Grassington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grassington |
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 The Square, Grassington |
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 Grassington
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| Population | 1,126 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SE001639 |
| • London | 190 mi (310 km) SSE |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SKIPTON |
| Postcode district | BD23 |
| Dialling code | 01756 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Grassington is a lovely town in North Yorkshire, England. It's known for its beautiful limestone scenery. In 2011, about 1,126 people lived here.
Grassington is located in a valley called Wharfedale. It's about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north-west of Bolton Abbey. You'll find other small villages nearby, like Linton and Threshfield.
Contents
A Look Back at Grassington's History
Grassington has a long and interesting history. The Domesday Book, a famous survey from 1086, mentions Grassington. It was part of a large estate owned by Gamal Barn.
After the Norman conquest of England, the land changed hands. By 1118, it belonged to Lord Percy.
What's in a Name?
The town's name has changed over time. It was once called Gherinstone, Garsington, or Gersington. The name "Grassington" comes from old languages like Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon. It means "the town of the grassy meadows" or "a farm surrounded by grass."
From Village to Market Town
Grassington was once a small part of the Linton parish. It became its own separate parish in 1866. In 1974, it became part of North Yorkshire.
Even though many locals call it a village, Grassington officially became a market town in 1282. This happened when it received a special Royal Charter for a market and fair. The market was held regularly until around 1860.
Grassington Hall is thought to be one of the oldest houses in Yorkshire. It was built in the late 1200s or early 1300s.
Lead Mining and Growth
In the 1600s, lead mining became very important in Grassington. This brought wealth and helped the town grow. The busiest time for Grassington was in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Grassington Town Hall was finished in 1855. Later, in 1902, the Yorkshire Dales Railway opened nearby. This brought many new visitors and residents to Grassington. Some found jobs in Skipton or in the growing limestone quarries.
Grassington on Screen
Grassington was used as the setting for the fictional town of Darrowby. This was for the 2020 TV show All Creatures Great and Small. The real story took place in Thirsk, but Grassington looked more like the small town the show wanted.
Filming in Grassington was easy because the town center didn't have many modern buildings. The film crew mostly changed shop signs and removed things like TV aerials.
Culture and Fun in Grassington
Grassington is a popular spot for both locals and tourists in Upper Wharfedale. Its small, cobbled square is the heart of the town. Here you'll find shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants, and hotels.
The Grassington Folk Museum tells the story of Wharfedale. It's run by volunteers and has many interesting items.
Outdoor Adventures
The area is perfect for walkers. A popular route is a circular walk that includes Burnsall. If someone gets into trouble on the hills or in caves, the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association is there to help. This group of volunteers is based in Grassington.
Festivals and Events
The Grassington Festival is a two-week event held every year since 1980. It features music, performances, and art.
Since 2011, Grassington has hosted a 1940s themed weekend every September. You can see war re-enactments, dances, and old military vehicles.
In winter, Grassington holds the Dickensian Festival. People dress in old-fashioned costumes, and there are many Christmas activities.
You can find a Yorkshire Dales National Park information center on Hebden Road. Just three miles north of Grassington is Kilnsey Crag. This is a huge rock formation carved by glaciers.
Grass Wood is an ancient woodland area. It includes an Iron-Age fort called Fort Gregory. This wood is about 3 kilometers (2 miles) north-west of Grassington.
Getting Around Grassington
Roads and Buses
Grassington is on the B6265. This road connects Skipton and Green Hammerton. Buses run regularly to Skipton. There is also a bus service to Ilkley a few days a week.
During summer, the DalesBus also serves the community. For example, on Sundays, a special double-decker DalesBus 875 runs from Wakefield, Leeds, and Ilkley to Grassington. It even continues to Aysgarth and Hawes in Wensleydale during the summer months.
Old Railway Line
Grassington used to have a train station. It was shared with Threshfield and opened in 1902. However, it closed to passengers in 1930. The tracks were later removed, except for a section used by a nearby limestone quarry.
Today, the old station site is a housing area. Some groups hope to see the train line re-opened for passengers in the future.
Schools in Grassington
Grassington has a Church of England primary school. There is also another primary school in nearby Threshfield. For secondary school, students can go to Upper Wharfedale School. Some students also attend selective schools in Skipton, like Ermysted's Grammar School (for boys) and Skipton Girls High School.
How Grassington Gets Electricity
In 1909, Grassington got its first electricity from a hydroelectric plant at Linton Falls. This plant used the power of water to make electricity. It worked until 1948, when the main electricity grid reached the area.
In 2012, a new hydroelectric power plant opened at the same spot. It uses two special "Archimedean screws" to generate electricity. This plant produces about 500,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year!
See also
In Spanish: Grassington para niños
