Hawksworth, Leeds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hawksworth |
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 The Broadway, Hawksworth |
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 Hawksworth
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| OS grid reference | SE254369 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LEEDS |
| Postcode district | LS5 |
| Police | West Yorkshire |
| Fire | West Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Hawksworth is a small neighbourhood in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in the early 1900s. You can find it in the Kirkstall area.
Hawksworth sits on a hill between West Park and Horsforth. Roads like Butcher Hill, the A65, and Vesper Road surround it. People often call Hawksworth "The Hawk" or "The Hawky Estate." It is part of the LS5 Kirkstall postcode area.
Contents
What's in a Name? The History of Hawksworth's Name
The name Hawksworth was given to this area when it was built in the 1900s. It's a fairly new name for this specific estate. There's also an older village called Hawksworth about five miles away. It's possible the name was used for this estate because of that village.
The name Hawksworth Wood likely refers to a forest that once stood west of Kirkstall Abbey. This wood was important for the abbey. It provided shelter, firewood, and building materials like thatch. The abbey's founder, Alexander, wanted to protect this woodland. So, timber for building was usually brought from other places.
A Look Back: Hawksworth's History
After the First World War, the government wanted to build new homes. These were called 'Homes fit for Heroes'. By 1930, over 7,000 new council houses were built in Leeds. Hawksworth Wood was one of these new housing estates.
The woodlands around Hawksworth are part of the Upper Aire Valley. Some parts of these woods were once used for quarrying stone. But now, they have grown back into forests and bushy areas.
Local Woodlands and Nature
These woodlands have many different kinds of trees. You'll mostly find oak and sycamore trees. Smaller plants like rowan, hazel, holly, and guelder rose grow underneath. You can also find small patches of heather. These woods add a lot of colour and variety to the area. They are managed to make sure trees of all ages continue to grow there. Great Hawksworth has been looked after recently. People have removed trees that don't belong and helped the smaller plants grow.
The Rare 1933 Penny
Here's an interesting story about the area! A very rare coin, a 1933 Penny of George V, was placed under the foundation stone of St. Mary's Church. Only a few of these coins were ever made. They were created for special presentations. Most people thought these pennies were so rare they would never find one.
In 1933, the Royal Mint didn't need to make many pennies. There were already enough in circulation. But some people asked for sets of 1933 coins to put under new buildings. So, the Mint made a small number just for this purpose. This made the 1933 penny very special and rare.
Later, in 1970, a similar rare penny was taken from another church. To protect the St. Mary's Church penny, the Bishop of Ripon decided to have it removed and sold. This was done to keep it safe from being taken.
Paths and Hidden Spots
Many public paths run through the woods. You can enter them from Butcher Hill, Hawksworth Road, and other nearby streets. There's also a metal hatch in Hawksworth Woods. This is actually the entrance to an old explosives storage area. It was used when the woods were quarried for stone. Some people have thought it was a Second World War shelter.
What's Around? Shops and Services in Hawksworth
Hawksworth has several shops and services for residents. You can find a Co-op supermarket and a LloydsPharmacy. There are also two smaller Premier shops. Other places include takeaway restaurants, hairdressing salons, and a charity shop.
There used to be a Post Office on Broadway. It closed because there weren't enough staff to run it. Now, one of the Premier stores handles most Post Office services. The postbox outside the old Broadway Post Office is still used.
In the 1990s, a pub called The Woodway on Vesper Road closed down.
Learning in Hawksworth: Schools and Education
Primary Education in Hawksworth
Hawksworth Wood Primary School is the only primary school in the area. In the 1970s, the school was split into two. One part became Hawksworth Wood Primary. The other became Vesper Gate Middle School. Vesper Gate Middle School has since been turned into the Hawksworth Wood Children's Centre. When it first opened, the Children's Centre offered adult education classes. These were run by Leeds City College, but they closed soon after.
Secondary Education Near Hawksworth
Hawksworth itself does not have any secondary schools. However, there are many secondary schools nearby. Students from Hawksworth can attend schools like Abbey Grange Church of England Academy, Lawnswood School, and Horsforth School.
Culture and Media Connections
An episode of the TV show A Touch of Frost was filmed in Hawksworth. The episode was called "Held in Trust" and came out in 2003. Some scenes were shot at Hawksworth Primary School.
