West Yorkshire

County of England

This article is about the ceremonial county. For conurbation, see West Yorkshire Built-up Area. For the historic subdivision, see West Riding of Yorkshire.

Metropolitan and ceremonial county in England

West Yorkshire

Metropolitan and ceremonial county

Aspley Basin on the Broad Canal (Huddersfield), the Piece Hall (Halifax) and Ilkley Moor (near Ilkley)

West Yorkshire within England

Coordinates: 53°45′N 1°40′W﻿ / ﻿53.750°N 1.667°W﻿ / 53.750; -1.667
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Constituent country| England
Region| Yorkshire and the Humber
Established| 1 April 1974
Preceded by| West Riding of Yorkshire
Origin| Local Government Act 1972
Time zone| UTC+0 (GMT)
• Summer (DST)| UTC+1 (BST)
UK Parliament| List of MPs
Police| West Yorkshire Police
Ceremonial county
Lord Lieutenant| Edmund Anderson
High Sheriff| Adeeba Malik (2024-2025)[1]
Area

[2]

| 2,029 km2 (783 sq mi)
• Rank| 29th of 48
Population

(2022)[2]

| 2,378,148
• Rank| 4th of 48
• Density| 1,172/km2 (3,040/sq mi)
Ethnicity

* 76.6% White
* 15.9% Asian
* 3.1% Black
* 2.8% Mixed
* 1.7% Other

[3]
Metropolitan county
Government| West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Mayor| Tracy Brabin (L)
Admin HQ| Leeds
GSS code|

* E11000006 (county)
* E47000003 (city region)

ITL| TLE4
Website| westyorks-ca.gov.uk
Districts

Districts of West Yorkshire
Metropolitan districts
Districts|

1. Leeds
2. Wakefield
3. Kirklees
4. Calderdale
5. Bradford

West Yorkshire is a metropolitan and ceremonial county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It borders North Yorkshire to the north and east, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire to the south, Greater Manchester to the south-west, and Lancashire to the west. The city of Leeds is the largest settlement.

The county has an area of 2,029 km2 (783 sq mi) and a population of 2.3 million, making it the fourth-largest ceremonial county by population. The centre of the county is urbanised, and contains the city of Leeds in the north-east, the city of Bradford in the north-west, Huddersfield in the south-west, and Wakefield in the south-east. The outer areas of the county are rural. For local government purposes the county comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield, which collaborate through West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The county was created in 1974, prior to which the area was within the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The western part of West Yorkshire is in the South Pennines, and contains a small part of the Peak District National Park. It is characterised by steep valleys and is the source of the River Calder, which flows past Wakefield before meeting the Aire, which flows through Leeds, near Castleford. The landscape becomes flatter in the east, and the eastern boundary of the county is on the edge of the Vale of York.

Remnants of strong coal, wool and iron ore industries remain in the county, having attracted people over the centuries, and this can be seen in the buildings and architecture. Several railways and the M1, M621, M606, A1(M) and M62 motorways traverse the county.

## Governance

[edit]

See also: List of civil parishes in West Yorkshire

Body | Headquarters

|

West Yorkshire Combined Authority | Leeds City Centre
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service | Birkenshaw
West Yorkshire Joint Services | Morley
West Yorkshire Police | Wakefield
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council | Bradford City Hall
Calderdale Council | Halifax Town Hall
Kirklees Council | Huddersfield Town Hall
Leeds City Council | Leeds Civic Hall
Wakefield Council | County Hall, Wakefield

West Yorkshire County Council was abolished in 1986 and its five districts effectively became unitary authorities. The metropolitan county, covering an area of 2,029 square kilometres (783 sq mi), continues to exist in law and as a geographic frame of reference.[4][5][6]

Since 1 April 2014, West Yorkshire has been a combined authority area, with the local authorities pooling some functions over transport and regeneration as the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The first Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, was elected on 6 May 2021, following a devolution deal announced by the government in the March 2020 budget.[7][8]

The conurbation of Bradford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield makes up the West Yorkshire Built-up Area, which is the fourth-largest in the United Kingdom and the largest within the historic county boundaries of Yorkshire.

In Parliament, 13 out of 22 of West Yorkshire's MPs are Labour and 9 are Conservative. At local level, the councils are generally divided, apart from the Wakefield district, which has long been one of the safest Labour councils in the country.

