Esholt

In the 12th century, the Esholt estate was owned by Syningthwaite Priory, and Esholt Priory, a Cistercian nunnery dedicated to St Mary and St Leonard was established at Lower Esholt.{{cite web |last=Hinson |first=Colin |title=The Parish of Guiseley |work=GENUKI |access-date=14 December 2012 |date=29 May 2011 |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Guiseley/more.html}}{{cite web |title=Esholt |work=Monastic Matrix |access-date=16 October 2013 |url=http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/monasticon/esholt |archive-date=21 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021155900/http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/monasticon/esholt |url-status=dead }} When the nunnery was dissolved in about 1547, the estate was granted to Henry Thompson by Edward VI. In the 17th century Frances Thompson, the heiress of Henry Thompson, married Walter Calverley (1629–1694). In 1709 their son Walter Calverley built Esholt Hall, a Queen Anne style mansion house, on the site of the old nunnery. In 1775 the Calverleys sold the estate to Robert Stansfield, whose family remained in possession until 1906, when it was sold to Bradford City Council.{{cite web |last=Garnett |first=Breedge |title=Esholt: A suitable case for treatment! (3) |work=BBC Home |access-date=2 October 2011 |date=September 2002 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/sense_of_place/hidden_esholt_3.shtml}}

To the north of the village was Esholt railway station, which opened in 1876{{cite web |title=1850 to 1899 |work=Bradford Timeline - History of Bradford, Yorkshire |access-date=25 September 2013 |url=http://www.bradfordtimeline.co.uk/185074.htm}} and closed in 1940. In 1892 a rail crash occurred at Esholt Junction on the Otley and Ilkley Joint Railway.{{cite report |last=Hutchinson |first=Maj Gen CS |title=Report on the Accident at Esholt Junction |date=6 July 1892 |publisher=Board of Trade |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_Esholt1892.pdf |format=PDF |access-date=11 January 2009}}{{cite book |title=The Railways of Wharfedale |last=Baughan |first=Peter E |year=1969 |publisher=David & Charles Ltd |isbn=0-7153-4705-5}}

From 1912 to 1915 Nanson, Barker & Co manufactured the Tiny cyclecar in Esholt.{{cite book |editor-last=Georgano |editor-first=Nick |editor-link=G.N. Georgano|title=Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile |year=2000 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |isbn=1-57958-293-1}} In 1919 after the First World War the company made larger cars under the Airedale brand but went into liquidation in 1924.

Just before the First World War land on the estate was used for Airedale Aerodrome.{{cite news|last1=Appleby|first1=Jim|title=Jim Appleby: Past Times|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8077025.Jim_Appleby__Past_Times/|access-date=20 March 2016|work=Telegraph and Argus|date=20 May 1998}} The current owner of the estate, Yorkshire Water, operates a waste water treatment plant on what was the location of the aerodrome.{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Graeme |title=Yorkshire Millennium Factbook |isbn=1-85568-168-4}} Home farm on the estate is used as a conference and staff learning centre and many buildings have Grade II star listed building status.

Esholt was formerly a township and chapelry in the parish of Otley.{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/12435|title=History of Esholt, in Bradford and West Riding|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=11 August 2023}} From 1866 Esholt was a civil parish in its own right. In 1931 the parish had a population of 496.{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10420775/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Esholt Tn/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=11 August 2023}} On 1 April 1937 the parish was abolished, with most of the area, including the village itself, being added to the parish of Idle in the County Borough of Bradford, with smaller parts going to Aireborough and Baildon.{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10420775|title=Relationships and changes Esholt Tn/CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=11 August 2023}} Since 1937 the village has been administratively part of Bradford, although it remains outside the built-up area of the city.

