Site History
The area we now know as Ravenfield Park is a remnant of a deer park owned by the Westby family, known to be living in Ravenfield before 1200 AD. It remained with them until 1749, when it was sold to a Miss Elizabeth Parkin. In 1766 Miss Parkin was succeeded by her cousin, Walter Osborne, and in 1778 the estate became the property of Matthew Worgan. Ten years later the estate was inherited by the Bosville family and remained with them until 1821 when it was broken up and sold in lots.
The origin of the ponds is as yet unknown, but evidence suggests that there were originally two, the Middle (Carp) and Great Pond, as we know them, with the small New Pond being added later. In the period 1766 to 1773 a lower, fourth pond, now named Burcliffe, was constructed along with the bridge we now use to get to the Great Pond.
During the latter part of the last century, when the River Don was grossly polluted, it was proposed to construct a 60 foot high dam just below the Great Pond to create a reservoir to supply water to Doncaster. Fortunately the scheme was abandoned in favour of building Firsby and Thrybergh Reservoirs.
Since the break up of the estate into lots, the area has had many owners and mixed fortunes and what remained of the original parkland suffered greatly from neglect.
During the Second World War the Park was initially used for army training and much damage was done by explosives. It is rumoured that the concept of the famous Bailey Bridge was developed at Ravenfield. In the latter part of the war it was used as a POW camp, with the Hall being used as officers' quarters.
Since then local vandals left their mark, one result being that the unoccupied Hall was destroyed by fire in the 1960’s.
In 1972 the owner at the time, Mr Heath, sold the valley to the then British Steel sports organisations, Phoenix Sports and Social Club and Parkgate Recreational Services, as an angling facility for their members. In the following eight years the demise continued until in 1979/80 when the angling clubs embarked on a programme of restoration and development that continues today.