Some services are provided across the county by West Yorkshire Joint Services and the West Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are also county-wide.

## Geography

[edit]

Geology of Yorkshire Ilkley Moor

The county borders, going anticlockwise from the west: Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. The terrain of the county mostly consists of the Pennines and its foothills which dominate the west of the county and gradually descend into the Vale of York and Humberhead Levels in the east. Geologically, it lies almost entirely on rocks of carboniferous age which form the inner Southern Pennine fringes in the west[9] and the Yorkshire coalfield further eastwards.[10] In the extreme east of the metropolitan county there are younger deposits of Magnesian Limestone.[11] Areas in the west such as Bradford and Calderdale are dominated by the scenery of the eastern slopes of the South Pennines, dropping from upland in the west down to the east, and dissected by many steep-sided valleys while a small part of the northern Peak District extends into the south west of Kirklees. Large-scale industry, housing, public and commercial buildings of differing heights, transport routes and open countryside conjoin. The dense network of roads, canals and railways and urban development, confined by valleys creates dramatic interplay of views between settlements and the surrounding hillsides, as shaped the first urban-rural juxtapositions of David Hockney. Where most rural the land crops up in the such rhymes and folklore as On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, date unknown, the early 19th century novels and poems of the Brontë family often in and around Haworth and long-running light comedy-drama Last of the Summer Wine in the 20th century.

The carboniferous rocks of the Yorkshire coalfield further east have produced a rolling landscape with hills, escarpments and broad valleys in the outer fringes of the Pennines. In this landscape there is widespread evidence of both current and former industrial activity. There are numerous derelict or converted mine buildings and recently landscaped former spoil heaps.[citation needed] The scenery is a mixture of built up areas, industrial land with some dereliction, and farmed open country. Ribbon developments along transport routes including canal, road and rail are prominent features of the area although some remnants of the pre industrial landscape and semi-natural vegetation still survive. However, many areas are affected by urban fringe pressures creating fragmented and downgraded landscapes and ever present are urban influences from major cities, smaller industrial towns and former mining villages.[citation needed] In the Magnesian Limestone belt to the east of the Leeds and Wakefield areas is an elevated ridge with smoothly rolling scenery, dissected by dry valleys. Here, there is a large number of country houses and estates with parkland, estate woodlands, plantations and game coverts.[citation needed] The rivers Aire and Calder drain the area, flowing from west to east.

## History

[edit]

See also: History of Leeds and History of Yorkshire

Wakefield's Parish Church was raised to cathedral status in 1888 and after the elevation of Wakefield to diocese, Wakefield Council immediately sought city status and this was granted in July 1888.[12] However the Industrial Revolution, which changed West and South Yorkshire significantly, led to the growth of Leeds and Bradford, which became the area's two largest cities (Leeds being the largest in Yorkshire). Leeds was granted city status in 1893 and Bradford in 1897. The name of Leeds Town Hall reflects the fact that at its opening in 1858 Leeds was not yet a city, while Bradford renamed its Town Hall as City Hall in 1965.[13]

Post-1974 | Pre-1974

|

Metropolitan county  | Metropolitan borough  | County boroughs | Non-county boroughs | Urban districts | Rural districts

West Yorkshire is an amalgamation of 53 former local government districts, including five county boroughs and ten municipal boroughs. | Bradford | Bradford | Keighley | Baildon • Bingley • Denholme • Ilkley • Queensbury and Shelf[Note 1] •Silsden • Shipley | Skipton
Calderdale | Halifax | Brighouse • Todmorden | Elland • Hebden Royd • Queensbury and Shelf[Note 1] • Ripponden • Sowerby Bridge | Hepton
Kirklees | Huddersfield • Dewsbury | Batley • Spenborough | Colne Valley • Denby Dale • Heckmondwike • Holmfirth • Kirkburton • Meltham • Mirfield |
Leeds | Leeds | Morley • Pudsey | Aireborough • Garforth • Horsforth • Otley • Rothwell | Tadcaster • Wharfedale • Wetherby
Wakefield | Wakefield | Castleford • Ossett • Pontefract | Featherstone • Hemsworth • Horbury • Knottingley • Normanton • Stanley | Hemsworth • Osgoldcross • Wakefield

1. ^ a b Queensbury and Shelf Urban District was split between Bradford and Calderdale in 1974: Queensbury civil parish became part of Bradford; Shelf civil parish became part of Calderdale.

