Excellent News!

NATIONAL LOTTERY CASH WILL RESTORE BIRLEY SPA GROUNDS TO FORMER GLORY
A £97,170 restoration project is set to see the grounds of Sheffield’s historic Birley Spa Bath house restored to their former glory.
Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust were successful in their bid to The National Lottery Heritage Fund which will also include the research and celebration of the importance of the Victorian bathhouse that was originally built for Charles Herbert Pierrepont, 2nd Earl Manvers and the Lord of the Manor of Beighton in 1842.
Made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the three year project aims to open up access to the grounds to a whole new generation of visitors and will train up scores of volunteers to become local history researchers.
A Friends of Birley Spa Group was originally formed in 2018 with the aim of working alongside Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust and Sheffield Parks, to look at ways to restore the grounds for community use.
Birley Spa Bath House – which was originally a hotel with spa bath underneath – has had mixed fortunes over the years.
By 1895 the baths were failing to make a profit and only a single plunge bath remained in use. The hotel itself was closed around 1878 and it is believed Earl Manvers removed the marble from the building himself for personal use.
In the 1920s and ‘30s the grounds were opened up to children and included a wishing well, sand pit, swing boats, a paddling pool and the large lake behind the house was used for boating and fishing.
When the Second World War began in 1939, the grounds were closed.
The bath house, on the other hand, became a private dwelling for many years and received Grade II listed status in 1973.
A restoration project in early 2000s saw a major overhaul of the bath house itself.
Diane Leek, chair of Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The grounds of Birley Spa have been a fantastic resource for the community in decades gone by and this money means they can be restored to their former glory and become an amazing asset once again. This far reaching project also allows us to explore the fascinating history of the area and allow members of the public and scores of schools to become a part of it.”
David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Sheffield Countryside Conservation Trust with their restoration project for Birley Spa, with money raised by National Lottery players. This project will ensure that the Trust can safeguard this important local landmark for future generations, and provide opportunities for the community to explore and celebrate the Spa’s heritage while creating stories for the future.”

We are so proud to be part of this, but it wouldn't have succeeded without the support of our local and wider community, anyone who's been to an event, posted a photo or supported us in any way YOU have made this happen.
Thank you!