Askern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Askern |
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| Town and civil parish | |
Mar2008.jpg) Askern Spa Pool |
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 Askern
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| Area | 1.33 sq mi (3.4 km2) |
| Population | 5,570 (2011 census) |
| • Density | 4,188/sq mi (1,617/km2) |
| OS grid reference | SE5513 |
| Civil parish |
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| Metropolitan borough |
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| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DONCASTER |
| Postcode district | DN6 |
| Dialling code | 01302 |
| Police | South Yorkshire |
| Fire | South Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Askern (/ˈæskərn/) is a town and civil parish in South Yorkshire, England. It is part of the City of Doncaster. You can find Askern on the A19 road, which connects Doncaster and Selby. In 2011, about 5,570 people lived there. Askern was once famous for its Greyhound Stadium, which closed in 2022.
Contents
What's in a Name? The History of Askern
The name Askern comes from old English words. It means 'building made of ash' or 'building surrounded by ash trees'. Askern is about 9 miles south of Pontefract. It is also 7 miles north of Doncaster. For a long time, it was part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
Askern's history goes back to the time of King Edward III. People from a nearby place called Norton once complained. They said Askern residents had not kept Askern Pool clean. This caused the King's highway to flood. It became impossible for people or horses to use. The local church, St Peter's, was built in 1852.
Askern as a Spa Town
In the 1800s, Askern was a popular place to visit for its spa. People knew that Askern Lake had special water. The first building for bathing opened in 1786. More hotels opened in the 1820s and 1830s. This helped Askern become a small spa town. More visitors came when a railway station opened in 1848.
However, by the 1900s, fewer people visited the spa. Coal mining then changed the town forever. The last spa bathhouse was taken down in the 1960s.
The Era of Coal Mining
In the early 1900s, people found a good amount of coal near Askern. They decided to build a mine above the village in 1911. New homes were built for the miners and their families. The mine closed in 1991 because coal prices were low. The buildings at the mine's surface were removed in 1993.
Getting Around Askern
Railway Connections
Askern is on an old railway line. This line connected Doncaster and Wakefield. The local Askern railway station closed to passengers in 1947. Today, the line is mostly used by freight trains. However, Grand Central passenger trains use it too. These trains travel from Bradford to London King's Cross. There have been ideas to open Askern railway station again for passengers.
Bus Services
Bus service 51 connects Askern to other places. These include Doncaster, Carcroft, Skellow, and Norton. There are also two special school bus services from the town.
Images for kids
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Askern Spa Pool
See also
In Spanish: Askern para niños