West Yorkshire was formed as a metropolitan county in 1974, by the Local Government Act 1972, and corresponds roughly to the core of the historic West Riding of Yorkshire and the county boroughs of Bradford, Dewsbury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, and Wakefield.

West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council inherited the use of West Riding County Hall at Wakefield, opened in 1898, from the West Riding County Council in 1974. Since 1987 it has been the headquarters of Wakefield City Council.[14]

The county initially had a two-tier structure of local government with a strategic-level county council and five districts providing most services.[15] In 1986, throughout England the metropolitan county councils were abolished. The functions of the county council were devolved to the boroughs; joint-boards covering fire, police and public transport; and to other special joint arrangements.[16] Organisations such as the West Yorkshire Police (governed by the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner) continue to operate on this basis.

Although the county council was abolished, West Yorkshire continues to form a metropolitan and ceremonial county with a Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and a High Sheriff.

### Green belt

[edit]

Further information: South and West Yorkshire Green Belt

West Yorkshire contains green belt interspersed throughout the county, surrounding the West Yorkshire Urban Area. It was first drawn up in the 1950s. All the county's districts contain large portions of green belt.

### Parish

[edit]

West Yorkshire has close ties with Lancashire in terms of history, local identity and infrastructure including with the War of the Roses and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.[17][18] Up until the 19th century, the town of Todmorden was in Lancashire but was moved into Yorkshire.[19] In the 1974 boundary review, the towns of Earby and Barnoldswick were moved into the Pendle district of Lancashire.[20] The civil parish of Saddleworth in Oldham was the only part of West Riding of Yorkshire to be moved into the county of Greater Manchester. The villages in the parish border the towns of Huddersfield and Holmfirth. There is a strong identity debate with Saddleworth residents who still maintain close connections with Yorkshire including the Saddleworth White Rose Society.[21]

### Local legislation

[edit]

West Yorkshire Act 1980

Act of Parliament

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Long title| An Act to re-enact with amendments and to extend certain local enactments in force within the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire; to confer further powers on the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council, the City of Bradford Metropolitan Council, the Borough Council of Calderdale, the Council of the Borough of Kirklees, the Leeds City Council and the Council of the City of Wakefield; to make further provision with regard to the environment, local government and improvement of the county; and for other purposes.
Citation| 1980 c. xiv
Dates
Royal assent| 1 May 1980
Other legislation
Amended by|

* Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

Status: Amended

Text of statute as originally enacted

The West Yorkshire Act 1980 (c. xiv) was passed to amend existing local acts of Parliament in the West Yorkshire area, and to confer specific powers on West Yorkshire County Council, as well as the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Kirklees Council, Leeds City Council and Wakefield Council.

## Demography

[edit]

See also: List of settlements in West Yorkshire by population

Population density in the 2011 census in West Yorkshire. The county's boroughs  District  | Area km2 | Population  | Density

|
|
|

City of Bradford | 366.42  | 523,100  | 1,346
Calderdale | 363.92  | 200,100  | 545
Kirklees | 408.61  | 401,000  | 975
City of Leeds | 551.72  | 761,100  | 1,360
City of Wakefield | 338.61  | 321,600  | 949

The county's settlements by metropolitan borough  Metropolitan borough | Seat | Other places