File:EsholtOldHall.jpg

The manor house, Esholt Old Hall at Upper Esholt is medieval in origin, probably 16th century, and possibly once had a moat. It is well-preserved and has Grade II* listed building status.{{cite web |title=Esholt Hall with Terrace and Adjoining Conservatory |work=British Listed Buildings |access-date=12 September 2011 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336412-esholt-hall-with-terrace-and-adjoining-c}}

Esholt has one public house, The Woolpack a listed building in Main Street.{{cite web |title=Pubs in Esholt |work=Pubs Galore |access-date=26 September 2013 |url=http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/areas/esholt/west-yorkshire/}}

File:St Paul's Church, Esholt - geograph.org.uk - 36391.jpg

The Church of Saint Paul was built at a cost of £800 in 1839 by William Rookes Crompton-Stansfield for use as a private family chapel.{{cite web |title=St Pauls Church, Esholt |work=Parish of Guiseley with Esholt |access-date=25 September 2013 |url=http://www.guiseleywithesholt.org.uk/index.php?PageID=stpauls}}

Historically part of the parish of Guiseley,{{cite web |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Guiseley/index.html |title=The Ancient Parish of Guiseley |work=GENUKI |access-date=29 October 2007}}

the Church of St Paul is a successor to the private chapel in the old manor house. It was consecrated in 1853 and the chancel added in 1895. Since 1983 it has been in the combined parish of Guiseley with Esholt.{{cite web |url=http://www.guiseleywithesholt.org.uk/index.php?PageID=stpauls |work=guiseleywithesholt.org.uk |title=St Paul's Church |access-date=30 March 2013}}

There are many listed buildings on Esholt Lane,{{cite web |title=Gill Beck Farmhouse |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-337860-gill-beck-farmhouse-baildon-}}, {{cite web |title=Upper Mill Cottages |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336432-esholt-and-airronians-sports-club-upper-}}, and {{cite web |title=22 and 24 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336433-22-and-24-esholt-lane- |work=Esholt Lane, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

Cunliffe Lane,{{cite web |title=1 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336345-1-cunliffe-lane-}}, {{cite web |title=Bunkers Hill |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336347-bunkers-hill-}}, {{cite web |title=Cunliffe House |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336348-cunliffe-house-}} and {{cite web |title=Barn |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336349-barn-to-south-west-of-cunliffe-house-on- |work=Cunliffe Lane, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

Chapel Lane,{{cite web |title=1, 3 and 5 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336240-1-3-and-5-chapel-lane-}}, {{cite web |title=Holme House |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336241-holme-house-}}, {{cite web |title=Upper Esholt Farm Mistal and Barn |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336346-upper-esholt-farm-with-integral-mistal-a |work=Chapel Lane, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

Church Lane,{{cite web |title=2-8 even |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336269-2-8-church-lane-see-details-for-further-}}, {{cite web |title=10 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336270-10-church-lane-}}, {{cite web |title=14 and Smithy |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336272-number-14-and-adjoining-smithy-}}, {{cite web |title=Esholt Old Hall and Barn |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336274-numbers-3-to-11-esholt-old-hall-and-adjo}}, {{cite web |title=Vicarage |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336273-the-vicarage-}}, {{cite web |title=Sexton's Lodge |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336268-sexton-s-lodge-at-church-yard-entrance-}}, {{cite web |title=Church of St Paul |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336267-church-of-st-paul- |work=Church Lane, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

Main Street,{{cite web |title=3-11 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336820-3-11-main-street-}}, {{cite web |title=6 and 8 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336823-6-and-8-main-street-}}, {{cite web |title=10-18 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336824-10-18-main-street-}}, {{cite web |title=13-21 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336821-13-21-main-street-}}, {{cite web |title=22, 24 and 26 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336826-22-24-and-26-main-street-}}, {{cite web |title=23 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336822-23-main-street-see-details-for-further-a}}, {{cite web |title=28 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336827-28-main-street-}}, {{cite web |title=Memorial Institute |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-505522-memorial-institute-}}, {{cite web |title=The Woolpack |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336825-the-commercial-inn-}}, {{cite web |title=Telephone Kiosk |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-426918-k6-telephone-kiosk-outside-number-21-the |work=Main Street, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

