| Kildwick | |
|
Kildwick
Kildwick shown within North Yorkshire |
|
| Population | 191 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SE008461 |
| Parish | Kildwick |
| District | Craven |
| Shire county | North Yorkshire |
| Region | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | KEIGHLEY |
| Postcode district | BD20 |
| Dialling code | 01535 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament | Skipton and Ripon |
| List of places: UK • England • Yorkshire | |
Kildwick, or Kildwick-in-Craven, is a village and civil parish of the District of Craven in North Yorkshire, England. It is situated between Skipton and Keighley and has a population of 191.[1] The village has a number of local amenities including a primary school, church (see below), post office and public house.
Contents |
The bridge a Kildwick is the first stone bridge recorded in Craven and the oldest bridge in Airedale. In 1780 the bridge was widened by the Keighley and Kendal Turnpike Trust and, though not apparently, is structurally two bridges standing side‐by‐side. The upstream side with ribbed vaulting and two pointed arches is the 14th century original.
Kildwick being the only point at which the route from Keighley to Skipton crosses the River Aire made it a very busy place. Indeed traffic volumes became so great they necessitated in 1968-88 the building of the A629 to by-pass the village.
The village stands close by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. and was served by Kildwick and Crosshills railway station until that was closed in 1965.
The ancient parish of Kildwick was once remarkably extensive but it was divided into a number of parishes the 19th century, however Cross Hills on the other side of the River Aire is still in the parish of St Andrew's.
St Andrew’s is a historically significant church. Founded in the early days of Christianity it has a connection with Bolton Priory in Wharfedale, the Manor of Kildwick coming under the jurisdiction of the Priors of Bolton between the 12th and 16th centuries.
Fragments of 9th century crosses have been excavated from its walls, evidence of the Anglo Saxon church built here before the Norman conquest. It was replaced by one of stone four centuries later. This was later lengthened, with further extensions eastwards during the 15th and 16th centuries, so that it is now one of the longest in Yorkshire hence known locally as 'The Lang Kirk of Craven'
The church was restored in 1873 by the Lancaster partnership of Paley and Austin.[4] Many changes have taken place since then, with the last major reordering being carried out in the early 1900s.
Charlotte Brontë and other members of the Brontë family were acquainted with the church.