|
|

City of Bradford
| Bradford City Hall, Bradford | Addingham, Baildon, Bingley, Burley in Wharfedale, Cottingley, Crossflatts, Cross Roads, Cullingworth, Denholme, East and West Morton, Eccleshill, Eldwick, Esholt, Great Horton, Gilstead, Harden, Haworth, Ilkley, Keighley, Manningham, Menston, Oakworth, Oxenhope, Queensbury, Riddlesden, Saltaire, Sandy Lane, Shipley, Silsden, Stanbury, Steeton, Thornbury, Thornton, Tong, Undercliffe, Wibsey, Wilsden.
Calderdale
| Halifax Town Hall, Halifax | Bailiff Bridge, Boothtown, Brighouse, Copley, Cragg Vale, Elland, Greetland, Hebden Bridge, Heptonstall, Hipperholme, Holywell Green, Luddendenfoot, Mytholmroyd, Norwood Green, Rastrick, Ripponden, Rishworth, Shelf, Shibden, Sowerby Bridge, Todmorden
Kirklees
| Huddersfield Town Hall, Huddersfield | Almondbury, Batley, Birkby, Birkenshaw, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Dalton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Emley, Golcar, Gomersal, Hartshead, Hartshead Moor, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Honley, Kirkburton, Kirkheaton, Linthwaite, Liversedge, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield, New Mill, Norristhorpe, Roberttown, Scammonden, Shelley, Shepley, Skelmanthorpe, Slaithwaite, Thornhill
City of Leeds
| Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds | Allerton Bywater, Beeston, Boston Spa, Collingham, Garforth, Guiseley, Harewood, Harehills, Headingley, Holbeck, Horsforth, Hyde Park, Gipton, Kippax, Kirkstall, Ledsham, Ledston, Methley, Middleton, Morley, New Farnley, Otley, Oulton, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Pudsey, Rothwell, Rawdon, Scarcroft, Scholes, Stourton, Swillington, Walton (Leeds), Wetherby, Yeadon, Woodhouse
City of Wakefield
| West Riding County Hall, Wakefield | Ackworth, Alverthorpe, Castleford, Crigglestone, Crofton, Durkar, Fairburn Ings, Featherstone, Ferrybridge, Fitzwilliam, Hemsworth, Horbury, Knottingley, Newmillerdam, Normanton, Nostell, Ossett, Outwood, Pontefract, Ryhill, Sandal, Sharlston, Stanley, Walton (Wakefield), West Bretton, Wrenthorpe
Ethnic Group  | Year

|

1971 estimations[22] | 1981 estimations[23] | 1991 census[24] | 2001 census[25] | 2011 census[26] | 2021 census[27]
Number  | %  | Number  | %  | Number  | %  | Number  | %  | Number  | %  | Number  | %
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
White: Total  | –  | 96.6%  | 1,937,375  | 93.7%  | 1,911,618  | 91.7%  | 1,842,813  | 88.6%  | 1,819,818  | 81.8%  | 1,801,352  | 76.6%
White: British | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 1,798,413  | 86.5%  | 1,746,295  | 78.4%  | 1,693,845  | 72.0%
White: Irish | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 18,859  | 0.9%  | 14,910  | 0.7%  | 13,893  | 0.6%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 1,660  | 0.1%  | 2,311  | 0.1%
White: Roma  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 3,982  | 0.2%
White: Other | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 25,541  | 1.2%  | 56,953  | 2.6%  | 87,321  | 3.7%
Asian or Asian British: Total  | –  | –  | 100,191  | 4.8%  | 136,824  | 6.6%  | 185,907  | 9%  | 291,547  | 13.1%  | 372,728  | 15.9%
Asian or Asian British: Indian | –  | –  | 29,352  |  | 36,762  |  | 42,430  | 2.0%  | 53,152  | 2.4%  | 62,407  | 2.7%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani | –  | –  | 60,803  |  | 84,978  |  | 122,210  | 5.9%  | 189,708  | 8.5%  | 250,497  | 10.7%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi | –  | –  | 3,845  |  | 6,344  |  | 8,213  | 0.4%  | 15,632  | 0.7%  | 20,099  | 0.9%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese | –  | –  | 2,912  |  | 3,969  |  | 5,734  | 0.3%  | 10,783  | 0.5%  | 12,516  | 0.5%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian  | –  | –  | 3,279  |  | 4,771  |  | 7,320  | 0.4%  | 22,272  | 1.0%  | 27,209  | 1.2%
Black or Black British: Total  | –  | –  | 20,770  | 1%  | 25,135  | 1.2%  | 20,771  | 1%  | 46,476  | 2.1%  | 72,257  | 3.1%
Black or Black British: African  | –  | –  | 2,236  |  | 2,634  |  | 4,216  | 0.2%  | 24,685  | 1.1%  | 47,888  | 2.0%
Black or Black British: Caribbean | –  | –  | 13,088  |  | 15,552  |  | 14,409  | 0.7%  | 15,581  | 0.7%  | 15,588  | 0.7%
Other Black  | –  | –  | 5,446  |  | 6,949  |  | 2,146  | 0.1%  | 6,210  | 0.3%  | 8,781  | 0.4%
Mixed or British Mixed: Total  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 25,081  | 1.2%  | 48,126  | 2.2%  | 64,947  | 2.8%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 11,263  | 0.5%  | 20,827  | 0.9%  | 23,573  | 1.0%
Mixed: White and Black African  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 1,842  | 0.1%  | 4,624  | 0.2%  | 7,756  | 0.3%
Mixed: White and Asian  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 8,049  | 0.4%  | 15,098  | 0.7%  | 21,014  | 0.9%
Mixed: Other Mixed  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 3,927  | 0.2%  | 7,577  | 0.3%  | 12,604  | 0.5%
Other: Total  | –  | –  | 8,363  |  | 10,923  |  | 4,639  | 0.2%  | 20,091  | 0.9%  | 40,295  | 1.7%
Other: Arab | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | –  | 9,212  | 0.4%  | 11,515  | 0.5%
Other: Any other ethnic group  | –  | –  |  |  |  |  | 4,639  | 0.2%  | 10,879  | 0.5%  | 28,780  | 1.2%
Non-White: Total  | –  | 3.4%  | 129,326  | 6.3%  | 172,882  | 8.3%  | 236,398  | 11.4%  | 406,240  | 18.2%  | 550,227  | 23.4%
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total  | –  | 100%  | 2,066,701  | 100%  | 2,084,500  | 100%  | 2,079,211  | 100%  | 2,226,058  | 100%  | 2,351,579  | 100%