St Leonard's Farm,{{cite web |title=Farmhouse |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336275-st-leonard-s-farmhouse-}}, {{cite web |title=Barn |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336276-barn-to-st-leonard-s-farm-on-north-side-}}, and {{cite web |title=Mistal |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336277-l-plan-block-of-barn-mistal-on-west-and- |work=St Leonard's Farm, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

Upper Esholt,{{cite web |title=High View: High View House |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-337134-high-view-house-}}, {{cite web |title=2 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-337135-high-view-}}, {{cite web |title=3, 4 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-337136-high-view- |work=British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

The Avenue,{{cite web |title=Boggart House |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336423-boggart-house-to-north-west-of-esholt-ha}}, {{cite web |title=Home Farm Farmhouse |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336425-home-farmhouse-at-esholt-hall-}}, {{cite web |title=Farm Building |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336424-building-immediately-to-north-of-present}}, {{cite web |title=Farm Cottage |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336426-home-farm-cottage-to-east-of-farmhouse-a}}, {{cite web |title=Barn |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336427-barn-to-rear-of-seventeenth-century-farm}}, {{cite web |title=Range, Outhouses, Cow Shed, Cart Shed |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336428-l-plan-north-range-of-barn-outhouses-cow}}, {{cite web |title=Stable, Tack Room, Hay Loft, Cow Shed |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336429-l-plan-block-of-stable-tack-room-hay-lof}}, {{cite web |title=and Barn |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336430-barn-by-road-next-to-entrance-gate-to-ya |work=The Avenue, British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

and Esholt Hall.{{cite web |title=Esholt Hall, Terrace, Conservatory |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336412-esholt-hall-with-terrace-and-adjoining-c}}, {{cite web |title=Outbuilding |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336420-outbuilding-at-esholt-hall-on-the-north-}}, {{cite web |title=Park Cottages Stable Coach House Range |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336421-park-cottages-stable-coach-house-range-o}}, {{cite web |title=Laundry |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336419-the-laundry-at-esholt-hall-}}, {{cite web |title=Kitchen Garden Wall |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336416-walls-of-kitchen-garden-including-gatewa}}, {{cite web |title=Park Cottages Stable Coach House Range |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336421-park-cottages-stable-coach-house-range-o}}, {{cite web |title=Northern Gate Piers |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336413-north-entrance-gate-piers-to-esholt-hall}}, and {{cite web |title=Gate Piers in Park |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-336415-gate-piers-in-park-approximately-266-yar |work=British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 September 2013}}

=== Esholt Waste Water Treatment Works ===

Esholt Waste Water Treatment Works is located on a {{convert|300|acre|ha}} site on the former estate of Esholt Hall,{{cite web |title=Renewable Energy Scheme: Esholt |work=JN Bentley Ltd |access-date=2 October 2011 |year=2011 |url=http://www.jnbentley.co.uk/343/esholt.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911044201/http://www.jnbentley.co.uk/343/esholt.html |archive-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}

and serves 750,000 people in Bradford and North Leeds.

It is Yorkshire Water's second largest waste water treatment plant, exceeded only by Knostrop in Leeds.

As Bradford's population and the textile industry grew in the early 19th century most human waste and industrial effluent drained into Bradford Beck, to the canal basin and on to the River Aire flowing past Esholt.

File:Ventilator shaft - geograph.org.uk - 266308.jpg

In 1862 a sewage system was begun in Bradford but Bradford Beck was still polluted. In 1869 William Stansfield of Esholt Hall obtained an injunction requiring Bradford Corporation to improve the sewage system so as not to pollute the beck.

