Situated deep inside woodland at the hours of darkness corners of Wakefield’s huge Thornes Park is that this spooky cemetery that has remained derelict and deserted for greater than a century.
Thornes House was constructed between 1779 and 1782 to a design by the Horbury-born architect John Carr for the fabric service provider and later Member of Parliament, James Milnes.
Later occupant of the home was Charles G Milnes Gaskell, MP for Morley and the chairman of the unique physique of parks trustees.
A small part of the in depth grounds is the place the Gaskell household laid their household pets to relaxation.
The largest of the headstones is for a pet mouse, whereas different smaller headstones are for the household canine “Geordie” (1868-1882), “Jack” (1896-1910) and “Sin” (died 1910).
The inscription on Geordie’s gravestone is in Latin and interprets to: “He rests among beloved seats of love,
“To whom the Fates granted to enjoy nearly thrice times five years.
“Having been snatched away in venerable old age he leaves this dear place to us,
“Nor did his heart lack faith, ever mindful dog.”
Thornes House burned down beneath mysterious circumstances in 1951.
The pet cemetery is now misplaced and forgotten, solely sometimes handed by canine walkers, stumbled upon by curious city explorers.
Explore the hidden pet cemetery by way of images taken by the reknown Yorkshire city explorer, Lost Places & Forgotten Faces (https://www.facebook.com/Lostplacesandforgottenfaces).
IN PICTURES: Explore the abandoned car graveyard hidden in a Normanton woodland
