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Sights in Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge is a town in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, four miles west of Halifax. The town is on the south bank of the River Calder and the lower slopes of the South Pennine hills. It is served by Sowerby Bridge railway station.
Sowerby Bridge is built on the A6033 road which between Halifax and Todmorden follows the south bank of the River Calder. The town’s market was formerly held in the square by the Market Hall, but moved to the top of Rochdale Road in the 1970s. There is a glassblowing factory on the edge of the town.
The history of Sowerby Bridge is closely linked to the industrial Revolution and the town’s position on the River Calder. The coming of the HalifaxElland Canal in 1797 and the railway in 1840 led to a period of rapid growth and the town became an important mill town and engineering centre. Many of the town’s Victorian buildings are still in evidence today.
The town’s central geographical position means that it has always been a popular place to live and work. In recent years there has been a resurgence in the popularity of Sowerby Bridge as a place to live and work and there are plans for further regeneration of the town centre.
Sowerby Bridge has a wide range of shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, bowling alley, golf course and football and rugby clubs. There is also a monthly farmers’ market.
The town is home to Sowerby Bridge Library, which was designed by the renowned Victorian architect, Edward Blore, and opened in 1851. The library is now a Grade II listed building.
Sowerby Bridge is an attractive town with a wide range of shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, bowling alley, golf course and football and rugby clubs. It is also home to Sowerby Bridge Library, which was designed by the renowned Victorian architect, Edward Blore, and opened in 1851.
History of Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge is a town in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England. The town is on the River Calder, 4 miles (6 km) east of Halifax and 14 miles (23 km) west of Bradford. It had a population of 7,465 in 2001, which had increased to 7,672 by the 2011 Census. Sowerby Bridge is in the parliamentary constituency of Calder Valley.
The name Sowerby is derived from the Old English sōþ byrig, meaning “the southern settlement”. The Bridge suffix was added in the late 18th century.
Sowerby Bridge grew rapidly in the 19th century with the coming of the Halifax and Ovenden Branch Line in 1850 and the construction of the Manchester and Leeds Railway in 1841. The town became a commuter town for people working in Halifax, Bradford and Leeds.
The Rochdale Canal reached Sowerby Bridge in 1797, providing a link to Manchester and theSEA via the local ironstone mines and limestone quarries. The canal was used to transport coal from Lancashire to Yorkshire. It fell into disuse in the mid20th century but has since been restored.
In 1854, Sowerby Bridge was described as
“a neat and thriving town pleasantly situated on the declivity of a hill, on the north side of the Calder, over which is a handsome stone bridge of five arches, crossing to the south side where the valley opens out into the Vale of Calder. It is a station on the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway, 4 miles from Halifax, 14 from Bradford, and 196 from London, and in the West Riding Court of Petty Sessions, Halifax polling district and rural deanery, Huddersfield archdeaconry and Wakefield diocese. The living is a rectory* in the gift of the Earl of Clarendon, and held since 1874 by the Rev. W. H. Wheeler M.A. There are chapels for the Independents, Wesleyans and Roman Catholics, and a free grammar school founded and endowed in 1554 by Thomas Savile, who was born here. The town has a head post office‡, two banking offices, and is a seat of petty sessions and county courts. Fairs are held on the 11th of May and 18th of November. The town hall and other buildings are erected on an eminence commanding fine views of the valley and Calder. The manufacture of carpet yarns, worsted and woolen cloths is carried on. Limestone is found in the neighbourhood and coal at a short distance. The website for the parish council gives the area of the civil parish as 3,487 acres (1,415 hectares).
Nearby villages are Mytholmroyd, Norland, Cragg Vale, Luddendenfoot, Erringden Grange, Midgley and Rastrick.
Sowerby Bridge’s Town Hall was built in 1879 on land donated by Colonel Thomas Savile. It was designed by William Henry Crossland and includes a public hall and library.
The town expanded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the building of several large mills. Mitchell’s Mill was built in 1866, Brow Mill in 1873 and Abbey Mills in 1874. All three mills are now derelict.
Brow Mills was the site of a major fire in June 1995 which destroyed the roof and much of the first floor. The mill was subsequently demolished.
Sowerby Bridge is twinned with SaintJeandeBournay in France.
The town has two nonconformist chapels, a Roman Catholic church, and the Grade I listed Anglican parish church of St Peter’s, which is part of a joint benefice with Ripponden.
Sowerby Bridge Grammar School was founded in 1554 by Thomas Savile. The school moved to its present site on Market Street in 1876.
Sowerby Bridge Library was built in 1882 and extended in 1903. It is a Grade II listed building.
Sowerby Bridge Museum is housed in the former Market Hall, which was built in 1857. The museum contains exhibits on the social and industrial history of Sowerby Bridge and the surrounding area.
The town has a number of pubs, including the Crossroads Inn, the Hobbit, the Holly Bush, the New Inn, the Shoulder of Mutton, the Swan, the White Cross, and the Three Pigeons.
Sowerby Bridge is home to Sowerby Bridge R.F.C., a rugby union club which plays in Yorkshire Division One.
Sowerby Bridge was the birthplace of the novelist, playwright and screenwriter J. B. Priestley.
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Vacation in Sowerby Bridge
Tourism is a booming industry. The United Kingdom is known for its rich history, picturesque countryside, and diverse culture. Sowerby Bridge is a small town located in West Yorkshire, England. The town is situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, surrounded by scenic countryside. Sowerby Bridge is an ideal destination for those who are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life. There are a variety of activities and attractions in and around Sowerby Bridge that are sure to appeal to a wide range of interests.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. The Dales are home to a number of picturesque villages, hiking trails, and waterfalls. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, and canoeing. There are also several golf courses in the area.
Those interested in the area’s history will find plenty to explore in Sowerby Bridge. The town was an important stop on the LeedsLiverpool Canal. The canal was used to transport goods and materials between the two cities. The canal is now a popular recreational spot for boaters and walkers. The town is also home to the Sowerby Bridge Museum, which houses a collection of local artifacts and documents the town’s history.
For shopping and dining, Sowerby Bridge offers a variety of options. The town has several independent shops selling unique items, as well as familiar chain stores. There are also several pubs and restaurants, serving both traditional British fare and more internationallyinspired dishes.
Whether you’re looking for an active vacation or a more relaxing one, Sowerby Bridge is an excellent choice. The town is situated in a beautiful setting and offers a range of activities and attractions to suit a variety of interests.
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