St. Ives Country Park

Quick description

What’s there?

St Ives Park is the perfect destination for people who want to spend time in nature and explore the great outdoors. Spanning 217 hectares, this vast woodland park is the largest in the district. Visitors come from near and far to walk and cycle amongst the dense woodland and wildflower or sit back and enjoy the breath-taking views.

Younger visitors have plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure in the large, state-of-the-art play area. The Estate is also home to various independent groups and clubs, including angling, horse riding, archery, and golf. So whether it is to exercise, play, eat or just relax, this park has something to offer everyone.

Play area 

This large play area includes a wide variety of play equipment, including a zip line, tyre swings, climbing structures and a tunnel slide. In 2023 a section of the play area was redeveloped to include play equipment for children aged up to five/six years. The new equipment was built with natural materials, including a swing and climbing structures.  

Walk and cycle   

Walkers and cyclists are welcome at St Ives. Some routes are open to all traffic, and some are restricted, so take note of the signs. There are a number of self-contained circular walks within the estate. For more information, visit the walks area of the website. Dogs should always be kept under close control.  

Bird watching  

This wooded area is made up of mature coppice, mixed broadleaf and coniferous surfaces, bramble patches and glades. Due to its diverse range of habitats, St Ives Woodlands makes for an excellent spot for bird watching. Common sightings include woodland birds, crows, jackdaws, nuthatches, woodpeckers, grey partridges and buzzards. 

Fishing – Coppice Pond  

Bingley Angling Club have sole access to fishing at Coppice Pond. Find our more, including how to become a member here: https://bingleyanglingclub.co.uk/  

Archery  

Aire Valley Archers is a run from the grounds of St Ives. Find out more, including how to become a member here:  https://www.aire-valley-archers.co.uk/  

Horse riding  

St Ives Equestrian Centre offers horse-riding lessons, stables, dressage, saddlery and livery facilities to its clients. Visit the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/StIvesEquestrianCentreLivery  

Golf  

Bingley St Ives Golf Course is laid out in a single loop formation which leaves the clubhouse to move through parkland, woodland and moorland before returning again to the clubhouse to complete the 18 holes. Find out more, including membership information here: https://www.bingleystivesgc.com/  

Café  

The Ivy Kitchen is a dog-friendly café based in the heart of St Ives Estate. Visit the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/theivykitchenstives/  

History

Bronze Age to Middle Ages  

For at least 4,800 years, humans have called Airedale home, and St Ives has been witness to their presence throughout this period. Artefacts of pre-historic origins found on the estate demonstrate that people resided here during the late Bronze Age, between 2800 and 500 BCE. 

During the early Middle Ages (600–1066), Halton was part of the Kingdom of Northumbria and England. According to the 1066 Doomsday Book, the land belonged to Gospatric, son of Arnketil, Earl of Northumberland. However, Gospatric’s involvement in the unsuccessful uprising of 1068 caused his lands to be passed to Erneis de Buron, who had fought alongside William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings. Approximately a hundred years later (1165), the land was granted to Rievaulx Abbey and was in their possession for the next 355 years until their dissolution by Henry VIII in 1536-1541. 

The Ferrands  

In 1635, the Ferrands bought St. Ives, then called Harden Grange. It is said that there is a link between General Fairfax and the Civil War, though this is uncertain. Sarah Busfeild (née Ferrand) inherited the property from her uncle. Upon Sarah’s death in 1854, her son William Busfeild Ferrand was the next in line. William subsequently changed the family name to Ferrand.

Modern day St Ives  

In 1974 the City of Bradford Council acquired the grounds from Bingley UDC and the grounds opened to the public. At this time a golf course was added (now a private club) and certain areas and buildings leased out to private companies. 

Natural history

Birds  

At St Ives, birds are a noticeable presence during every season. Jays can be seen flying from woodlands to open fields to store acorns. If you pay close attention, you might even see the slender bill of a treecreeper searching for its insect food on tree trunks. During winter, finches can be heard and seen in treetops, gathering the small seeds from alders, birches, and conifers. 

Woodland  

The woodlands across the site may vary depending on the soil conditions, aspect, planting stock, and management. Here, native trees and non-native species like larch, spruce, and horse chestnut are present in a wide variety. 

Invertebrates  

Watch out for the curious-looking dark-edged bee-fly in early spring along sun-drenched woodland rides. 

Fish  

At St Ives there is a population of the ever increasingly scarce, white-clawed crayfish.  

Plants  

No matter the season, the beauty of plants can always be appreciated. From the mature deciduous trees in winter to the English bluebells of spring and the ferns of summer, the woodlands are full of life and colour all year round. 

Resources

Friends Group  

Visit the Friends of Bradford District Parks page to find out more about activities and initiatives coordinated by the Friends of St Ives.  

Accreditation and awards

What’s on

Visit the things to do area for details of all events.    

Friends of St Ives  

Events regularly posted on the Friends group Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheFriendsOfStIvesEstate