Basford, Nottingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basford |
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 Nottingham Road, Basford |
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 Basford
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| Population | 16,207 (ward. 2011) |
| OS grid reference | SK 55791 42652 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NOTTINGHAM |
| Postcode district | NG6 / NG7 |
| Dialling code | 0115 |
| Police | Nottinghamshire |
| Fire | Nottinghamshire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Basford is a northern part of Nottingham, in Nottinghamshire, England. It became part of Nottingham city in 1877. In 2011, about 16,207 people lived here. Basford is divided into Old Basford and New Basford, which has many buildings from the Victorian era. The area is near the River Leen, which flows into the River Trent. You can easily travel to Nottingham City Centre and places like Hucknall and Bulwell using the Nottingham Express Transit tram service.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Basford" comes from old English words. In a very old book from 1086 called the Domesday Book, it was written as Baseford. It means "Basa's ford," where "Basa" was a person's name and "ford" means a shallow place in a river where you can cross.
Basford's Past: A Journey Through Time
Basford has a long history, especially because of its location near the River Leen. This river helped with local industries. Long ago, Basford was made up of several smaller areas.
Over time, Basford grew a lot. Its population increased from just over 2,000 people to more than 10,000 by 1851. This growth was thanks to the lace and hosiery (sock and stocking) factories nearby. Many new villages were built in the area.
Important Buildings and Places
Near the Basford Register Office, there used to be a large building that helped people in need. It later became a hospital for mothers and then a hospital for mental health.
Close to Vernon Park, there were once tall apartment buildings connected by walkways. These were taken down in 1983.
Basford has many shops. It is also home to Vernon Park, where local football teams play. The main football club is Basford United, formed in 1900. They play their home games at Greenwich Avenue. There is also a Bulwell and Basford Rotary Club, which helps the community.
Soap and Industry
For many years, one of Basford's biggest industries was making soap. A factory was built in the 1890s by Gerard Bros. Later, in 1955, it was bought by Cussons Sons & Co, famous for Cussons Imperial Leather soap. The factory closed in 2005, and soap production moved to Thailand.
Trains and Trams
Basford used to have many railway stations. Basford Vernon was the first, on a line connecting Nottingham to Mansfield. Then came Basford North, and finally New Basford.
Basford North and New Basford stations closed when their railway lines were no longer used. Basford Vernon station closed in 1964, but the railway line stayed open for goods. Today, this line is part of the Robin Hood Line for passengers. The old Basford Vernon station site is now where the Basford tram stop is located for the Nottingham Express Transit.
The main office for the Nottinghamshire Miners' Association, a group for miners, was in Basford for many years.
Basford also had three breweries, which made beer. Shipstones was the most well-known.
Who Lives in Basford?
According to the 2011 census, Basford has a population of 17,277 people. On average, there are about 2.20 people in each home.
Basford is a very diverse area, meaning people from many different backgrounds live there. While Old Basford is mostly white, New Basford has a wider mix of cultures. The 2011 census showed that about 70.1% of people were White British. The other 29.9% included people from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, and other European countries. In fact, people from 51 different countries outside the UK live in Basford!
Places of Worship
Basford has many different places of worship. You can find Sikh gurdwaras, Muslim mosques, Hindu temples, and temples for Taoist, Confucianist, and Buddhist faiths. There are also Jewish synagogues.
For Christians, there are churches like St Aidan's Church and St Leodegarius Church (both Church of England), and Basford Road Baptist Church. The nearest Roman Catholic church is Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Brooklyn Road, Bulwell. The Nottingham Basford group of Jehovah's Witnesses also has a meeting hall.
Learning in Basford
Children in Basford usually go to primary schools like Southwark Primary and Infants School, Heathfield Primary School, Whitemoor Primary School, or Old Basford School. The only secondary school in the area is the Ellis Guilford School and Sports College in Bar Lane. This school has been updated with new buildings, changing rooms, a sports hall, tennis courts, and football pitches.
Getting Around Basford
Trams
Basford is well-connected by the Nottingham Express Transit tram system. Several tram stops serve the area, including Shipstone Street, Wilkinson Street (which has a Park & Ride), Basford, David Lane, and Highbury Vale. Highbury Vale is the closest stop to the Basford United football stadium.
Buses
Basford is also served by Nottingham City Transport (NCT) Yellow Line buses, including routes 68, 69, 70, and 71.
Business Parks
Basford has three business parks: Rani Drive, Bar Lane, and Park Lane. These areas are home to many businesses.
