Barnsdale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barnsdale |
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 Robin Hood's Well is on the east of the southbound carriageway of the A1, about 1 mile south of Barnsdale Bar. |
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 Barnsdale
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| OS grid reference | SE508136 |
| 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 |
Barnsdale, also known as Barnsdale Forest, is an area in South Yorkshire, England. Long ago, this place was a huge forest. It was famous for royal hunts and as a hiding spot for the legendary outlaw Robin Hood.
Barnsdale is found just north and northwest of Doncaster. It was once part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, a historical county. Today, parts of Barnsdale are in South Yorkshire, and other parts are in West Yorkshire.
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Exploring Barnsdale's History and Location
Barnsdale was once a vast woodland, full of animals like deer. Kings and queens of England would sometimes come here for royal hunts. People believe that Barnsdale Forest was once enormous, possibly covering most of South Yorkshire. It might have been as big as Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. Some even think the town of Barnsley, about 10 miles (16 km) west of Hampole, got its name from this forest.
Hampole: A Historic Village
The small village of Hampole in South Yorkshire is thought to be right in the middle of what was once Barnsdale Forest. A famous writer named Richard Rolle lived here from 1300 to 1349. He was a religious writer and Bible translator who spent his last years in Hampole as a hermit, living quietly in the thick forest.
Barnsdale Bar: A Crossroads of Time
Barnsdale Bar is a key spot where several roads meet, including the historic Great North Road (now the A1). There are also three limestone quarries nearby.
Archaeological digs in this area have uncovered amazing things. They've found old buildings and even preserved farmland from the medieval era, the Dark Ages, and even earlier times.
What's Left of the Forest Today?
Today, only small groups of trees remain from the original Barnsdale Forest. You can see some of them along the A1 trunk road near Barnsdale Bar.
However, there's a wooded area called Hampole Wood about half a mile wide, south of Hampole. The trees there might be direct descendants of the ancient Barnsdale Forest. The same could be true for the woods around the grand Brodsworth Hall. Also, at Woodlands, there's a place called Hanging Wood, which was also part of the old forest.
Barnsdale and the Legend of Robin Hood
Barnsdale has strong ties to the famous legend of Robin Hood. In the oldest stories about Robin Hood, from the 1400s, it says that Barnsdale Forest was his home and where he planned his adventures.
Famous Robin Hood Spots
- Robin Hood's Well: This small monument is right next to the A1 road, between the villages of Skelbrooke and Burghwallis. It was moved around 1960 when the road was built, so the original well is actually underneath the A1!
- Little John's Well: This well, also known as Little John's Cave, is west of Hampole. It used to have Robin Hood's friend's name carved into it, but it's now in ruins.
Many villages and natural features along the old Roman Road (now the A1 and A639) are mentioned in the early Robin Hood ballads. These were places the outlaw was said to visit.
In Hanging Wood, also called Highfields Wood, a small stream called Robin Hood's stream starts. It flows from under the old Roman Road and joins the Pick Burn.
Woodlands: A Modern Village in Barnsdale
A special part of modern Barnsdale is the model village of Woodlands. It's about 4 miles south of Barnsdale Bar. This village was built following a specific plan, making it a unique place to live.
Images for kids
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Golf course in Barnsdale.
