You are welcome at Homestead Park
Opened by Seebohm Rowntree in 1904, Homestead Park was York’s first, free-to-access public park.
A century later, we are still working to make Homestead Park a place where everyone is welcome, where nature and community thrive.
The park is open every day, all year, from 8.30am – 7.30pm.
Winter opening hours for the outdoor café, The Hive, are:
Saturdays and Sundays
11am - 4pm .
What can a park be?
Homestead Park is run by a team of gardeners, growers, planners and dreamers who all love this park.
We are committed to sharing the gift of this beautiful land as effectively, creatively and meaningfully as we can. We are also interested in asking (and maybe even answering) questions about what a park can be.
We want to explore how a park can be…
a place where communities are nurtured,
a place people can connect with and grow to love nature,
a source of calm, quiet and peace,
a space for play, fun and joy (for people of all ages),
a biodiversity haven,
a place where people come to learn new skills and discover new passions,
a safe space for some of our most vulnerable people,
a portal to a better future.
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We are always working to be ‘A place where everyone is welcome, where nature and community thrive.’
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Homestead Park is owned, managed and maintained by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
JRF are an independent social change organisation, working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet can flourish.
Learn more about the work and history of JRF.
Getting here
Homestead Park is located 1.5 miles west of York City Centre at 40 Water End, Clifton, York YO30 6WP.
You can reach us on foot, or by bus, bike or car (free cycle and car parking is available).
Rooted in history
In 1904 Seebohm Rowntree, sociologist, social reformer, and son of Joseph Rowntree, opened the garden of his family home to the people of York.
What began as limited access for the children of York elementary schools to play during summer months, quickly grew into the creation of York’s first free-to-access public park.
Get involved
We can only create a park for everyone, with everyone. If you’d like to learn more about our work, upcoming events, projects and opportunities to get involved, please:
Get in touch
The Homestead,
40 Water End,
York YO30 6WP
Homestead.Park@jrf.org.uk
01904 615900
The Hive Café can be contacted via their Instagram page.
Hive Homestead Instagram page
Use this form to get in touch with our Community Engagement team to ask questions, share feedback or ideas, or to enquire about lost property.
By submitting this form, you consent to our use of your name and contact information to respond to your inquiry. For details on how we collect, use, and protect your data, please see our full Privacy notice | Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Urgent concerns and emergencies
In the case of an emergency, always call 999
If you suspect illegal activity which is not an emergency, call 101
For urgent security concerns, or if you need to report a serious or dangerous problem involving a tree or a building outside of office hours, please call 07858 902 337