Bradford Corporation built a treatment works at Frizinghall to treat sewage before the water was put in the river.{{cite web |last=Garnett |first=Breedge |title=Esholt: A suitable case for treatment! (2) |work=BBC Home |access-date=2 October 2011 |date=September 2002 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/sense_of_place/hidden_esholt_2.shtml}}

File:Esholt Sewage Works, press house. - geograph.org.uk - 757577.jpg

When Frizinghall works could not cope with the waste the Esholt estate was acquired for more than £239,000 as the site for a new sewage works. A three-mile long tunnel between Frizinghall and Esholt to connect the sites was completed in the 1920s.

Frizinghall works closed in 1926.

The tunnel has ventilation shafts in Frizinghall, Wrose{{cite web |last=Spencer

|first=David |title=Shaft for Frizinghall to Esholt sewage |work=Geograph |access-date=17 October 2013 |date=8 July 2005 |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/24917}}

and Idle.{{cite web |last=Spencer |first=David |title=Shaft for Frizinghall to Esholt sewage |work=Geograph |access-date=8 February 2014 |date=7 July 2005 |url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/24924}}

In the site's Sludge Disposal Building later known as the Press House, 128 steam filter presses compressed sludge to recover grease (lanolin) which could be used for a variety of applications, and the press residue was sold as fertiliser to meet the cost of operating the plant.{{cite web |last=Garnett |first=Breedge |title=Esholt: A suitable case for treatment! (4) |work=BBC Home |access-date=2 October 2011 |date=September 2002 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/sense_of_place/hidden_esholt_4.shtml}}

After Bradford's woollen textile industry declined, the Press House became roofless and derelict.

Between 2006 and 2009 the waste water treatment plant was modernised. The £44m scheme included the installation of aeration tanks, activated sludge tanks, and sludge digestion facilities.{{cite web |title=Esholt Waste Water Treatment Works |work=Morgan Sindall |format=PDF |access-date=2 October 2011 |url=http://construction.morgansindall.com/what-we-do/water/water-profiles/esholt-waste-water-treatment-works |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024162803/http://construction.morgansindall.com/what-we-do/water/water-profiles/esholt-waste-water-treatment-works |archive-date=24 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}

The sludge digestion facility produces biogas that is used in a combined heat and power plant with two CHP engines generating 19 MWh per day which is 44% of the electrical energy requirements of the site.{{cite web|title=Esholt WwTW - Pioneer of Sustainability |work=Yorkshire Water |access-date=16 October 2013 |url=http://www.yorkshirewater.com/your-water-services/local-improvements/cleaning-our-rivers/esholt-wwtw.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021175407/http://www.yorkshirewater.com/your-water-services/local-improvements/cleaning-our-rivers/esholt-wwtw.aspx |archive-date=21 October 2013 |df=dmy }}

Waste products from the works are reprocessed, mixed with green waste and turned into compost.

The old percolating filters are obsolete and there are plans to empty them and install photovoltaic panels to generate electricity to power the site, with any excess going to the National Grid.

The effluent emerging from the sewage tunnel passes through motorised screens, then through the 64 tonne Spaans Babcock screw generators into the primary settling tanks. The screw generators comprise two {{convert|2.6|m|ft}} diameter, {{convert|14|m|ft}} long Archimedes' screw hydro-turbine generators installed in series.{{cite web |title=Hydro Power using Waste Water at Esholt WwTW |work=Spaans Babcock |access-date=2 October 2011 |year=2010 |url=http://www.spaansbabcock.com/ltd/case_history/screw_generators/screw_pumps__generators.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316193516/http://www.spaansbabcock.com/ltd/case_history/screw_generators/screw_pumps__generators.aspx |archive-date=16 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The generators operate on a head of {{convert|8.2|m|ft}} with a flow rate up to 2,678 litres per second, generating up to 175 kW, providing 7% of the electrical power required by equipment on the site.

The equipment was installed in 2009 by JN Bentley and is the first site in the UK to use untreated (screened) sewage for hydro power generation.

