Apperley Bridge
Encyclopedia
Apperley Bridge is a village in the metropolitan borough
of the City of Bradford
, in West Yorkshire
, England. Apperley Bridge is north-east of Bradford on the boundary with the City of Leeds
bounded in part in the east by Carr Beck and to the south by Greengates
. The village of Apperley Bridge straddles both the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
and the River Aire
. It takes its name from the old bridge (Apperley Bridge) over the river Aire on Apperley Lane.
Parts of Rawdon
in Leeds of similar character are included in the BD10 Apperley Bridge postal district.
In 1777 a stone arched bridge was build on Harrogate Road over the canal but the present bridge dates from 1936 and has since been widened.
From 1846 until its closure in 1965, Apperley Bridge had a railway station
in Rawdon
.
Off Tenterfields close to the canal were four 19th century mills; Apperdale Mill (formerly known as Dyehouse Mill), Oaklea Mills, Valley Mills (formerly known as Canal Mills) and Whitfield Mill.
Only Apperdale Mill and Oaklea Mills buildings survive to the present day.
Both mills are close to the canal basin, which is now a pleasure boat marina.
Since the 1990s there has been considerable housing development in the Tenterfields area between the canal, south up to Greengates
.
Valley Mills and Whitfield Mills were demolished to make way for the new development, while the others namely Apperdale Mill and Oaklea Mill were converted into living accommodation regenerating the area and making it a desirable place to live.
There was a Hammonds sauce factory on Harrogate Road close to the canal but this too has been replaced by modern development.
In the 2000s Apperley Bridge village was considered for conservation area status but this was turned down partly because many of its older buildings already had better protection with existing listed building status.
vehicle hire and dealership. Next to the Harrogate Road bridge over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is Apperley Bridge Quarries Limited and the art deco
style headquarters, main warehouse and distribution depot of shoe retailers Barratt
. On the canal itself is Apperley Bridge Marina with a cafe, office, and chandler
operated by Calder Valley Marine. Regarding tourism there are several cafes and historic public house / restaurants in the area and the possibility of towpath and field walks.
The canal marina has a modern steel, glass, and stone cafe, office and chandler. Close to the marina is the base of an original canal side wharf crane.
* listed building
a fee paying independent day and boarding school.
runs east west through Apperley Bridge but its use is by pleasure craft. The Airedale rail line
runs east west down the Aire valley, through the north of Apperley Bridge. Apperley Bridge railway station
closed in 1965 although the WYPTE intends to re-open the station in 2012 with park and ride facilities. The main road through the area, the A658 Harrogate Road – Apperley Lane along with its bridges were widened in the 20th century.
Metropolitan borough
A metropolitan borough is a type of local government district in England, and is a subdivision of a metropolitan county. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972, metropolitan boroughs are defined in English law as metropolitan districts, however all of them have been granted or regranted...
of the City of Bradford
City of Bradford
The City of Bradford is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. It is named after its largest settlement, Bradford, but covers a far larger area which includes the towns of Keighley, Shipley, Bingley, Ilkley, Haworth, Silsden and...
, in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England. Apperley Bridge is north-east of Bradford on the boundary with the City of Leeds
City of Leeds
The City of Leeds is a local government district of West Yorkshire, England, governed by Leeds City Council, with the status of a city and metropolitan borough. The metropolitan district includes Leeds and the towns of Farsley, Garforth, Guiseley, Horsforth, Morley, Otley, Pudsey, Rothwell,...
bounded in part in the east by Carr Beck and to the south by Greengates
Greengates
Greengates is a small suburban area in the north-east of the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, in England. The area is bordered by Idle and Thackley to the north west, and the large council estate known as Thorpe Edge to the west. To the south of Greengates is Ravenscliffe with the village of...
. The village of Apperley Bridge straddles both the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Leeds and Liverpool Canal
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a canal in Northern England, linking the cities of Leeds and Liverpool. Over a distance of , it crosses the Pennines, and includes 91 locks on the main line...
and the River Aire
River Aire
The River Aire is a major river in Yorkshire, England of length . Part of the river is canalised, and is known as the Aire and Calder Navigation....
. It takes its name from the old bridge (Apperley Bridge) over the river Aire on Apperley Lane.
Parts of Rawdon
Rawdon
Rawdon is a village in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Early beginnings:With William the Conqueror was a commander of archers named Paulyn who rendered such faithful and courageous service to the Norman cause that he was rewarded with lands, a portion of...
in Leeds of similar character are included in the BD10 Apperley Bridge postal district.
History
The bridge at Apperley Bridge from which the village takes its name was built in the late 16th century or early 17th century.In 1777 a stone arched bridge was build on Harrogate Road over the canal but the present bridge dates from 1936 and has since been widened.
From 1846 until its closure in 1965, Apperley Bridge had a railway station
Apperley Bridge railway station
Apperley Bridge was a station on the line between Leeds and Shipley, West Yorkshire, England, between 1846 and 1965...
in Rawdon
Rawdon
Rawdon is a village in the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Early beginnings:With William the Conqueror was a commander of archers named Paulyn who rendered such faithful and courageous service to the Norman cause that he was rewarded with lands, a portion of...
.
