Aberford

Main Street in Aberford

After a quick look at Lotherton Hall Chapel, the end of a very full day of exploration - which started at Barwick-in-Elmet - entailed a walk around the village of Aberford, where my hostess Norma dropped me off to catch the bus back to Leeds. 

Main Street in Aberford

Set on the old Great North Road, at the crossing point of the Cock River, this settlement was considered important in ancient times and in the vicinity there are the earthworks known as the Aberford Dykes and the remains of a Roman fort buried beneath Aberford House. 

Aberford House

Entering the village from the south along the straight old Roman road, we didn’t stop at the Gascoigne Almshouses on the outskirts of the village, which were once part of the Partington Hall estate, but it is just one of many fine buildings that lined either side of the street.

The former Swan Hotel

Most of the historic buildings are constructed in dolomitic limestone from the underlying Cadeby Formation but, as in Barwick-in-Elmet, many are rendered and several terraced houses are made of red brick. 

A view down Main Street to Aberford Bridge

Being dropped off at the corner of Cattle Lane, where I would catch my bus back to Leeds in 45 minutes time, I didn’t have the time to wander back to a part of the village which lies on a ridge and where there are outcrops of limestone at the sides of the road. 

Field House

After taking a few photos of Aberford House and the former Swan Hotel, one of several coaching inns in the village, I then went to find the Arabian Horse public house, where I had a well deserved pint of Theakston’s bitter. 

A pint of Theakston's bitter at the Arabian Horse public house

Having seen many points of interest while driving along Main Street, I could easily have spent a couple of hours further exploring this very attractive village - most of which is a Conservation Area - as well as enjoying some more fine beer, but I was still a very long way from home.

The Watermill