Esholt Cricket Club{{cite web |title=Esholt Cricket Club |work=Esholt Sports & Leisure |access-date=2 October 2011 |year=2011 |url=http://www.esholtsports.co.uk/cricket.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20060901104219/http://www.esholtsports.co.uk/cricket.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 September 2006}} is based at Upper Mill Cottages on Esholt Lane. Also on Esholt Lane is a golf driving range,{{cite web|title=The Old Barn At Esholt |work=restaurants |access-date=2 October 2011 |url=http://www.restaurants.co.uk/mi.php/west_yorkshire/shipley/the_old_barn_at_esholt/27059 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021154628/http://www.restaurants.co.uk/mi.php/west_yorkshire/shipley/the_old_barn_at_esholt/27059 |archive-date=21 October 2013}} and near Hollins Hall Hotel an 18-hole golf course.

The 649 bus service to Shipley starts in Esholt.{{cite web |title=Bus Service 649 |work=West Yorkshire Metro |access-date=17 October 2013 |url=http://www.wymetro.com/BusTravel/bustimetables/Bustimetable/649/}} The A3 to Leeds Bradford Airport and Bradford Interchange stops near Esholt.

The nearest railway stations are at Baildon, Shipley, Guiseley and Apperley Bridge on the Wharfedale line.

File:Esholt village - geograph.org.uk - 643131.jpg

From 1976 to 1996 Esholt was used for outside location shots for the Yorkshire Television drama series Emmerdale Farm.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068069/locations |title=Filming locations for Emmerdale |work=IMDb |access-date=12 December 2012}}

The series relocated to a purpose built set based on the layout of Esholt on the Harewood estate in Leeds.

During the time when the village was used as a location, the name of the village pub was changed from The Commercial Inn to The Woolpack when the landlord tired of the inconvenience caused by the frequent pub sign changes.

Scenes were once again filmed in Esholt, 19 years after they were last filmed, as part of the special episode following Ashley Thomas's dementia storyline in December 2016 in an attempt to show a skewed, unfamiliar view of the village as perceived by Ashley.{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Kilkelly |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a817405/emmerdale-ashley-thomas-episode-old-village-esholt/ |title=Emmerdale: Did you notice the show returned to its old village in the Ashley episode? |work=Digital Spy |date=20 December 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}}

Sir Walter Calverley (1670–1749) lived at Esholt Hall which he had built in 1706–7.

His son Sir Walter Calverley-Blackett (1707–77) lived at Esholt Hall before his marriage and until it sale in 1755. The estate was later owned by the MP William Crompton-Stansfield (1790–1871).

The mill owner Sir Henry Mitchell (1824-1898) was born in Esholt and received a knighthood for his support and service to education in Bradford.{{cite web |title=Sir Henry Mitchell |work=175 Heroes |access-date=7 October 2013 |url=http://www.175heroes.org.uk/henry_mitchell.html |archive-date=15 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015104357/http://www.175heroes.org.uk/henry_mitchell.html |url-status=dead }}

• Listed buildings in Baildon
• Esholt Sewage Works Railway

{{reflist|33em}}

{{Commons category|Esholt}}

• [http://www.emmerdale.org/emmerdale/pictures/esholt.htm Emmerdale Village]
• [https://www.bbc.co.uk/bradford/sense_of_place/hidden_esholt_1.shtml Esholt: A suitable case for treatment! BBC]

{{Geographic location

|Northwest = Hawksworth

|North = Guiseley

|Northeast = Yeadon

|West = Baildon

|Centre = Esholt

|East = Rawdon

|Southwest =

|South = River Aire,
Leeds and Liverpool Canal,
Thackley

|Southeast = Apperley Bridge

}}

{{City of Bradford}}

{{authority control}}

{{Portal bar|United Kingdom|Yorkshire}}

Category:Villages in West Yorkshire

Category:Former civil parishes in West Yorkshire

Category:Bradford