Dewsbury Museum and Gallery

Crow Nest Park in Dewsbury opened to the public in 1893, founded upon the landscaped gardens of a country house estate. The grounds have been landscaped since the 16th century, gradually transforming the area from farmland into parkland.

Green Flag Award winning Crow Nest Park is one of Kirklees primary parks. It is set on a sunny south facing hillside with outstanding views over the surrounding towns and countryside and contains a number of major attractions including an adventure playground, museum, formal lawns, greenhouse with fernery, café, sports facilities, walled wildflower garden and an ornamental lake.

The park was designed to bring a feel of the countryside into what was, at the time, a very industrial area, with most of the town’s residents employed in the many nearby textile mills.

The mansion house was opened to the public as a museum and tearooms together with a newly created ornamental lake. A conservatory was built, together with a bandstand, produce garden, 2 terraced walks, a woodland garden, and promenades. There was originally a park lodge at each of the four entrances, two of them still remaining. 

Over the next 40 years a cricket ground, tennis courts, bowling green, playground and allotments were added. Since this time the park has remained ever popular with visitors and has recently seen something of a renascence with tree planting and pathway works, as well as the Adventure Playground and refurbished greenhouse.

Adventure Playground

An Adventure playground was opened in 2011 and activities provided on site for children and young people. The emphasis at the adventure playground is based upon the ‘three frees’ principle. This means that children are free to come and go as they please, children are free to choose what they would like to do and finally, the adventure playground is free of charge.

For contact details and to find out about opening please see the link under Further Information.

Refurbished Greenhouse

The glass house suffered from significant fire damage in the autumn of 2008 with one wing being destroyed. The glasshouse has now been rebuilt and working with the friends of group has been filled with a selection of temperate plants including a fern collection. New automatic venting has been installed and the electrics and plumbing updated. One wing has been arranged so that small classes and demonstrations can take place. The greenhouse is open from 10am till 3pm Monday to Thursday.

Dewsbury Museum

The park is also home to the former Dewsbury Museum. Originally opened to the public in 1896, it closed in November 2016.

The Friends of Crow Nest Park