Starbeck, North Yorkshire

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Starbeck is an area of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. It has many facilities, including Starbeck railway station, which serves the Harrogate line. Frequent services depart to Harrogate, Leeds and York.

History of Starbeck
Starbeck village was originally part of the ancient Royal Forest of Knaresborough, which is situated to south of the River Nidd It is North of the Rivers Wharfe and Washbum, and West of Blubberhouse Moor. The village traces its source in swamp ground between the old market town of Knaresborough and the settlement of High Harrogate. The ‘Star Beck’ flows into the Rivers Crimple and Nidd, then into the North Sea.
The Spa
During the last quarter of the 16th century mineral springs were discovered in the Harrogate area and two springs were discovered, close together, beside what was by now known as the Star Beck. Known as Starbeck Old Spa, the springs were given a cover and a basin, and were visited for the next two hundred years The forest was enclosed around 1778. The lands were then neglected and almost disappeared. A Knaresborough man called Michael Calvert restored the springs and in 1828 opened the Harrogate area's first public baths under the name of Knaresborough Spa Baths. In 1868 another spring was discovered and from in 1870 the Prince of Wales Baths, now the public swimming baths, were opened. After years of rivalry between the two private companies, the Knaresborough spa baths closed in 1890. Harrogate Council bought both establishments in 1900. The Prince of Wales baths remained open until 1939.
The railways come to Starbeck
With the forest enclosure the start of the village began to appear. The railways came to Starbeck in 1848 and over the next twenty or so years, the railway buildings began to increase and with them a corn mill, malt house and water bottling plant. The population expanded rapidly in this period, most families owing their livelihood in some way to the railway.
Decline of the railways
In the 1950s the decline set in. In 1951 the Pateley Bridge line and the line to Pannal closed. In September 1959 the engine shed and marshalling yard closed for good. In 1967 the passenger service to Ripon was withdrawn.
The last goods train travelled the old Leeds to Thirsk railway line from Starbeck to Northallerton on October 9th 1969. By 1969 the station was no longer manned and the station, goods shed and coal depot were demolished in 1978.
Starbeck today
Starbeck today is a busy thriving community. The High Street has many shops including chemist, post office, butcher’s shops, general stores, a car dealership, motorcycle sales shop, and even a chimney sweep who sells wood burning fires. The many shops in the High Street and several small industrial areas are all close by, surrounded by residential developments.
Taylors Yorkshire Tea factory is within Starbeck.
There is a major supermarket (Wm Morrisons) in Starbeck together with large electrical retailers.
There are two public houses on the High Street - the Prince of Wales and the Henry Peacock, (named after a well-known local resident of the 19th century) which is immediately adjacent to the railway station and level crossing.
Starbeck is described as being a very friendly community with active schools, societies and churches all working together.
In 2006 Starbeck was the winner of the Royal Horticultural Society award in the Urban Community Category. Starbeck achieved a Silver Gilt Award and the Commercial Award and local resident Christine Stewart received a Commendation Award.
Walking
There are many good walks to be enjoyed in the countryside around Starbeck. There are excellent walks along the River Nidd and from Starbeck it is possible to walk to Knaresborough, the nearby villages of Bilton, Calcutt, Follifoot, and Pannel.
Visitor attractions
Knaresborough and Harrogate are the nearest large visitor attractions to Starbeck. Knaresborough is just two miles from Starbeck and easily accessible on bus, train, by car, or on foot.
Knaresborough boasts a castle, the Olde Chemyst Shoppe, Mother Shipton’s cave and petrifying well, as well as boating on the river, and many cafes including the famous Riverside Café (a venue for cyclists since the 1920’s).
There are events through the year in Knaresborough. Harrogate is also easily accessible and has many visitor attractions including the Spa baths, Harlow Carr gardens, Betty’s Tea Rooms and the Conference Centre.