Bowden Housteads Woods

Bowden Housteads Woods is an ancient woodland in Sheffield located between the districts of Darnall and Handsworth, bordered by the Sheffield Outer Ring Road, Sheffield Parkway, and Handsworth Road. The woodland has multiple walking paths that wind through its mature trees and offers parking near its entrance points.

An 1853 Ordnance Survey map recorded a sandstone quarry within the woodland that supplied stone for many older buildings in the Handsworth area. This quarrying was a significant part of local activity and shaped how the landscape developed over time.

The streets in the nearby Triangle Estate carry names inspired by tree species, keeping the woodland heritage alive through place names like Larch Hill and Willow Drive. This naming reflects how deeply the forest shaped the area's local identity.

This woodland is freely accessible to everyone and has numerous walking paths that are easy to follow through the trees. Parking spaces are located near the entrance areas, making it straightforward to plan a visit.

Local miners built an open-air swimming pool in 1926 that was fed by natural spring water and surrounded by a fence made from railway sleepers. This unusual recreational feature shows how residents found creative ways to use the woodland for community activity.

GPS coordinates: 53.37550,-1.40312

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:21