Roundhay Park - The Hermitage

Bunkers, shelters and other buildings
LS1
Posts: 2182
Joined: Mon 23 Jul, 2007 8:30 am

Post by LS1 »

I tried to post this thread yesterday but didn't seem to work!!I was wondering if anyone had any inforamtion about the Hermitage in Roundhay Park. I have tried to locate this lost structire for ages now but to no avail. The Leodis site has the picture attached. Kirby''s directories of Leeds, note that the Hermitage was located at the head of the Upper Lake. However the 1852 OS map notes the location as being in the ravine between the Upper and Lower Lakes. Photo''s do not show any defiante consistancies however and there is nothing to say where it was. Shame really as it looked an interesting structure.Also not that there is a stone retailing wall near the island int he upper lake. Wonder if it sat here?????? Please can any one help to solve this?
Attachments
__TFMF_aoynynu4i0ptmcfggamxvt2a_42e0eeea-6167-425a-a873-89ed31e45820_0_main.jpg
__TFMF_aoynynu4i0ptmcfggamxvt2a_42e0eeea-6167-425a-a873-89ed31e45820_0_main.jpg (60.14 KiB) Viewed 4106 times

rikj
Posts: 393
Joined: Tue 20 Feb, 2007 4:59 pm

Post by rikj »

This photo looks to be the same as one in "Roundhay Park - an Illustrated History" by Steven Burt. The caption for the photograph is pretty much paraphrased by Leodis, except for the hint as to the location."This summerhouse was situated at the top of the Upper Lake. The cell is built externally of boulder stones: internally it is lined with small hazel sticks, forming fanciful designs. The windows on each side of the doorway are filled in with stained glass on the borders, and plain glass in the centre."The island is at the "top" of the Upper Lake so looks like you are very much in the right area.

LS1
Posts: 2182
Joined: Mon 23 Jul, 2007 8:30 am

Post by LS1 »

I guess it probably is, however the area has changed quite a bit I reakon so I can't seem to place exactly where this pic was taken from (the one on my first post!). If it was at the head of the upper lake, on / near the island, then the path almost looks too long on the photo in relation to the way it looks now. Pic attached seems to show steps there in the background, to the left.    which could be the ramp down to the top of the lake from the car park?
Attachments
__TFMF_aj1o0gfkwafdtc45ygi5an55_df1e485d-d98b-4d7d-b180-962645e3ef44_0_main.jpg
__TFMF_aj1o0gfkwafdtc45ygi5an55_df1e485d-d98b-4d7d-b180-962645e3ef44_0_main.jpg (70.01 KiB) Viewed 4106 times

LS1
Posts: 2182
Joined: Mon 23 Jul, 2007 8:30 am

Post by LS1 »

Again this photo seems to show no direct corrolation with modern paths etc.Unless things have changed that much that it would be totall unrecognisable.Having said that I reakon the little bridge behind the structure is the stream that flows into the lake near the drop from the Mansion car parks, which has now dried up. Mystery solved?
Attachments
__TFMF_aj1o0gfkwafdtc45ygi5an55_bb5b3b94-3ce9-4830-b2c6-188369764cf6_0_main.jpg
__TFMF_aj1o0gfkwafdtc45ygi5an55_bb5b3b94-3ce9-4830-b2c6-188369764cf6_0_main.jpg (96.49 KiB) Viewed 4106 times

LS1
Posts: 2182
Joined: Mon 23 Jul, 2007 8:30 am

Post by LS1 »

Blue Cross shows where the OS Map has the Hermitage, and the Red Cross where I reakon it is conclusively. Hopefully can get some pics of the area now over the weekend when it's not too dark!
Attachments
__TFMF_aj1o0gfkwafdtc45ygi5an55_9da5cdf8-d57c-47b1-a19c-98bcfed65673_0_main.jpg
__TFMF_aj1o0gfkwafdtc45ygi5an55_9da5cdf8-d57c-47b1-a19c-98bcfed65673_0_main.jpg (101.74 KiB) Viewed 4106 times

DIVADS
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun 03 Jul, 2011 10:15 am

Post by DIVADS »

Ive just found a picture postcard on ebay that shows exactly where the hermitage was. If anyone would like to have a look its 'item number' is 300573317868.

Chrism
Posts: 1828
Joined: Sun 20 Jan, 2008 8:26 am

Post by Chrism »

Sit thissen dahn an' tell us abaht it.

User avatar
Leodian
Posts: 6477
Joined: Thu 10 Jun, 2010 8:03 am

Post by Leodian »

I just been googling Hermitage and Roundhay Park and I came across a sentence in a review of Roundhay by the estate agent Morfitt Shaw. This is the sentence:-"The Hermitage was constructed in 1911 as a summerhouse and "The Castle" was completed in 1821, was used by hunting parties. Built in 1811-26, The Mansion was the crowning glory of the park, enhanced by the beautiful Canal Gardens complete with rustic bridge and stone lined pond. Roundhay Hall (formerly Allerton Hall) was completed in 1822 and now forms part of a private hospital."I wonder if the Hermitage is that under discussion in the thread or was it another building of that name?This is the link to the review:-http://www.morfittshaw.co.uk/content/localareas1.htm
A rainbow is a ribbon that Nature puts on when she washes her hair.

User avatar
chameleon
Site Admin
Posts: 5462
Joined: Thu 29 Mar, 2007 6:16 pm

Post by chameleon »

Leodian wrote: I just been googling Hermitage and Roundhay Park and I came across a sentence in a review of Roundhay by the estate agent Morfitt Shaw. This is the sentence:-"The Hermitage was constructed in 1911 as a summerhouse and "The Castle" was completed in 1821, was used by hunting parties. Built in 1811-26, The Mansion was the crowning glory of the park, enhanced by the beautiful Canal Gardens complete with rustic bridge and stone lined pond. Roundhay Hall (formerly Allerton Hall) was completed in 1822 and now forms part of a private hospital."I wonder if the Hermitage is that under discussion in the thread or was it another building of that name?This is the link to the review:-http://www.morfittshaw.co.uk/content/localareas1.htm Very much in keeping with what I recall reading Leodian.

User avatar
chemimike
Posts: 473
Joined: Fri 14 Mar, 2008 7:23 pm
Location: Reading

Post by chemimike »

The only trouble with that date for the Hermitage (if it is not a missprint for 1811) is that it appears on the 1851 OS map below

Post Reply