The historic 18th Century Leasowes Park in Halesowen

There is a large park near Halesowen called Leasowes Park, close to Lapal in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. The Dudley No 2 Canal passes through the park. Although sections needs restoring. Designed by the poet William Shenstone between 1743 and 1763. The landscape ranks in importance along with Blenheim and Stowe. Halesowen Golf Club is based in this wonderful park.

Leasowes Park

My visit to Leasowes Park in Halesowen was during February 2018. Depending on which bus I got via Quinton in Birmingham, I would have got off near the eastern end of the park, but later got another bus back from the western end. I would have got the 11C to Bearwood, and waited for a 9 or X10 on Hagley Road West (opposite Lightwoods Park) towards Halesowen. I think I ended up getting a 9 to Leasowes Park, and later an X10 back into Birmingham.

 

Now for some history (taken from Wikipedia). The park, also known as The Leasowes, was and estate in Halesowen, now in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, but historically in the county of Shropshire. It contained a house and gardens. It is the home of Halesowen Golf Club and is a Grade I listed park on English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens.

The parkland was designed by the 18th century poet William Shenstone between 1743 and 1763. After Shenstone's death in 1763, the house and gardens were taken over by Edward Horne, who demolished Shenstone's house and built a new one on the same site in 1776. There was also a walled garden. Future US Presidents Adams and Jefferson visited The Leasowes in 1786.

The property was sold in 1789 to Major Francis Halliday who made major changes to the house and parkland. He died in 1794 and Edward Butler Hartopp became the owner of the estate in 1795. Until it transferred to Charles Hamilton in 1800. Then in 1807 it passed into the hands of Matthias Attwood. But by the 1820s the park was in a state of ruin and desolation.

The Anstey College of Physical Education was housed here between 1897 and 1907. Halesowen Golf Club bought part of the site in 1906. Halesowen Council bought The Leasowes in 1934 (since taken over by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council). Since then the estate has been managed as a public park, with part of the site leased to the golf club.

 

OK, now it's time to go back to my February 2018 visit to Leasowes Park. I would have probably got off the no 9 bus on Manor Lane, then walked up Kent Road, until I entered the park at this gate.

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A Leasowes Park noticeboard. Not too readable with this glass on top of it, or it might have been the light from the sunshine.

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Heading along a muddy path past the trees and the fences.

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From the path at the top, there was some good views towards Halesowen Town Centre.

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And beyond Halesowen Town Centre was the Hagley Obelisk to the far right (on the top of the distant field).

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Zoom in to the Hagley Obelisk. Which is Grade II* listed. It is ¾ of a mile from Hagley Hall. Dates to the mid 18th century and made for George, First Lord Lyttleton, of sandstone ashlar.

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I got to these steps which would take me down to the next level of the park.

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The steps heads sharply down the hill.  There is other paths to get down there if you don't fancy using these steps.

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It was a nice sunny day in February, as the path winds around past the trees.

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A reminder that a golf club is nearby.

BEWARE DANGER FLYING GOLF BALLS

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At Halesowen Golf Club a yellow flag pole in one of the golf holes on the golf course.

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The first look at the Beechwater Pool. There is more lakes to see in this landscape.

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There was streams leading to Beechwater Pool. As a lady walks her dog on the path to the left.

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A stunning view of Beechwater Pool

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Now a blue flag pole at Halesowen Golf Club.

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One of the entrances to Halesowen Golf Club.

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Passing the golf clubhouse known as The Leasowes. Dudley MBC have placed a blue plaque here for William Shenstone. The house is Grade I listed in the Queen Anne style. Built of Stucco with three bays and two storeys. William Shenstone was born here (in 1714) but not necessarily in this house (if this was the rebuilt house of 1776 and the old one knocked down after Shenstone's death by Horne).

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Walking past the clubhouse. This way to the Professional's Shop and Locker Rooms.

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The walk continues through Halesowen Golf Club.

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A sign about the restoration of the Walled Garden in The Leasowes. News from 2015 onwards. A group of volunteers have taken to restore the walled garden after years of neglect and vandalism (since 2014). Hopefully it is fully restored by now, but they welcome donations to help with the restoration. Good luck.

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Onto the next lake (or pond). This one isn't named.

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Now heading towards the Priory Pool. This is also known as the Breaches Pool.

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A pair of swans in the Priory Pool (Breaches Pool).

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The Priory Pool (Breaches Pool) looks lovely here.

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Saw a domestic duck in the Priory Pool (Breaches Pool).

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A climbing frame for children, part of the playground / Play Area. Kids can climb up the roped net and over the wooden logs.

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A look at The Leasowe Play Area. Back when it was fine to use playgrounds. One day it will be safe to use them again in the future. It was close to the Leasowes Lane Car Park.

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Getting close to the Dudley No 2 Canal, also known as the Lapal Canal. This sign with information about the Lapal Canal Trust. Who are trying to restore the canal from Halesowen to Selly Oak.

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Just before I left the park, a quick look at the Dudley No 2 Canal near the car park. Then exiting onto Mucklow Hill. Where I would catch the X10 bus back into Birmingham.

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The Lapal Canal near Mucklow Hill. The section at this end needs restoring through a tunnel near an industrial estate. But the canal beyond here is in use though. It's just the section from The Leasowes to Selly Oak that has to be restored, and this will take years to get it reconnected to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

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Look out for more park posts coming soon in the not too distant future around the Black Country including:

• Priory Park, Dudley
• Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich
• Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge
• West Park, Wolverhampton

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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