Eccleshill, Bradford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eccleshill
Harrogate Road, Eccleshill
Eccleshill
Population	17,945 (Ward. 2011 census)
OS grid reference	SE175358
Metropolitan borough	City of Bradford
Metropolitan county	West Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BRADFORD
Postcode district	BD2 & BD10
Dialling code	01274
Police	West Yorkshire
Fire	West Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire
EU Parliament	Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament	Bradford East
Councillors	Geoffrey Reid (Liberal Democrats) Nicola Pollard (Liberal Democrats) Brendan Stub (Liberal Democrats)
List of places UK England Yorkshire 53°49′26″N 1°44′13″W / 53.824°N 1.737°W / 53.824; -1.737

Eccleshill is an area in West Yorkshire, England. It used to be a small village. Today, it's mostly a place where people live. It's part of the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

In 2011, about 17,945 people lived in Eccleshill. The name "Eccleshill" might mean "eagles hill" or "Ecclesiastical Hill" (a hill connected to a church). It could also be named after an old Saxon landlord.

History of Eccleshill

Eccleshill has a long history! Even in Roman times, two old lanes crossed through the area. One followed what is now Norman Lane. The other went towards Apperley Bridge.

After the Norman Conquest, Eccleshill's land was given to William, Earl of Warren. Over many years, the land changed hands between several important families.

Eccleshill Hall: A Grand Old House

The remains of gateposts to Eccleshill Hall embedded in a wall

Eccleshill Hall was a large house built in 1713. It stood where Victoria Road is now. The hall was knocked down in 1878. Today, you can still see parts of its old stone gateposts in a wall.

Churches and Chapels

The first places of worship in Eccleshill were for nonconformist groups. Before 1775, the only church was The Quaker Meeting House.

In 1775, a Wesleyan Chapel called Prospect Chapel was built. Famous Methodist leader John Wesley preached there in 1776. A burial ground was added nearby in 1823.

Later, other chapels were built, like Salem Independent Chapel. Many of these old chapels have been replaced or changed. For example, the Congregational Church was built in 1889. It was later replaced by the United Reformed Church.

St. Luke's Church was built in 1848. It has a Gothic style. Its spire was removed around 1971 because the stone was crumbling.

Industry and Work

For a long time, Eccleshill had quarries, potteries, and textile mills. Today, only quarrying remains.

Wool Mills

Eccleshill had several wool mills. The Old Mill on Victoria Road was built in 1800. It burned down but was rebuilt. Union Mill was built around 1816. It made woollen cloth. Both mills were later demolished for a new shopping area.

Moorside Mills was built in 1875 for spinning wool. In 1919, a clock tower was added as a war memorial for those who died in the First World War. This mill is now the Bradford Industrial Museum.

Pottery Making

In 1837, Manor Pottery started in Eccleshill. It used local clay to make stoneware, household items, and garden decorations. Wagons carried clay through a tunnel to the pottery. Eventually, cheaper pottery from other areas meant the pottery closed. It switched to making bricks and pipes.

Coal Mining

There were many coal pits in Eccleshill, especially in the Thorpe Edge and Ravenscliffe areas. Coal was needed for steam engines and the pottery. But digging for coal caused many local water wells to dry up.

Eccleshill Mechanics' Institute

The former Eccleshill Mechanics' Institute^* (1868), Stone Hall Road

The Eccleshill Mechanics' Institute was built in 1868. It was a place for learning. Later, its upper floor became a cinema called Eccleshill Picture House. It closed in 1931.

Shopping Areas

For the past 200 years, Stony Lane has been the main shopping street in Eccleshill. Henry Sparks, who started Sparks Bakeries, had his first shop here.

Transport History

In 1804, a toll road was built through Eccleshill. Parts of it are now Killinghall Road and Harrogate Road. In 1889, some streets were renamed Victoria Road to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.

Trams used to run from Bradford to Eccleshill. The tram service also went along Harrogate Road.

Eccleshill Railway Station

Eccleshill railway station opened in 1875. It had sidings and a coal yard. The station closed to passengers in 1931. Goods trains continued until 1964. The railway line and bridge were later removed.

The Palladium/Regal Cinema

The Palladium Cinema opened in 1929 on Norman Lane. It had 1,000 seats! It later became the Regal cinema. It closed in 1966. The building has since been used as a bingo hall, a snooker hall, and a fitness centre.