West Yorkshire is ethnically diverse, hosting large populations of multiple ethnic minority groups. Most notably, the city of Bradford is well known for its large concentration of British Pakistanis, the highest by percentage in the country. Leeds and Kirklees also have large British Pakistani populations. Kirklees also hosts a large population of British Indians. West Yorkshire is home to a large Eastern European population, particularly British Poles. Ethnic minorities totalled to over 21% of West Yorkshire's population in 2011.[28]

Distribution of ethnic groups in West Yorkshire according to the 2021 census.

* White (2021)

* White-British

* White-Irish

* White-Other

* Asian (2021)

* Asian-Indian

* Asian-Pakistani

* Asian-Bangladeshi

* Asian-Chinese

* Black (2021)

* Black-African

* Black-Caribbean

* Other-Arab

* Other-Other ethnic group

Distribution of religions in West Yorkshire according to the 2011 census.

* Christianity

* Islam

* Judaism

* Hinduism

* Sikhism

* Buddhism

* Other religion

* No religion

## Economy

[edit]

See also: List of ceremonial counties in England by gross value added

### Industries

[edit]

Leeds has since attracted investment from financial institutions, to become a recognised financial centre, with many banks, building societies and insurance companies having offices in the city. Wakefield has also attracted many service-based industries, in particular call centres. Two of the big four supermarkets are from West Yorkshire. Morrisons is based in Bradford, while Asda is based in Leeds.

West Yorkshire grew up around several industries. Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract and South and East Leeds were traditional coal mining areas.

Wool

Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield grew through the development of woollen mills. Leeds' traditional industry was the manufacturing of cloth while heavier engineering industries facilitated growth in South Leeds.

The Heavy Woollen District covered towns such as Dewsbury, Batley, Morley, Ossett, Cleckheaton and Heckmondwike. The woollen and cloth industries declined throughout the twentieth century.

Rhubarb

The Rhubarb Triangle is wholly in West Yorkshire and still produces the vegetable in considerable quantities.[29] Twelve farmers who farm within the Rhubarb Triangle applied to have the name "Yorkshire forced rhubarb" added to the list of foods and drinks that have their names legally protected by the European Commission's Protected Food Name scheme.[30] The application was successful and the farmers in the Rhubarb Triangle were awarded Protected Designation of Origin status (PDO) in February 2010. Food protected status accesses European funding to promote the product and legal backing against other products made outside the area using the name. Other protected names include Stilton cheese, Champagne and Parma Ham.

