Lightwoods Park and House is located on Hagley Road West in Bearwood, Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands.

Lightwoods Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

To the back is Lightwoods Hill and Adkins Lane. Galton Road splits the park in half near The Dog public house. Beechwood Road is to the south western end of the park. Quite close to the Warley Woods. Bearwood Bus Station is to the east of the park on Herbert Road.

The park has a children's play area, Shakespeare's Garden is generally open weekdays only (not weekends) between 10.00am and 2.00pm, multi use games area,outdoor gym equipment, skate park and tennis court.

Tennis Courts at Lightwoods Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of Lightwoods Park and House

The park was historically the grounds of an 18th Century house called Lightwoods Park. It was altered in the 19th Century and is now a Grade II listed building. The house was built by Jonathan Grundy in 1780, and he lived there until his death in 1803. The house was later sold to soap manufacturer George Adkins. It passed to his son Caleb in 1865 who lived their until his death in 1902. After which the house and grounds were put up for sale. A committee was led by A. M. Chance which by public subscription sold the estate to the Birmingham Corporation in 1905 as a public park.  The bandstand featured the Birmingham Forward crest. In 1971 the house was occupied by the Hardman Company who used it as offices and studios. They vacated the house in 2008. Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council took over the park in 2010 from Birmingham City Council. In the following decade Sandwell restored the house, the bandstand and the drinking fountains.

Lightwoods House in Lightwoods Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Shakespeare Garden at Lightwoods House

The Shakespeare Garden was established within the walls of the house's former walled gardens in 1915. They were named after the bard William Shakespeare and designed in an Elizabethan theme. The gardens were restored around 2016 along with the house, and are usually open to the public during the week and are a peaceful place to sit and enjoy. It is a fantastic venue for weddings, receptions and other events.

Shakespeare Garden at Lightwoods House (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bandstand at Lightwoods Park and House

The Bandstand dates to the late 19th Century and is Grade II listed. Made of Cast Iron on an Octagonal base. It was restored by Sandwell Council in 2016.

The Bandstand under restoration at Lightwoods Park (September 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Drinking Fountains at Lightwoods Park and House

The first Drinking Fountain dates to 1903 and is located outside of Lightwoods House, and close to the Shakespeare Garden. It was restored in 2016.

Drinking Fountain outside of Lightwoods House in Lightwoods Park (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Drinking Fountain near the Galton Road extension of Lightwoods Park dates to 1906. It was restored in 2016.

Drinking Fountain near Galton Road at Lightwoods Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter at Lightwoods Park and House

Bearwood on Ice at Lightwoods Park (December 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at Lightwoods Park and House

Flower Beds at Lightwoods Park (March 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at Lightwoods Park and House

Flower Beds at Lightwoods Park (July 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Autumn at Lightwoods Park and House

Play Area at Lightwoods Park (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Events at Lightwoods Park over the years

There has been a variety of events held at Lightwoods Park over the years such as a Christmas ice rink in 2011 called Bearwood on Ice, and a summer fun fair in 2017 called Kayes Events Family Fun Fair. There was also one of The Big Sleuth bears in the park. Later another Big Sleuth bear that was in the Warley Woods was moved in front of Lightwoods House.

Bearwood on Ice

This ice rink was on in Lightwoods Park for around a week before Christmas in December 2011. It was outside of Lightwoods House which at the time was boarded up, but had black and white photographs of what the rooms inside used to look like. Around the ice rink was a Christmas market, and it was surrounded by inflatables of cartoon characters.

Bearwood on Ice at Lightwoods Park (December 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bearwood on Ice at Lightwoods Park (December 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Kayes Events Family Fun Fair

This fun fair was on during the last week of July 2017 in the extension to Lightwoods Park. It could be seen from the Hagley Road West.

Kayes Events Family Fun Fair at Lightwoods Park (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Kayes Events Family Fun Fair at Lightwoods Park (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

During the summer of 2017, for a 10 week period, there was one of The Big Sleuth bears located in Lightwoods Park.

Bear-Trix Blocker by the artist Amy Lou Holland. The sponsor was SkateHut. It was near the skate park and pavilion, down the path from Lightwoods House.

Bear-Trix Blocker (by artist Amy Lou Holland) at Lightwoods Park (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Later in 2017 after the auciton for charity, one of the Big Sleuth bears that was formerly located in the Warley Woods was placed in front of Lightwoods House.

Bentley the Bearwood Bear by the artist Rebecca Cresswell working with PAID (Positive Activities Innovative Development). It was funded by PAID and Sandwell Council. This bear wasn't part of the auction and was paid for independently.

Bentley the Bearwood Bear (by artist Rebecca Cresswell) outside of Lightwoods House (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

NHS Angel

During the summer of 2020, as we were near the end of the 1st lockdown, a temporary statue was placed in Lightwoods Park by the sculptor Luke Perry (at his factory in Cradley Heath). With the message Thank You NHS & Care Workers. It was near the Hagley Road West.

NHS Angel (by sculptor Luke Perry) at Lightwoods Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown