For most British people Bingley is known for the Bradford and Bingley Building Society, now one of the ten largest banks in the country, formed in 1964 when two regional societies merged. The headquarters building is still economically important to the town today, but there is much more to Bingley than that. The settlement is believed to have originated in Saxon times, around a ford in the river Aire. Over the years the ford was replaced by bridges, making the crossing point a focus of commercial activity – the Old White Horse coaching inn still standing in the town is a reminder of this. During the Middle Ages Bingley was the most important town in the area, surpassing Halifax and Bradford. In 1212 King John granted the town a market charter, further cementing its significance in the environs. Transport links became still more important for the town with the building of the Leeds-Liverpool canal in 1774, striking through the town and then climbing the Aire Valley via the Bingley Five Rise Locks and the Bingley Three Rise Locks. The railway came to the town in the middle of the 19th century, and having survived the Beeching axe serves the place to this day. In the Industrial Age Bingley was a textile town, with woollen mills bringing jobs and incomers – from Ireland in earlier days and the Indian sub-continent in later times. These days the building society is the major employer, though Damart retains a mill there. And Bingley also serves as a dormitory town for the booming city of Leeds, several old mills having been converted into flats for this market. The town has a population of around 16,000, and the rural district around it about the same. The canal is a big draw for tourists, especially of course the engineering marvels of the rising locks. Titus Salt’s model industrial village of Saltaire is close by, now listed as a world heritage site. And the town is a good base for exploring Bronte country, both Haworth where they lived and Thornton where they were born being in the district. Across the moors lies the pretty town of Ilkley that certainly merits a visit if in the area, and further afield the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.
Caravan Park
Dentist
Dental Surgery
Roger Holdsworth Dental Care
Doctor
Bingley Medical Practice
Springfield Surgery
Estate Agent
Dacre Son & Hartley
Huddersfield Properties
Inman Residential
McNair Estate Agents Ltd
The Green Partnership
Golf Club
Health and Fitness Club
Market
Pub and Bar
Restaurant
La Strada
Loafers
Ristorante Valentino
Shama Bingley
Vi' Agito
School
Lady Lane Park Preparatory School
Solicitor
Caseys Solicitors
Worger Howcroft
Taxi
Bingley Taxis
Nabwood & New Cottingley Taxis & Minibuses
Quantum Sun Private Hire
Vet
Sports Clubs
Bingley Broncos (Basketball)
Bradford & Bingley CC (Cricket)
Shops
Village Flowers
Boots
Cottingley Pharmacy
David S Howarth
Taylor's Footwear Ltd
Shoobox
White Rose Supplies
Feature Radiators
Activities
Country Rides(Riding)
Places to Stay near Bingley
Five Rise Locks Hotel & Restaurant (0.47 miles)
The hotel is tucked away in a quiet residential area - yet only a minute or so from the main road, and close to airport, railway, motorways and the major cities of Leeds and Bradford. ... More | visit website
Premier Inn Bradford North (1.45 miles)
Vivo Hotel Apartments (2.62 miles)
Ibis Bradford Shipley (2.63 miles)
On the banks of the Liverpool and Leeds canal, just 500 metres from Shipley Railway Station, the hotel offers free parking and comfortable accommodation at great-value rates. The Ibis Bradford Shipley has ... More
Homeleigh Hotel (2.63 miles)
The Homeleigh Hotel is perfectly placed for historic Saltaire, Bronteland and the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Homeleigh Hotel offers year-round comfort and hospitality. With the businessman and tourist in mind, we have warm, ... More
Faweather Grange Lodges (2.77 miles)
Faweather Grange Lodges are part of our Autograph Lodge Holiday collection and located amidst the stunning scenery and tranquil surroundings of Ilkley Moor. Nestled in a 70 acre private estate, this small collection of just ... More | visit website
Innkeepers Lodge (2.84 miles)
visitors to Innkeepers Lodge Keighley can enjoy a trip to the bronte parsonage-museum dedicated to the legendary bronte sisters or to keep the children amused why not take a trip ... More
The Manor Guest House (2.98 miles)
Lovingly restored 18th century manor house still retaining many original features. Ideally situated for exploring the rugged Pennine Moorland of Bronte Country, the Yorkshire Dales and beyond. With a Visit ... More
The Manor Cullingworth (2.98 miles)
Lister Mansion Hotel (3.93 miles)
Click for special and substantially discounted rates from Laterooms
The Lister Mansion Hotel has just undergone a 350k refurbishment. We are the only Boutique Hotel in Bradford boasting 14 individually designed bedrooms with 32 ... More
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