House on Addingham Main Street
Lying equidistant between Ilkley and Skipton and just down the road from Bolton Abbey is this picturesque village. It wasn't long ago since a major thoroughfare came through here, with people making their way to the Dales and the Lake District. The introduction of a bypass several years ago seems to have benefited the village greatly.
Addingham is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is referred to as Ediham, the name probably meant 'Home of Edi' - the Earl Edwin of Bolton Abbey. For many centuries the Vavasour family held the manorship. It was in the C4th that Ediham became known as Adyngham. Many years later it became known as Long Addingham.
The textile industry played a major part in the development of the village. The C16th saw the beginning of a woollen industry, following this in the 1700's came worsted and cotton. The first of many mills was built in the 1780's.
In 1826, at Low Mills, the Addingham uprising began, workers had to defend themselves against vicious mobs from Lancashire protesting against power looms. Today, Low Mill village has become a very desirable dwelling place. The homes are aptly named - 'Weighbridge, Counting House' and the titillating 'Penny Hole,' where workers would have had to pay a penny fine if they were late for work.
Photo's of The Crown & an attractive old cottage (click to enlarge)
If you take a walk down the main street you will see some lovely buildings and character cottages. The village has more than its fair share of pubs, take your pick from The Craven Heifer, The Sailor, The Swan, The Crown or The Fleece, the oldest is The Crown which dates back to 1769. The oldest building on Main Street is the old schoolroom, dating back to 1666, the jail was housed underneath. One of my favourite places is the 'Old Station Fisheries' (picture) as the name suggests this is built on the site of the long-gone railway station. The Fish & Chips here are better than many. Just opposite the fish shop you can see an unusual road-sign informing you to go 'SLOW...Ducks Crossing.' I like that.
St. Peter's
St. Peter's Parish Church is surrounded by a meadow, in the Spring 30,000 daffodils bloom and make a wonderful sight. Christians have worshipped on this site since the C9th and maybe even earlier because the Archbishop of York had a residency here in the C8th. Wulfhere, Archbishop of York fled to the village from York when the Danes invaded and set up a Christian Community here. His name can be seen on the board which lists the names of the church's incumbents since 867. 'Mousey' Thompson of Kilburn has 13 of his 'signatures' carved on various pieces of oak furniture. Many memorials to patrons of the church can be seen, the most prominent being to the great Yorkshire manufacturer, inventor and businessman, Samuel Cunliffe-Lister, first Baron Masham, who is interred here. Many years ago a cutting from the famous Glastonbury thorn was planted in the churchyard.
On the moors above the village.
Addingham is surrounded by beautiful countryside and there are many fine walks to be had. Above Addingham are 2 strange rock outcroppings with cup and channel incisions in their top surface. They stand on a ley line which takes in the Swastika Stone, the 'Badger Stone' and a large stone circle known as the Twelve Apostles. Legend has it that the incisions were used to collect the blood from blood sacrifices by the Druids but though they may have had religious significance, the original nature and intent remains a mystery.
Next time you're in this part of the world, forget the bypass and stop to visit this fine village.
