Abbeyfield House emerges on local maps in the mid-19th-century marked as "Pitsmoor Abbey". Shortly after this the property was developed and around the turn-of-the-century extended and reoriented. The growth of Burngreave as a residential suburb led to the gradual sale or leasing of the many large private gardens and lands in the surrounding area and Abbeyfield House was sold to the Sheffield Corporation and opened as a public park in 1909.
Our tour for Heritage Open Days will take in the general context of Pitsmoor both as a Victorian and Edwardian "polite society" house and garden as well as its varied history as part of the public realm subsequent to its sale. There are some well preserved Victorian and Edwardian features within the house as well as a few mysteries that remain to be solved which will form part of the tour itself. Our visit will include an optional and nevertheless careful descent into the vaulted cellars of the house and will conclude in the community room where the Friends of Abbeyfield House will offer refreshments and the chance to learn about the future of the house and gardens as well.
