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Visit Historical Kirkheaton
Today Kirkheaton is a pleasant residential area, only a few miles from the centre of Huddersfield, but yet with the countryside right on its doorstep.
Home to a selection of small shops in its centre, Kirkheaton is very popular with house hunters keen to make their home in the area. It is particularly known for its impressive church, St John’s, for its popular local pubs including The Beaumont Arms next to the parish church and for the annual Yetton Rant, the traditional local fair.
Indeed Kirkheaton has also been known as Yetton - along with Heton and Hepstone - over the years and has a history dating back over 1,000 years.
Mentioned in the Domesday Book, it is believed that there was some form of settlement on the hillside before this. The word ‘heaton’ actually means ‘high farmstead’ which is perhaps some clue to its origins.
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During the 1500s and 1600s the population of Kirkheaton began to grow slowly and in 1574 there was an important addition to the village population with the birth of Sir Richard Beaumont. His family was to live in the area for over 400 years and often contributed to the growth of the parish and the welcome of the parishioners.
In fact Richard Beaumont was to build the former Kirkheaton Grammar School in 1610 to provide education for village boys.
During the 17th and 18th Centuries many of the local residents worked on the land which was particularly suitable for arable farming and dairy cattle. People also worked as home weavers, building up a local home industry in their weaver’s cottages. Sadly, along with many other places, Kirkheaton no longer has its textile industry and it was in 2005 that 125 years of textile excellence came to an end when weaving stopped at Huddersfield Fine Worsteds.
However the Kirkheaton of today is still a fine village with some excellent small businesses. Let’s take a look at just a few who have established themselves more recently in the village:
Now open in Bankfield Lane is the designer childrenswear shop Pink Or Blue. Run by Kirsty Fleetwood, the shop catering for both boys and girls from birth to eight-years-old, was opened last Autumn and is already establishing itself as a firm favourite with local parents.
Labels now in stock include Mayoral from Spain which features a collection for girls and boys, Ollie (for boys), Lily Rio (for girls) and Eliane et Lena (both girls and boys). All these labels are exclusive to Pink Or Blue in the local area.
With a great selection of summer fashions now in stock, Pink Or Blue also sells a range of beach shoes including flip flops.
Also open in Bankfield Lane is The Linen Room which stocks greetings cards for all occasions, gift bags and a range of gift ideas including lavendar bags.
Run by Susan Goldthorpe, the shop also features a range of handmade cards for when you want something really special.
Open Monday to Saturday (closed Tuesdays), The Linen Room is already gaining a reputation for offering something a little different. On Saturdays the shop opens 10am to 2pm.
If you’re looking for home furnishings, then take a look at Greens Furnishings Ltd, located in Town Top, Kirkheaton and formerly known as Kirklees Carpets and Curtains.
This family-run business specialises in carpets and curtains but also stocks a range of blinds, loose covers and much more to add those essential finishing touches to the home.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, the shop also has a late night on Thursdaysuntil 8pm.
Published Summer 2007. All information correct at time of prin
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