Settle, North Yorkshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Settle |
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 Settle Town Hall |
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 Settle
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| Population | 2,564 (2011 census) |
| OS grid reference | SD816640 |
| • London | 200 mi (320 km) SE |
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| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SETTLE |
| Postcode district | BD24 |
| Dialling code | 01729 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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| Website | http://www.visitsettle.co.uk/ |
Settle is a lively market town in North Yorkshire, England. It's a place where people have traded goods for a very long time! Back in 2011, about 2,564 people lived here.
Contents
Discover Settle's Past
Settle's story began around the 7th century. Its name comes from an old Angle word meaning "settlement." In 1250, King Henry III gave permission for Settle to hold a market. This helped the town grow, and a market square became the heart of Settle.
Settle During the English Civil War
During the English Civil War (1642-1651), the local lords of Settle supported the King. However, many people living in Settle did not agree with them. In 1651, General John Lambert, a leader in Cromwell's army, even camped his troops in Settle.
How Settle Grew: Roads and Railways
Settle was once quite isolated, surrounded by hills. The first roads were just paths for pack horses and for moving animals. The valley was often wet and swampy.
Building Better Roads
In the 1700s, people wanted better roads to connect Settle with growing industrial towns. A special road, called a turnpike, was built. This new road helped Settle's cotton mills and other businesses boom. It made it easier to bring in coal and send out goods like agricultural lime and stone. The first passenger stagecoach arrived in 1763, making travel much faster.
The Arrival of Trains
The railway reached nearby Giggleswick in 1847. Then, in 1875, the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway was built. This railway opened Settle railway station and made it even easier to transport goods and people.
Settle's Cotton Mills
In the late 1700s, spinning cotton became a major job in Settle. Mills like Bridge End Mill changed from grinding corn to spinning cotton. By 1835, Settle had five mills that employed 333 people, showing how important cotton was to the town.
How Settle is Governed
Settle is part of the Skipton and Ripon area for the UK Parliament. This means people in Settle vote for a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the House of Commons in London.
Locally, Settle is part of the new North Yorkshire Council. The town also has its own town council with 10 councillors. They work to make decisions for the local community. The mayor is chosen each year.
Since 1992, Settle has been "twinned" with Banyuls-sur-Mer, a town in France. This means the two towns have a special friendship and often share cultural events.
Settle's Natural Beauty
Settle is nestled in Ribblesdale, right on the edge of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. It's close to the famous Three Peaks. A huge limestone rock called Castlebergh, about 300 feet (91 meters) high, overlooks the town.
The River Ribble flows through Settle. It used to power the old cotton mills. Today, the river helps create clean energy with the Settle Hydro, a small hydroelectric power plant that opened in 2009.
Getting Around Settle
Settle has its own Settle railway station on the Settle-Carlisle line. You can catch trains here to Leeds and Carlisle. Another station, Giggleswick railway station, is about a mile away.
Buses connect Settle to nearby towns like Skipton and Kirkby Lonsdale. The main road, the B6480, links Settle to the larger A65 road, making it easy to reach other places.
Local News and Media
Because Settle is near the borders of Lancashire and North Yorkshire, local TV news comes from BBC North West and Granada Television. For radio, you can listen to BBC Radio York, Greatest Hits Radio Yorkshire, and Dales Radio. The local newspaper is the Craven Herald & Pioneer.
Things to Do in Settle
Settle is a great place to visit! Its market is held every Tuesday in the town square and at the Victoria Hall. Many of the shops are family-owned and offer unique items. The Naked Man cafe is believed to be the oldest cafe in the country!
Festivals and Arts
Settle hosts the Yorkshire Festival of Story, which brings artists and storytellers to the town. It's a big event that attracts visitors from all over the world. Since 2014, the Flowerpot Festival has also brightened the town's streets with creative displays.
Exploring History and Art
The Folly is a beautiful 17th-century building that is now home to the Museum of North Craven Life. Here, you can learn about the Settle-Carlisle Line, local history, and see special exhibitions.
Settle also has some unique art galleries:
- The Gallery on the Green is thought to be the smallest art gallery in the world, located in an old telephone box!
- Gavagan Arts at Linton Court Gallery shows modern and contemporary art.
- The Listening Gallery is another old phone box that offers changing audio exhibitions.
Discovering Ancient Caves
The area around Settle has several caves where amazing prehistoric remains have been found. The most famous is Victoria Cave, named because it was discovered on the day Queen Victoria became queen in 1837. Inside, scientists have found fossils of animals like mammoths, cave bears, and even hippos that lived here long ago!
Cultural Connections
The famous composer Edward Elgar often visited Settle to see his friend Dr. Charles William Buck. There's a special plaque at Cravendale to remember his visits.
Schools in Settle
Settle has two schools: Settle Primary School and Settle College. Just west of town is Giggleswick School, a well-known private school founded in 1512.
Famous People from Settle
Many interesting people have connections to Settle, including:
- George Birkbeck (1776–1841), who started the Mechanics' Institutes, which helped educate working people.
- Reverend Benjamin Waugh (1839–1908), who founded the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children).
- Mike Harding (born 1944), a popular singer and comedian.
- James Newman (born 1985), a singer and songwriter who represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest.
- John Newman (born 1990), a soul singer.
See also
In Spanish: Settle (Yorkshire del Norte) para niños
