The Picnic House

In the days of Mr. Best’s private park the large expanses of grass were scythed for hay making. This photograph was taken in a ‘grassy dip’ where today there are several trees growing. The photograph shows a rustic-looking two-storied building that was located immediately adjacent to Hayseech Road. Mr. Best and his two adopted daughters, Alice Cockin and Emma Bryant, used it as a picnic house. By studying its location on the map you may be able to find its site – there should be evidence of a change of slope in the landscape.

Much of the east side of the Park was once part of Hayseech Common. The 1799 Rowley Regis Enclosure Act, that was completed in 1807, enabled the Revd. Barrs who was master of the Hall at this time, to purchase most of the common and add it to his land.

Local authorities that have been responsible for the management of Haden Hill Park:

• Rowley Regis Urban District Council, Staffordshire: 14^th October 1922 – 27^th  September 1933.
• Rowley Regis Municipal Borough Council, Staffordshire: 28^th September 1933- 31^st March 1966.
• Warley County Borough Council, Worcestershire: 1^st April 1966 – 31^st March 1974.
• Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, County of West Midlands: 1^st April 1974 – present day.

This project was financed by The Friends of Haden Hill Estate.

We hope that you found it informative and interesting.

Donations of historical photographs of the Park and its environs are welcome. Thank you.