Central Locksmiths Course Venue

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Bingley - an ancient town in the county of York, has a wealth of history dating back to Saxon times. Some of its heritage has gone, much remains, and well worth the time taken to wander around its streets and country lanes.

Have a walk down the old Beckfoot Lane to the bridge over the ford, past the farmhouse with its Knight Templars inscription and lanterns on the roof. The bridge itself was built in 1723 for the princely sum of £10, on condition that it was fully maintained for seven years. Back along the lane to Myrtle Park, previously the grounds of Myrtle Grove, Springhead Farm was demolished and, in 1770, Johnson Atkinson built the present house. In 1772, when his wife Elizabeth's uncle died at Ryshworth Hall, Elizabeth inherited Ryshworth and Johnson Atkinson added Busfeild to his name. John Wesley visited it and called it his 'Little Paradise'. In the Main Street, we can see the Mechanics Institute built in 1864 which has had many uses - School, Town Hall, Library, to name but a few. On the opposite side of the road, the old Butter Cross, Stocks and Market Hall, first built and situated near the end of Ferrand Lane in 1753, moved up to Prince of Wales Park in 1888, and was re-sited in its present position in 1984, thanks to the efforts of the Bingley Civic Trust.

Down Park Road, once called Toad Lane, you will find the National School opened in 1814, the first of its kind, built on land owned by the Ferrand.Take a look at the Parish Church, which according to records, was built (on possibly an earlier site) by Wm. Paganell, then Lord of the Manor, who gave it to the Priory of Drax near Selby, from whence came the early Vicars of Bingley dating from 1228. The Church houses an old Rune Stone, believed to be Saxon; the bases of the pillars are Norman. In the Church Yard are one or two interesting gravestones, Hesekiah Briggs, Sexton and bellringer and Wm. Shaw who for 40 years maintained a wife and numerous issue on 2 shillings per week wages.
Across the road not far from the tower, there is the "Old Grammar School House", home of its Headmaster. Possibly its best known resident was Halliwell Sutcliffe, author of "The Striding Dales" and "By Moor and Fell", during the time of his father's tenure of the headmastership.

Back down the Old Main Street, you will pass the Old White Horse, an old coaching Inn, a popular halt for refreshments
while the horses were being changed. Turn right over Ireland Bridge and up the winding road to St. Ives, or perhaps first climb the rocky road built by Ferrand up to the Altar Rock, high on the moors, with extensive views of the valley. St. Ives itself was built on land acquired by the Ferrands in 1639. Up above the house on the edge of the moor is the memorial to William Busfeild Ferrand, an obelisk situated above 'Lady Blantyres Rock' a favourite spot of his Mother-in-Law, Lady Blantyre.