Elsecar
Elsecar has close historic ties with Wentworth, having been the location of many of the Fitzwilliam family’s early industrial ventures. Although now built up and merged with the nearby town of Hoyland, Elsecar still retains a number of rows of attractive stone-built cottages originally put up by the Fitzwilliams for their workers, along with Milton Hall (originally built by the 6th Earl to house an industrial exhibition in 1886).
Elsecar Heritage Centre
A permanent reminder of the Fitwilliams’ influence on the village lives on today in the justly popular Elsecar Heritage Centre. The centre is housed in former industrial buildings and features a number of permanent exhibitions includng the Elsecar Steam Railway (which starts from what was once the Fitwilliam’s own private railway station), a preserved Newcomen Beam Engine and a Living History Centre. There are also regular events such as Classic Car weekends and Thomas the Tank Engine days.
The heritage centre is about 1 mile from Wentworth village and is clearly signposted from the M1. By train it is a short walk down the hill from Elsecar station.
Elsecar Park and Reservoir
Elsecar also has a very fine park, built in the traditional style with a bandstand and childrens playground. The park also has a nine hole pitch-and-putt course.
Adjacent to the park is Elsecar reservoir, originally built to service the Dearne and Dove Canal which runs from near the Heritage Centre. The reservoir is now used partly by local anglers and partly as a nature reserve. Pictures in the Heritage Centre show that the “beach” on the reservoir was once a popular spot for local day trips!
Elsecar Web Link
For more comprehensive and up to date coverage of everything in Elsecar we recommend elsecar.org.uk.
Posted on March 20th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Just wondering if anyone knows where Evan Terrace was in Elsecar. Its on the 1911 census and i know it is no longer there. Many thanks
Posted on September 18th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I wonder if anyone knows number 7 ARMROYD LANE, Elsecar? My Grandmother Vera Levitt lived there as a child. Thank you.
Posted on November 6th, 2010 at 7:36 am
I am looking for information on a William Eyre 1791 born Milton & died & lived in Alderthwaite near Elsecar Pond he lived with in his family of 7 children & wife Martha according to 1841 census. He died between 1841 & 1851 as in 1851 Martha moved to Stubbin with some of her family & William was not in 1851 census. I am trying to find out who is William,s parents were all I know they were from Hoyland area, William & Martha were my 3x gr-grandparents, I know their children were christened in Wentworth Church Thank You
Posted on November 13th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I am looking for information on the Hanson’s and in particular Martha Hanson who was born in Skiers Hall Elsecar in 1832. At 9 yrs old she was living there with the blacksmith’s family. She moved away and was married in Sheffield but returned and had a son Thomas Hanson Howe in Bradford in 1953. She may have worked at Wentworth Woodhouse.
Posted on January 15th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
A Wood Says:
Posted on March 20th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Just wondering if anyone knows where Evan Terrace was in Elsecar. Its on the 1911 census and i know it is no longer there. Many thanks
Evan Terrace was immediately above Foundry Street which is still there but without its two foundries. Evan Terrace was commonly known as “Shitten Alley Row”. Its posh name was never used.