Barking and District Historical Society

Yorkshire Sketches

Bolton Abbey – The Abbey Church 1939

Bolton Abbey was technically a priory, despite its name. It was founded in 1154 by the Augustinian order, on the banks of the River Wharfe. The nave of the abbey church was in use as a parish church from about 1170 onwards, and survived the Dissolution  of the Monasteries. The east end remains in ruins. A tower, begun in 1520, was left half-standing, and its base was later given a bell-turret and converted into an entrance porch.

Most of the remaining church is in the Gothic style of architecture, but more work was done in the Victorian era, including windows by August Pugin. It is still a working priory today, holding services on Sundays and religious holidays.

Burnsall – The River Wharf

The original Grade II listed ashlar stone bridge was built in 1609 thanks to a gift of money from local benefactor Sir William Craven who also paid for Burnsall Grammar School. In 1752 it was described as being "a good bridge and all paved". It was restored  or possibly rebuilt in 1884 following flood damage.

It has three segmental arches with a smaller one to each side. Burnsall is a popular destination on summer weekends and the bridge carries a lot of motor traffic.

Grassington – Chapel St. Michael Linton 1694. 1939

Church House, Grassington has a rather chequered history. It was built as a house in 1694 and is constructed with coursed gritstone rubble with a graduated stone slate roof. During the 18th century the building was used as livery stables. The building  was altered in the 19th and 20th centuries.  

After a period as a Temperance Hotel it was bought by the church in 1924 and consecrated for worship.  It is now a public hall and chapel.

Frank has produced two variants of this sketch. One has more shading