Coal

The last pit in West Yorkshire to close was Hay Royds Colliery at Denby Dale in 2012 after a flood.[31]

### Film and television productions

[edit]

Several films and television series have been filmed in West Yorkshire's historic areas, particularly around the town of Halifax.[32][33] For example, portions of the BBC television series Happy Valley were filmed in Huddersfield; in addition to exteriors, some of the studio filming was done at North Light Film Studios at Brookes Mill, Huddersfield. As well, interiors for the BBC's Jamaica Inn, for the BBC's Remember Me and for ITV series Black Work, were also filmed at the studios.[34][35][36][37] More recently, many of the exteriors of the BBC series Jericho were filmed at the nearby Rockingstone Quarry and some interior work was done at North Light Film Studios.[38]

### Tourism

[edit]

Titus Salt's mill in Saltaire, Shipley is an UNESCO World Heritage Site

See also: § Places of interest

Urban tourism include national and internationally significant sports stadiums, museums, theatre and galleries. The Royal Armouries is in Leeds, as is the Leeds Playhouse (formerly the West Yorkshire Playhouse), Opera North and The Grand Theatre. The First Direct Arena in Leeds seats around 15,000 people. Sheffield Arena is also popular, as are the Bradford Alhambra, St Georges Hall and the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford.

Leeds is the most popular shopping destination in West Yorkshire, and the wider region, with several notable retail destinations. Briggate and The Headrow are the most important shopping streets, while Trinity Leeds, Kirkgate Market (the biggest indoor market in Europe) and the White Rose Centre are regionally dominant shopping destinations. Victoria Leeds is nationally known for hosting many 'first outside of London' labels such as Harvey Nichols and Anthropologie.

Leeds is also a popular weekend destination for nightlife, with several famous bars and clubs across a variety of different districts. The city's gay village is the largest in Yorkshire.

A wide range of towns and cities are connected by rail to Leeds City railway station, which is the busiest station in northern England and the main national gateway to West Yorkshire. The M62 motorway is the main east-west motorway in the county, connecting the largest towns and cities of West Yorkshire, while the M1 forms a key north-south axis from Leeds to Wakefield and beyond towards London.

Outside of the main cities, signposted walks follow rivers and the escarpment of the Pennines, which is scaled in meandering stages and tunnels by the recreational Leeds-Liverpool Canal and Rochdale Canal, navigable by barge, canoe or kayak. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth in Wakefield are major national art attractions, while Haworth is visited for being the home of the Bronte Sisters. Ilkley, Otley, Hebden Bridge and Holmfirth are popular smaller towns featuring farmer's markets, breweries, tea rooms, stately homes and are popular with hikers.

## Transport

[edit]

See also: Transport in Leeds

Leeds Bradford Airport

West Yorkshire lies in arguably the most strategic part of Yorkshire: the M62, M1 and the A1(M) pass through the county, as well as the internal urban motorways in Leeds and Bradford. West Yorkshire has two mainline railway stations, Leeds and Wakefield Westgate. Leeds railway station is the only Network Rail principal station in Yorkshire and North East England, and one of only three in the North of England along with Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street. Other important railway stations in West Yorkshire include Bradford Interchange, Bradford Forster Square, Huddersfield, Halifax, Dewsbury, Keighley and Shipley. West Yorkshire also has Yorkshire's largest airport, Leeds Bradford Airport.

Unlike South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire has no light transit system; the Leeds Supertram was proposed but was later cancelled after the withdrawal of government funding. Public transport is run under the authority of West Yorkshire Metro.

In October 2021, £830 million of funding was announced for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to develop mass transit for the region.[39][40]

In 2022, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority won its bids for the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme and Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) scheme, the successful ZEBRA funding will see the introduction of between 179 and 245 zero-emission electric buses with the necessary infrastructure whilst the BSIP plan will give the West Yorkshire Combined Authority £70 million out of a desired £168 million to implement the improvements outlined in the authority's BSIP.[41][42][43][44]

## Sport

[edit]

See also: Sport in Leeds, Rugby league in Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire derbies

Headingley Cricket Ground in 2021

Major football clubs in West Yorkshire include Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, and Bradford City.

Rugby league is also big in West Yorkshire. The teams who are, or have been, in the Super League are Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Halifax Panthers, Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos, and Wakefield Trinity. Other rugby league clubs in West Yorkshire include Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams, Featherstone Rovers, Hunslet Hawks and Keighley Cougars. Any combination of these teams playing against each other would be called a West Yorkshire derby even if the rivalry is not as great as other rivalries between teams in the area. The main rugby union club in the county is Yorkshire Carnegie.