Off Tenterfields close to the canal were four 19th century mills; Apperdale Mill (formerly known as Dyehouse Mill), Oaklea Mills, Valley Mills (formerly known as Canal Mills) and Whitfield Mill.
Only Apperdale Mill and Oaklea Mills buildings survive to the present day.
Both mills are close to the canal basin, which is now a pleasure boat marina.
Since the 1990s there has been considerable housing development in the Tenterfields area between the canal, south up to Greengates
Greengates
Greengates is a small suburban area in the north-east of the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, in England. The area is bordered by Idle and Thackley to the north west, and the large council estate known as Thorpe Edge to the west. To the south of Greengates is Ravenscliffe with the village of...
.
Valley Mills and Whitfield Mills were demolished to make way for the new development, while the others namely Apperdale Mill and Oaklea Mill were converted into living accommodation regenerating the area and making it a desirable place to live.
There was a Hammonds sauce factory on Harrogate Road close to the canal but this too has been replaced by modern development.
In the 2000s Apperley Bridge village was considered for conservation area status but this was turned down partly because many of its older buildings already had better protection with existing listed building status.
Economy
On Apperley Lane is the head office of JCT600JCT600
JCT600 is a car dealership founded in Bradford, England in 1946 by Edward Tordoff - the company is now run by his grandson, John Tordoff. It has 22 franchises operating from 48 retail outlets across the North of England with an annual turnover in excess of £450 million.JCT600 takes its name from...
vehicle hire and dealership. Next to the Harrogate Road bridge over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is Apperley Bridge Quarries Limited and the art deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style headquarters, main warehouse and distribution depot of shoe retailers Barratt
Stylo
Stylo plc is a UK based PLC engaged in footwear retailing based in Bradford. It operates under more than 1 brand including Barratts, Priceless and Shutopia and supplies shoes to Dorothy Perkins...
. On the canal itself is Apperley Bridge Marina with a cafe, office, and chandler
Ship chandler
A ship chandler is a retail dealer in special supplies or equipment for ships.For traditional sailing ships items that could be found in a chandler might include: rosin, turpentine, tar, pitch , linseed oil, whale oil, tallow, lard, varnish, twine, rope and cordage, hemp, oakum, tools A ship...
operated by Calder Valley Marine. Regarding tourism there are several cafes and historic public house / restaurants in the area and the possibility of towpath and field walks.
Landmarks
Historic Apperley Bridge village is a collection of buildings and groups of buildings separated by green space, it does not have a square, green, or commercial area that could be identified as a focal centre for the village. The old bridge from which Apperley Bridge takes its name is of ashlar construction with two arches and a partially obliterated inscription by the road edge. Numerous farm buildings, barns, and previously canal related buildings along Apperley Road near Millman Bridge have listed building status. The Dog and Gun, The George and Dragon,* and The Stansfield Arms* public houses are historic former houses, farmhouses and barns. The Woodhouse Grove Methodist Church and the Queens Hotel on Harrogate Road are notable large buildings.The canal marina has a modern steel, glass, and stone cafe, office and chandler. Close to the marina is the base of an original canal side wharf crane.
* listed building
Education
To the north of Apperley Bridge is Woodhouse Grove SchoolWoodhouse Grove School
Woodhouse Grove School is an independent, coeducational, day and boarding public school and Sixth Form college in Apperley Bridge, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England for children aged between 11 and 18...
a fee paying independent day and boarding school.
Sport
Apperley Bridge's sports (cricket) ground is on Apperley Lane north of the old Apperley Bridge and there are other sports grounds or playing fields close by between the canal and river.Transport
The Leeds and Liverpool CanalLeeds and Liverpool Canal
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a canal in Northern England, linking the cities of Leeds and Liverpool. Over a distance of , it crosses the Pennines, and includes 91 locks on the main line...
runs east west through Apperley Bridge but its use is by pleasure craft. The Airedale rail line
Airedale Line
The Airedale Line is the name given to one of the rail services in the Metro area of northern England. The service is operated by Northern Rail, on the route connecting Leeds and Bradford with Skipton in the North of England. Some services along the line continue to Morecambe or Carlisle...
runs east west down the Aire valley, through the north of Apperley Bridge. Apperley Bridge railway station
Apperley Bridge railway station
Apperley Bridge was a station on the line between Leeds and Shipley, West Yorkshire, England, between 1846 and 1965...
closed in 1965 although the WYPTE intends to re-open the station in 2012 with park and ride facilities. The main road through the area, the A658 Harrogate Road – Apperley Lane along with its bridges were widened in the 20th century.
External links
- Education: Woodhouse Grove School
- Listed buildings: Apperley Lane: The Bridge, Stansfield Arms, Walk Hill Farmhouse; Apperley Road: Mill Holme Farmhouse, 287, 289, Millman Swing Bridge, Field House, 293 and barn, Elm Tree Farmhouse, George and Dragon Inn; Laburnum Place: 2-5, 6-10, Coach House & stables, 12, 13-18; Leeds and Liverpool Canal: Bottom Farmhouse and Barn, Dobson Locks, Cottages and Depot; Harrogate Road: 997; Waterloo Crescent: 1-4
- Selected commercial: Calder Valley Marine
- Photographs: Flickr, Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Pennine Waterways, Towpath Treks Historic: Your Local Web
- Local walks from: Yorkshire Water.