Bentham, North Yorkshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bentham |
|
|---|---|
 High Bentham main street |
|
 Bentham
|
|
| Population | 3,027 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SD666693 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority |
|
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LANCASTER |
| Postcode district | LA2 |
| Dialling code | 015242 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
|
Bentham is a small area in North Yorkshire, England. In 2011, about 3,027 people lived there. It includes a main town called High Bentham and an older village called Low Bentham.
Bentham is located by the River Wenning. It's near the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Forest of Bowland. Long ago, Low Bentham was the main part of the area. But in the 1300s, High Bentham got permission to hold a market. This made it grow into a busy town. From the 1700s, Bentham became known for weaving cloth. Weavers there even learned how to make strong hosepipes from a plant called flax.
Bentham used to be part of the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974. Then, from 1974 to 2023, it was part of the Craven District.
Contents
How Bentham is Run
Bentham has its own local council called the Bentham Town Council. This council helps manage things in the town. They work from the Bentham Town Hall, which was built in 1877.
The Town Hall has rooms that local groups can use. You can also rent these rooms for private events. It's also where you can find the town's tourist information centre. This is a great place to get maps and learn about things to do.
The area around Bentham is part of an electoral ward. This ward also includes a nearby village called Burton in Lonsdale. In 2011, about 3,606 people lived in this larger area.
Community Life in Bentham
Bentham is a lively place with many community events.
Agricultural Show
Since the mid-1800s, Bentham has hosted an annual agricultural show. This show happens every year on the first Saturday of September. It's a traditional farm show with lots to see. You can find competitions for sheep, cattle, and poultry. There are also displays of handicrafts and garden produce. The 146th Bentham Agricultural Show took place in 2018.
Carnival and Auction Mart
Every June, the town holds an annual Carnival procession. This event includes a fun street parade with different themes. The carnival usually ends with a funfair and stalls. These are often set up at the Bentham Auction Mart.
The town's Auction Mart opened in 1903. It's a very important place for community events. Besides the Agricultural Show and Carnival, it hosts bonfire night fireworks. It also has Christmas market events. The Auction Mart is also used for regular sales of farm animals.
Local School and News
Bentham Community Primary School teaches children aged three to eleven. In 2016, nearly 150 students attended the school.
The Bentham News is the town's monthly community newspaper. It started in 1982. Volunteers deliver over 2,000 copies for free to every home in Bentham. You can also find it at central spots in town and nearby areas.
Exploring Bentham: Heritage Trails
Bentham has several walking trails that let you explore its history and nature. There are three main trails, each with a different color.
Purple Trail
The Purple Trail is about 2 miles (3.2 km) long. It takes you through Ridding Lane Farm and over a bridge called Shaky Bridge. This path mostly follows footpaths. It includes stone steps over fences as you walk along the Wenning valley.
Pink Trail
The Pink Trail is about 5 miles (8 km) long. It goes further along the river valley than the Purple Trail. It also passes close to the Old Quarry in the northeast part of town. A small part of this trail, about 0.3 miles (0.5 km), is on the road.
Blue Trail
The Blue Trail is the longest, at over 9 miles (14.5 km). This route climbs up from the town to the south. It goes into the Forest of Bowland. Along the way, you'll find several ladder styles to cross. The trail also takes you to the Great Stone of Fourstones. This large stone is known locally as Big Stone. From here, walkers can enjoy amazing views of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Train Station
The Leeds to Morecambe Line railway passes through Bentham. The train station is called Bentham Station. It opened in 1850 and is not staffed. About 18,000 people use the station each year.
When it first opened, a company called the "Little" North Western Railway owned it. Later, the Midland Railway bought it. Today, Northern operates the station. A local group called Friends of Bentham Station (FOBS) helps support the station.
Local Media
Bentham is close to the borders of Lancashire and North Yorkshire. Because of this, local news and TV shows come from BBC North West and Granada Television. These channels broadcast from Salford.
You can also listen to BBC Radio Cumbria and BBC Radio Lancashire in Bentham. Other radio stations like Greatest Hits Radio Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales and Dales Radio can also be heard. Local newspapers include the Lancaster Guardian, The Westmorland Gazette, and Craven Herald & Pioneer. As mentioned, the Bentham News is a free monthly local newspaper.
Churches and Youth Groups
Bentham has several churches and places of worship. In High Bentham, you'll find St Boniface Roman Catholic Church and Bentham Methodist Chapel. In Low Bentham, there is St John the Baptist Church and Bentham Quakers Meeting House.
Bentham also has youth groups for teenagers. The Bentham Youth Café (BYC) is on Main Street. Monday's Youth Club is run by 4Youth. There are also youth drop-in sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Youth Cafe. For younger children, Springboard and Adventurers groups meet at the Methodist Church.
.jpg)
St John the Baptist's Church, Low Bentham is one of the oldest churches in the area. It was even mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. This church is a very important historical building.
Golf Club
Bentham Golf Club is located on Robin Lane, at the northern edge of town. The club has an 18-hole golf course. It was first set up in the 1920s. There's also a driving range and a 'footgolf' course. The course is in the countryside, south of the Three Peaks. It is a privately owned club.
