Introduction
Werneth Park is a public park, created in 1936 from a 19th-century estate featuring a hall with gardens and a small park. It has a community centre and recreational and sports facilities.
As well as the Octagonal Music Rooms and a community centre, the park has central gardens, a tennis court, a monument, bowling green, football pitch, playground and parking area.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
0161 770 3000Owners
Oldham Council
Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UG
- History
The Platt, Less and Radcliffe families bought the triangular plot of land that formed Werneth Park from the Werneth Hall estate in or about 1844.
Each of the families (two Radcliffes) built "mill town mansions" in the upper reaches of the Park overlooking its large landscaped field. As the Platt and Radcliffe families moved on the Less family bought out their share and demolished their houses to become sole residents.
The music room and the conservatory of the Platt house was retained and the Less family constructed the octagonal reception room utilising some of the masonry from the Platt house.
The Platts (perhaps all the families sharing) had a stable yard on Frederick Street opposite the Platt house access to the park. Its archway entrance survives.
Dame Sarah Lees was a well known local philanthropist and on her death in 1936 her daughter gave the park to the town. The Lees family house became a study centre and natural history museum. It continues in use as an adult education centre.
- Features & Designations
Features
- Conservatory
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Recreational/sport
Principal Building
Recreational
Survival
Extant
Hectares
9
Open to the public
Yes
- References
References
- University of Manchester and University of York {A Survey of Historic Parks and Gardens in Greater Manchester} (1994) A Survey of Historic Parks and Gardens in Greater Manchester