Horsforth facts for kids

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Town Street, Horsforth
Horsforth
Population	18,895 (2011 Census)
OS grid reference	SE236376
Civil parish	Horsforth
Metropolitan borough	City of Leeds
Metropolitan county	West Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LEEDS
Postcode district	LS18
Dialling code	0113

Police	West Yorkshire
Fire	West Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire

EU Parliament	Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament	Leeds North West
List of places UK England Yorkshire 53°50′13″N 1°38′35″W / 53.837°N 1.643°W / 53.837; -1.643

Horsforth is a town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England. It is about five miles north-west of Leeds city centre. In 2011, about 18,895 people lived there.

Horsforth used to be a village in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In 1974, it became part of the City of Leeds. Later, in 1999, it became a civil parish. The local council then decided to call itself a "town council," making Horsforth a town.

History of Horsforth
Getting Around
- Trains
- Buses
- Airport
Learning in Horsforth
- Universities and Colleges
- Schools
Buildings and Homes
Places of Worship
Scout and Guide Hut
Sports and Fun
Places to Hang Out
Famous Faces from Horsforth
Images for kids
See also

History of Horsforth

Early Days

Horsforth is mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086. It was spelled in different ways like Horseford or Hoseforde. The name probably means "horses' ford." A "ford" is a shallow place in a river where you can cross. This ford was likely on the River Aire. People used it to move wool goods to and from nearby towns like Pudsey and Bradford. A stone footbridge replaced the original ford around the 1800s.

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the land in Horsforth was given to Norman nobles. Later, much of the village came under the control of Kirkstall Abbey. This was a Cistercian monastery built in 1152 near the River Aire.

Growing Up

In 1539, the monasteries were closed down. Horsforth was then divided and sold to five families. One family, the Stanhopes, became very powerful. They controlled the village for the next 300 years.

Until the mid-1800s, Horsforth was mostly a farming community. But it grew quickly as the industrial city of Leeds expanded nearby. A leather-making business started around 1820. It later became a soap factory and moved to Leeds. This company, Joseph Watson & Sons Ltd, became very big.

Horsforth is also known for its high-quality stone. Quarries in Horsforth provided stone for Kirkstall Abbey and even for the seafront in Scarborough. Sandstone from Golden Bank Quarry was even sent as far as Egypt. Mills along Horsforth Beck also helped with the textile trade.

In the late 1800s, Horsforth became famous for being the largest village in England by population. Railways, roads, and tramways made it a busy place for transport. Many people who worked in Leeds started living in Horsforth.

In 1999, Horsforth became a civil parish again. Its local council then decided to call it a town.

Horsforth Today

The Horsforth Village Museum has many items and displays. They show what life was like in the village over time.

During the Second World War, the people of Horsforth raised £241,000. This money was used to build a warship called HMS Aubrietia. In 2000, Bill Clinton, who was the US President, thanked Horsforth for its help in the war. His letter is now in the museum.

In 2020, Horsforth was even called the "most musical village" in Britain. This was because many local music acts were trying to get their songs into the music charts.

Getting Around

Trains

Horsforth railway station is on the Harrogate line. This line connects Harrogate and Leeds. The station is just outside the Horsforth area.

Kirkstall Forge railway station is also nearby, in Kirkstall. It opened in 2016 and is on the line between Leeds City and Shipley.

There was once another station called Newlay & Horsforth. It was south of the River Aire. This station closed in 1965.

Buses

Horsforth has many bus routes connecting it to other places. You can catch buses to Leeds city centre, Holt Park, Pudsey, Guiseley, Yeadon, and Leeds Bradford Airport. There are also local bus routes that go around Horsforth itself.

Airport

The closest airport is Leeds Bradford Airport. It is in the nearby town of Yeadon and is about 2.6 miles away.

Learning in Horsforth

Universities and Colleges

Leeds Trinity University is in Horsforth. It used to be a college but is now an independent university.

Leeds City College also had a campus in Horsforth. It closed in 2017, and homes have now been built there.

Schools

The main secondary school in Horsforth is Horsforth School.

There are several primary schools in the area. These include West End Lane Primary School, St Margaret's Primary School, Newlaithes Primary School, Westbrook Lane Primary School, Broadgate Lane Primary School, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, and Featherbank Primary School.

Featherbank School opened in 1911. In 2011, it became a full primary school again, teaching children from age 4 to 11.

There is also a private primary school called The Froebelian School.

Buildings and Homes

Horsforth has many buildings made from sandstone. This stone came from local quarries. A design plan from 2010 describes the unique look and history of Horsforth's buildings.

Places of Worship

Horsforth has many churches for different faiths. Some of these include:

Lister Hill Baptist Church
Cragg Hill Baptist Church
St Margaret's Church of England
St James Woodside Church of England
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Central Methodist Church, Town Street
Grove Methodist Church
Woodside Methodist Church
Willow Green Christian Fellowship Pentecostal
St Mary's Roman Catholic Church
Leeds Trinity University campus chapel
Comboni Missionaries, Brownberrie Lane
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Mosaic Church

Scout and Guide Hut

The Scout and Guide hut on New Road Side has an interesting history. During the Second World War, it was set up as an emergency mortuary. This was for the factories near what is now Leeds Bradford International Airport. Luckily, it was never needed. Before it became a Scout and Guide hut, it was a popular cafe.

Sports and Fun

Horsforth has many sports clubs and facilities for different activities:

AFC Horsforth (football)
AFC Horsforth Junior Club (football)
Yarnbury Rugby Club
Horsforth Saints FC (football)
Horsforth St Margaret's AFC (football)
Horsforth Cricket Club
Horsforth Hall Park Cricket Club
Horsforth Harriers running club
Horsforth Fellandale running club
Horsforth Golf Club
Old Ball Football Pitches
Cragg Hill Football Pitches
The Rec football pitch
Horsforth School Astroturf (a special type of sports field)
Horsforth School Football and Rugby Pitches
Horsforth Ladies Hockey Club
West Yorkshire Wolves Junior Rugby League Club
Horsforth Tennis Club
LS18 Rocks Music School

Places to Hang Out

Horsforth has many places to eat and drink, from old traditional pubs to modern cafes. Town Street has the most places close together. Other popular areas for hanging out include Station Road and New Road Side.

Famous Faces from Horsforth

Many well-known people have connections to Horsforth:

Ed Miliband, a former leader of the Labour Party, went to Featherbank Primary School. His brother, David Miliband, went to Newlaithes Primary School.
James Milner, a famous footballer who played for Leeds United and Liverpool, went to Horsforth School.
Actors like Matthew Lewis (who played Neville Longbottom in Harry Potter), Patric Knowles, and Frazer Hines.
Nick Baines, the keyboard player from the band Kaiser Chiefs.
The singer Marc Almond went to Featherbank Primary School.
David Oxtoby, an artist.
Actor Malcolm McDowell, known for films like A Clockwork Orange.
Triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.
Paralympic gold medallist David Stone (cyclist).
Olympic cycling bronze medallist Jonny Clay.
Sean Conlon, who was in the boyband Five, grew up in Horsforth.
Sam Tordoff, a racing driver.
Kathryn Apanowicz, an actress from EastEnders.
Cricketers Stanley Metcalfe and Frank Kershaw.
Belinda O'Hooley, a folk musician.
Nia Archives, a DJ, producer, singer, and songwriter.