Schools in Eccleshill

The former Central Board / Hutton School (1884-2016)

The Central Board School was built in 1887 on Victoria Road. It was later renamed Hutton School. Famous artist David Hockney went to this school. The building was knocked down in 2016 to build houses.

Eccleshill was the first area to elect a School Board in England, after the Education Act of 1871. This board built three schools: Greengates, Wellington, and the Central Board School.

Geography of Eccleshill

Eccleshill is surrounded by other areas. To the east is Pudsey. To the north are Idle and Greengates. To the south are Bradford Moor and Undercliffe. To the west are Swain House and Wrose.

Fagley Area

Fagley is an area in the south-east of Eccleshill. It has a sandstone quarry and a riding school. Most shops and the post office are on Fagley Road. Fagley Primary School is also here.

Ravenscliffe Area

Ravenscliffe is a housing estate in the north-east of Eccleshill. It has a post office and The Gateway Community and Children's Centre. The Eccleshill Adventure Playground is also in Ravenscliffe.

Landmarks and Places to See

The Monkey Bridge

At the corner of Stony Lane and Victoria Road, you can find 'The Monkey Bridge'. It's a raised stone path. It overlooks a small area where the village stocks used to be.

Eccleshill War Memorial

North of Stony Lane is The Delph. This used to be a quarry but is now a recreation ground. It has a playground. The Eccleshill War Memorial is also here. South of Stony Lane is another grassy area with Village Green Status.

Eccleshill has many old wells. One is a Holy Well, which dates back to Roman times.

Eccleshill Pool

The Eccleshill Swimming Pool is on Harrogate Road. Nearby are the Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre and Eccleshill Community Hospital. Eccleshill Park is also in this area.

Eccleshill has several post offices. There is also a driving test centre.

Many buildings in Eccleshill are 'listed buildings'. This means they are important for their history or architecture. They include old houses, churches, and former mills.

Bradford Industrial Museum

Entrance to Bradford Industrial Museum on Moorside Road

The Bradford Industrial Museum is in Eccleshill. It's located in what used to be Moorside Mills. The museum shows machinery from local textile and printing industries. You can also see a row of old workers' houses.

Local Churches

The Ukrainian Autocephalic Orthodox Church was built in 1854. It was originally a Wesleyan Methodist Church. It is the only listed church building in Eccleshill.

How Eccleshill is Governed

Eccleshill was its own township until 1899. Then it joined with Bradford. Today, the Eccleshill ward includes areas like Thorpe Edge, Fagley, and Ravenscliffe.

2004 Boundaries of Eccleshill Ward.

Eccleshill is represented on Bradford Council by three councillors. They are Geoff Reid, Nicola Pollard, and Brendan Stubbs. All three are from the Liberal Democrats party.

Economy and Businesses

Along Victoria Road, you'll find the Victoria Industrial Estate. This area has many businesses and light industries.

A new Lidl supermarket and Starbucks have been built where the old Union Mills used to be. There are also plans for new homes on a former sandstone quarry near Fagley.

Schools and Learning

Eccleshill has Cavendish Primary School and Saint Brendan's Primary School. The Hanson Academy is nearby in Swain House. Eccleshill Public Library is on Bolton Road. Fagley Primary School is on Falsgrave Road in Fagley.

Transport Links

Eccleshill is served by local bus services. The main roads are the A658 Harrogate Road and the A6176 Bolton Road.

Sports in Eccleshill

Eccleshill United Football Club is a local football team. They play in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division. Eccleshill also has a Badminton Club.

Culture and Events

The Eccleshill Village Fair is held every year. It takes place in The Delph, which used to be a quarry.

Famous People from Eccleshill

Many well-known people have connections to Eccleshill:

• Artist David Hockney (born 1937) grew up here.
• TV presenter Richard Whiteley (1943–2005) was born in Eccleshill. His family owned a mill here.
• TV presenter Christa Ackroyd (born 1957) was born in Eccleshill.
• Actor Duncan Preston (born 1946) was born in Eccleshill.
• Victorian actress Marie Studholme (1872–1930) was born at Stone Hall.
• Inventor Edward Spurr (1907–1998) grew up in Eccleshill.
• Cricketer Don Brennan (1920–1985) was born here.
• Cricketer Arthur Wood (1898–1973) was born in Fagley.
• Victoria Cross recipient Eric Anderson (1915–1943) lived in Fagley.