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Shibden Park

Restoration project

An opportunity to re-create Anne Lister's historic landscape…

The historic legacy of the Lister family has been safeguarded as a result of a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Plans to restore the landscape and buildings have received a significant boost with the announcement of a Stage One Pass for a £3.95 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and development funding of £230,000.

The park was opened to the public in 1926 through the generosity of a local philanthropist (Councillor A.S. McCrea), friend of John Lister, the last family member to live at Shibden Hall. The hall and barn have undergone a complete restoration and there is now the opportunity to restore the park.

The restoration project at Shibden is now underway with a wide range of work to be completed over the next 12 months. The project will be completed by summer 2008, with some planting works continuing after that time.

The works will affect different areas of Shibden Park at different times, and we will be updating this page to let you know the current programme for the various areas of work.

The main elements of the project are:

The Play Area: completed October 2007

The Play Area has proved to be very popular since its completion and official opening by the Mayor of Calderdale in October 2007.

The new equipment includes a cable ride and covered slide for the more adventurous, springies and swings for youngsters, as well as refurbished toilets, inclusive play equipment and picnic area.

Shibden Hall Gardens, Terraces and Cascades: June 2007 to January 2008

Work to repair the walls and restore the planting and rockwork features in the area known as the "Wilderness Garden", the terraces and the lily pond is taking place over the summer and autumn. The construction and repairs will be completed in January 2008 and planted over the winter and following spring.

An archaeological investigation has taken place to uncover the excavations for the Gardener’s Tunnel and the terrace and lawn outside Shibden Hall. The archaeologist has recorded features within the terrace and exposed the gardener’s tunnel and walls that have previously been hidden from view.

The restoration includes the planting of an orchard on the West Terrace, the recreation of the Joshua Major designed "paisley shawl" lawn outside the hall, and the picturesque wilderness garden and cascades. The "paisley shawl" garden was designed by Joshua Major in 1855 for the then owner of Shibden, Dr. John Lister. The design echoes the serpentine shapes found in paisley fabrics and will be planted with varieties of bedding, herbaceous plants and specimen shrubs appropriate to this period. Access to Shibden Hall will be maintained throughout although alternative entrances may be used to ensure the safety of visitors.

The New Visitors Centre: September 2007 to April 2008

Work on the visitors centre, which will be situated at the entrance to the lower car park, will start in September. The visitors centre incorporates a stylish café and terrace with internal and external seating, multi-function room, ranger’s office and toilet facilities. The new facilities will be available for school groups and other visitors to Shibden, for educational, leisure and business events and activities.

The building will feature a spine of dry stone walling throughout the building and will be constructed using traditional and modern materials - stone, glass and timber.

The Boathouse, Lake and Red Beck: September 2007 to January 2008

Repairs and restoration work will start in this area of the park in September 2007 and will be completed by January 2008. This includes the construction of a new boathouse and repairs to the lake edge and Red Beck walls.

Lister’s Drive and Lodge: September 2008 to February 2009

Lister’s Drive and Bridge is to be repaired, with a new estate fence erected along the drive and across the bridge. The Lodge, which was constructed in the 1830s for Anne Lister, is to be conserved and made weather tight. A new roof will be installed, with shutters for all windows and a new door. The work to the Lodge will be completed by February 2008.

Entrances, Car Parks and Drives: January 2008 to June 2008

The majority of this work will take place from January onwards, although some work will be completed as part of earlier phases of the project. These are the final elements of the scheme and include a new entrance and exit on Shibden Hall Road, a coach drop off point and re-surfacing of paths and drives within the park.

There are other smaller items of work such as new signs, benches, bins and walling work that will take place throughout the project.

If you have any queries or would like more information about the project, contact Deborah Comyn-Platt by e-mailing deborah.comyn-platt@calderdale.gov.uk.

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