Elland Road is the largest stadium in the area, hosting Leeds United. The Headingley Stadium, a stadium complex also in Leeds, consists of a cricket and a rugby ground. The cricket ground is home of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the rugby ground is home to Leeds Rhinos. In Huddersfield, the John Smith's Stadium is home to Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants. In Bradford, Valley Parade is the home of Bradford City, whereas the Odsal Stadium is the home of the Bradford Bulls. Other stadiums include Wheldon Road (Castleford), The Shay (Halifax), Belle Vue (Wakefield), Mount Pleasant (Batley), Crown Flatt (Dewsbury), Post Office Road (Featherstone), John Charles Centre for Sport (Hunslet) and Cougar Park (Keighley).

There are two racecourses in West Yorkshire: Pontefract and Wetherby.

West Yorkshire also used to host regular speedway meetings, having the Halifax Dukes and the Bradford Dukes teams. Odsal Stadium used to host BriSCA stock cars. Leeds has a hill climb event at Harewood speed Hillclimb.

## Places of interest

[edit]

### Historic environment

[edit]

See also: List of Museums in West Yorkshire, List of historic houses in West Yorkshire, and List of castles in West Yorkshire

Key

| Abbey/Priory/Cathedral
| Accessible open space
| Amusement/Theme Park
| Castle
| Country Park
| English Heritage
| Forestry Commission
| Heritage railway
| Historic House
| Places of Worship

| Museum (free/not free)
| National Trust
| Theatre
| Zoo

* Bretton Hall
* Cartwright Hall
* Cliffe Hall, also known as Cliffe Castle, Keighley
* East Riddlesden Hall
* Esholt Hall, Esholt
* Firsby Hall
* Harewood House
* Kershaw House
* Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
* Kirklees Hall/Priory
* Kirkstall Abbey
* Roman Lagentium (Castleford)
* Ledston Hall, Ledston
* Linthwaite Hall, Linthwaite
* Linton Hall
* Lister Park, Bradford
* Lotherton Hall
* Middleton Railway, the world's oldest steam railway
* Nostell Priory
* Oakwell Hall
* Oulton Hall, Oulton
* Piece Hall, Halifax
* Pontefract Castle
* Pontefract Priory, Pontefract
* Queen's Park, Castleford
* Roundhay Park Leeds
* Saltaire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Sandal Castle
* Scarcroft Watermill, Scarcroft
* Shelley Hall, Shelley
* Shibden Hall
* Shipley Glen Tramway
* Tong Hall, Tong
* Wetherby Castle, Wetherby

### Museums

[edit]

* Abbey House Museum, Leeds
* Armley Mills Industrial Museum, Leeds
* Bagshaw Museum, Batley
* Bankfield Museum, Halifax
* Bradford Industrial Museum, Eccleshill/Fagley, Bradford
* Brontë Parsonage Museum, Haworth
* Colne Valley Museum, Golcar, Huddersfield
* Eureka, Halifax
* Leeds City Museum, Leeds
* National Coal Mining Museum for England Overton, Wakefield
* National Media Museum, Bradford
* Pennine Farm Museum, Ripponden, Halifax
* Pontefract Museum
* Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
* Thackray Museum, Leeds
* The Hepworth Wakefield
* Thwaite Mills, Leeds
* Tolson Museum, Dalton, Huddersfield
* Wakefield Museum, Wakefield
* West Yorkshire Folk Museum, Shibden Hall, Halifax
* Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield

### Natural environment

[edit]

* Emley Moor, site of the tallest self-supporting structure in the UK (a TV mast)
* Harewood Estate – Leeds Country Way public footpath runs through the estate, landscaped gardens and home to Red Kites amongst many other birds
* Ilkley Moor, part of Rombalds Moor
* New Swillington Ings Nature Reserve
* Otley Chevin – extensive wooded parkland on high ground with extensive views North over Wharfedale and South as far as the Peak District
* RSPB Fairburn Ings and St Aidan's – wetland centres for birds
* Seckar Woods LNR, a Local Nature Reserve
* Walton Hall, West Yorkshire, home of naturalist Charles Waterton and the world's first nature reserve

### Waterways

[edit]

* Scammonden Reservoir, Deanhead Reservoir – both in the moors near Ripponden
* River Aire, River Calder, River Hebble, River Spen, River Worth
* Aire and Calder Navigation
* Calder and Hebble Navigation
* Huddersfield Broad Canal
* Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Standedge Tunnel
* Leeds and Liverpool Canal
* Rochdale Canal

