Bradford has long been surrounded by some of the most beautiful and scenic towns in West Yorkshire.
There are many towns across England named some variation of Burley, which translates from Old English as meaning a fortification near open land by a wood. As a result, the ‘in-Wharfedale’ part of the name serves to keep it identifiable from the other places with the same name.
Burley-in-Wharfedale, as the name suggests, sits in the Yorkshire Dales, close to the border of North and West Yorkshire. With snow still covering much of the region, the town still has a distinctly winter feel.
One of the churches in Burley-in-Wharfedale
The town is very old, with reference to it in the Domesday Book all the way back in 1086 during the reign of William the Conqueror.
While there has been a settlement in the area for hundreds of years, the modern town dates back to the industrial revolution. This industrial heritage is evident here as it is in Bradford itself and many of the towns surrounding it.
Greenholme Mills was a textile mill on the edge of town and much of the population will have once worked in the mill itself. The mill made use of hydropower from the River Wharfe and sat along Iron Row.
Greenholme Mill is now a housing development
As with every town across the region, eventually the mill closed down, sitting empty for many years. These days, the mill is now home to a housing development, breathing some new life into the area.
When it comes to the rest of the town, it still retains much of its industrial character, while its surrounding countryside is beautiful and scenic. At this time of year, with the town bathed in snow and the winter sun, it really does make for some stunning views even when just walking through the streets of Burley-in-Wharfedale.
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Many small industrial towns are also filled with historic churches, to serve the many communities who came to work in the industrial areas and Burley-in-Wharfedale is no different, with three different churches found around the town centre. It is also filled with plenty of parks and green spaces, meaning you are never too far from nature while in the town.
These days, the town features many of the more modern conveniences of today’s society, with restaurants featuring Indian and Chinese food lining the streets, alongside a Co-op store near the town centre. Just a few miles from Otley and Ilkley and with a train station providing access into Bradford, the town is well situated these days for commuting in to work.
The main street in Burley-in-Wharfedale
Surrounded by nature, it really is a beautiful place to live, with plenty of country walks available for those who want some country air. With its easy access to the city, this means it provides a good place to live for those who work in the city, but who want a quieter place to come back to.
However, according to Rightmove, the average house price in the area sits at £394,290, so its not a cheap place to buy a home.
Whether you’re thinking of a new place to live, or just want to visit an old Yorkshire town, Burley-in-Wharfedale really does provide almost everything you need.
Burley-in-Wharfedale is surrounded by green fields