History and Development

Bradgate park is situated in Kimberworth, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S61 1QJ, two miles north of Rotherham Town Centre on the A629, at the junction of Wortley Road and Bradgate Lane. It is one of ten parks controlled by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

The park has much to offer all members of the family. Young children and teens are well looked after with the provision of three new play facilities and a floodlit multi-sports court. Traditional sports, such as tennis, bowls and putting, are also provided for.

Bradgate Park is easily accessible by car or bus. The Rotherham to Thorpe Hesley bus runs frequently past the park. For information about bus times please phone the Transport Executive on 01709 515151.

The Park was purchased in 1925 by the former County Borough Council from the Earl of Effingham, The Rt Honourable Alexandra Gordon. The area was landscaped during the early thirties and the park opened in 1938. Its 13 acres (5.24 hectares) consisted of three bowling greens, two tennis courts, a children’s play area, a hard multi-play court, formal gardens, a green play area and park buildings.

In 1938/39 the bowling greens won the News of the World title for best championship greens in Yorkshire. During this period the park had a team of dedicated gardeners led by a Head Gardner who were responsible for all landscaping and maintenance of the grounds.

Local government reorganisation in 1974 meant that all parks, recreation grounds, schools and public open spaces came under the management of the Amenities and Recreation Department of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. Major decisions on landscaping and management of the park were now made by officers of the Amenities and Recreation Department.

Gardeners were based in the park until the early nineties and the introduction of compulsory competitive tendering, when the maintenance was contracted out. The area then became very run-down and neglected, and the target of vandals.

In early 2001, a small group of residents, concerned about the state of the park, formed a steering group and lobbied local residents, council officers and councillors. In October 2001 a general meeting was held and ‘Friends of Bradgate Park’ was formed.

Consultations were held in the area at open events, and all local schools and organisations were asked to become involved. As a result of our consultations, a Master Plan was drawn up for the development of our local community park. The aim of the group is to make Bradgate Park a friendlier, safer, greener and healthier place.

The group work in partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council’s Culture & Leisure department and Green Spaces Unit, and with local community groups to obtain external funding in order to improve the facilities within the park.

Life Membership to our group is free - you only need to fill in a short application form. A membership of over four hundred helps to show funders that we have local support for our projects.