Burley Grange or The Grange, corner of Main Street & Station Road, Burley in Wharfedale
Burley Grange (& its estate) was built by John Peele Clapham (formerly of Burley Hall) in 1840-1 as a private residence called "The Grange". Its possible that there was a previous building on the site, but the evidence for this is pretty sketchy.
In 1849, The Grange was sold by John P Clapham to J. Hamer Stansfeld (1797-1865)(Lord Mayor of Leeds 1843) & between 1860 to 1885 it was owned by Thomas Emsley (1816-1885), who'd also lived at Burley House. 1886 - The executors of Thomas Emsley's will sold The Grange buildings & its lands within Burley in Wharfedale, to James Hodson. (Horner Ashe & Jane, his wife, were installed in The Grange lodge on Main Street, as the gardener). |
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James Hodson (1828-1895) was an export stuff merchant at 32 Hall Ings, Bradford who had interests in trading with the USA. After James' death in 1895, his wife Marianne Eliza Hodson nee MacDougall (b1835) continued to live in The Grange, up to her own death in 1900. Interests in The Grange & its lands passed to the James Hodson Trust.
In 1904 Burley Urban District Council (BUDC) began negotiations with the James Hodson Trust to purchase The Grange buildings for £1660. The transaction was completed in 1905. This purchase didn't involve any of the gardens (Grange Park) nor land - now Hodson Park - on the other side of the track that became Grange Road.
The Grange buildings were converted to Council offices in 1905 by the Burley Woodhead architect Harry Sutton Chorley. The rear of the building was leased to a new gentleman's club called "The Grange Club" (1905-1992).
In 1910 BUDC attempted to purchase a portion of the gardens to create a park in commemoration of the coronation of George V and his wife Queen Mary. The negotiations with the James Hodson Trust failed.
The Grange buildings were converted to Council offices in 1905 by the Burley Woodhead architect Harry Sutton Chorley. The rear of the building was leased to a new gentleman's club called "The Grange Club" (1905-1992).
In 1910 BUDC attempted to purchase a portion of the gardens to create a park in commemoration of the coronation of George V and his wife Queen Mary. The negotiations with the James Hodson Trust failed.
In 1914 the BUDC successfully negotiated the buying of The Grange gardens from the James Hodson Trust. The high wall that surrounded them was reduced in height & the locals gained access.
In 1923 the Burley District War Memorial was unveiled & dedicated at the front of the building. The design was by Harry Sutton Chorley.
In 1924/25 Burley in Wharfedale Sports Club (which included Burley in Wharfedale cricket club) bought a part of Hodson's Park from the trustees of the James Hodson estate. In 1926 public baths were opened at Burley Grange, in a building which stood on the present car park. These were not for swimming but for personal cleanliness and laundry. The charge for a “slipper” bath was 6 pence. Males and females were allocated separate times in the week.
In 1937 Ilkley Urban District Council took over the building with the demise of BUDC under local government re-organisation. It became the site of Burley Public Library as well as council offices.
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1962 Demolition of the gardener's cottage in the grounds, next to the Grange entrance on Main Street. c1962 Demolition of the stables on Station Road. |
In 1974 the West Riding County Council and Ilkley Urban District Council were abolished & ownership of the building passed to Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
Burley Library was moved to a new building on Grange Road in the same year.
Burley Library was moved to a new building on Grange Road in the same year.
1986 ownership passed to Bradford & Ilkley College. In 2006 Bradford College stopped using it & put the building up for sale. It 2008 it was bought by Alan Hayes (..... to be continued - contributions welcomed - contact us - particularly interested in the businesses who've used it as their base, now & in the past).
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Businesses based at The Grange / Burley Grange:
As of 2023
Cock Pit Farm Tea Rooms moved from its base at Weston, near Otley, to Burley Grange at Burley-in-Wharfedale. Re-opened November 2020.
Song Thai Spa - Thai massage salon, treatments available Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays.
LFW Podiatry / Chiropody & Wellness Clinic. HCPC Registered.
Allison & Macrae Ltd - architects - 01943 862785
Lexa Hair Salon - Lower Ground Floor, The Grange, Burley in Wharfedale. 01943 865043.
From end of March, beginning of April 2023 combining with Lexa Hair Salon - Holly Wilkinson "HW Hair" 07713 715996
Burley Community Library & Burley Archive, Grange Road, Burley in Wharfedale, West Yorkshire England LS29 7HD
Opening Times: Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm, Thursday 2.00pm to 7.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm. Closed Wednesday & Sunday
Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us
Burley Archive & Local History Group: Drop-In Sessions Friday 2.30pm to 4.30pm. For other times please contact us