend of 23 and 24 July with a series of special events which are themed around the newly opened 150 acres. Events include workshops led by Emily Speed, whose current exhibition Make Shift is running in the Bothy Gallery from 16.07.11–18.09.11, talks and tours led by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and an exploration of habitats with Under the Sun. There will also be a display charting the restoration project in the YSP Centre Upper Space along with a publication for sale which has been produced by YSP and The Landscape Agency.
Download high res images for press use from the media gallery