Acomb, Yorkshire

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Acomb is the largest suburb in the unitary authority of City of York in the north of England, to the western side of York, south of Upper Poppleton and north of Bishopthorpe.

The name is Anglo-Saxon Old English acum, 'at the oak trees', and indicates that the suburb was first established in a heavily wooded area of oaks. Acomb existed before the Norman Conquest and was the property of the Dean and Chapter of York Minster. Neighbouring Acomb Grange was the residence of the masters of the great medieval hospital of St Leonard. There are two 15th century timber-framed houses here, and it was made a Conservation Area in 1975. Though it now largely appears a suburb of York, the historic part of the village along Front Street and the Green retain their village character. It is also an Area of Archaeological Importance.

Situated behind The Green is Acomb Sports & Social Club, which is home to Acomb Cricket Club and Acomb Hockey Club. Acorn Rugby League Club, who play in the National Conference Division 2, have their home ground at Thanet Road in Acomb.

Acomb has three comprehensive schools: Oaklands, Lowfield & Manor C of E. (Of September 2007, Lowfield and Oaklands schools will be merging to form York High School). None of these has a sixth form as all students who wish to take 'A' levels go to the Sixth Form College on Tadcaster Road. The Sixth Form College was formed when the system of Grammar Schools was discontinued in York in 1985. There are also 6 Primary Schools: Acomb, Carr, English Martyr's RC, Hob Moor, Our Lady's RC and Westfield.

Acomb has a small shopping area with free car parking at the local supermarket. Residential homes are a mixture of council estates and private freeholds. With the closure of the Railway Carriage Works there is no major manufacturing in Acomb anymore. With easy access to the York outer Ring Road and to the A64 (Leeds-Scarborough), Acomb's population has been supplemented with commuters to other Yorkshire Cities such as Leeds.