## See also

[edit]

* List of Lord Lieutenants of West Yorkshire
* List of High Sheriffs of West Yorkshire
* The Kingdom of Elmet
* West Yorkshire Urban Area
* West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service
* West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own)
* List of ceremonial counties in England by gross value added
* Listed buildings in West Yorkshire

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "No. 64345". The London Gazette. 14 March 2024. p. 5286.
2. ^ a b "Mid-2022 population estimates by Lieutenancy areas (as at 1997) for England and Wales". Office for National Statistics. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
3. ^ "West Yorkshire Demographics | Age, Ethnicity, Religion, Wellbeing". Varbes. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
4. ^ "Gazetteer of the old and new geographies of the United Kingdom" (PDF). Office for National Statistics. p. 48\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2003. Retrieved 14 December 2006.
5. ^ "Metropolitan Counties and Districts". Beginners' Guide to UK Geography. Office for National Statistics. 17 September 2004. Archived from the original on 6 June 2002. Retrieved 11 January 2007.
6. ^ "Yorkshire and Humber Counties". The Boundary Commission for England. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
7. ^ "Devolution deal worth £1.8bn agreed". BBC News. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
8. ^ Beecham, Richard (13 May 2020). "West Yorkshire mayor plans still on track for next May despite lockdown". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
9. ^ "Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe". www.countryside.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
10. ^ "Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire Coalfield". www.countryside.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
11. ^ "Southern Magnesian Limestone". www.countryside.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 6 October 2008.
12. ^ Beckett 2005, pp. 39, 40
13. ^ "History of City Hall". City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
14. ^ "County Hall". Wakefield City Council. 20 November 2004. Archived from the original on 11 November 2006.
15. ^ Redcliffe-Maud and Wood, B., English Local Government Reformed, (1974)
16. ^ Kingdom, J., Local Government and Politics in Britain, (1991)
17. ^ "Wars of the roses: How the rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire still exists today". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
18. ^ Hayes, Dean (1 October 2000). The Wars of the Roses: A History of Lancashire vs. Yorkshire Cricket Matches. ASIN 1903158117.
19. ^ Himelfield, Dave; Macpherson, Jon (2 November 2020). "The Yorkshire town that wishes it was in Lancashire". LancsLive. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
20. ^ Himelfield, Dave (30 January 2021). "More towns which aren't sure if they're in Lancashire or Yorkshire". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
21. ^ Shaw, Megan (6 December 2020). "The fight to keep these historic villages in Yorkshire nearing a sad end". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
22. ^ Explaining ethnic differences: Changing patterns of disadvantage in Britain (1 ed.). Bristol University Press. 2003. doi:10.2307/j.ctt1t8915s. JSTOR j.ctt1t8915s.
23. ^ Ethnicity in the 1991 census: Vol 3 - Social geography and ethnicity in Britain, geographical spread, spatial concentration and internal migration. Internet Archive. London : HMSO. 1996. ISBN 978-0-11-691655-6.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
24. ^ Ethnicity in the 1991 census: Vol 3 - Social geography and ethnicity in Britain, geographical spread, spatial concentration and internal migration. Internet Archive. London : HMSO. 1996. ISBN 978-0-11-691655-6.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
25. ^ "KS006 - Ethnic group - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics". www.nomisweb.co.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
26. ^ "2011 Census: Ethnic Group, local authorities in England and Wales, ONS".
27. ^ "TS021 - Ethnic group - Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics". www.nomisweb.co.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
28. ^ "2011 Census: Ethnic Group, local authorities in England and Wales, ONS".
29. ^ Shell, Hanna Rose (2020). Shoddy: From Devil's Dust to the Renaissance of Rags. Chicago: University of Chicago. p. 159\. ISBN 9780226377759.
30. ^ Application to register: Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb (PDF), DEFRA, archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2013, retrieved 25 February 2010
31. ^ "The Drift remembers Yorkshire's industrial past". University of Bolton. 27 January 2014. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
32. ^ "Productions at North Light Film Studios". North Light Film Studios. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
33. ^ "Film & TV". Examiner. Huddersfield. Archived from the original on 15 May 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
34. ^ Ballinger, Lauren (5 December 2014). "North Light Film Studios – Remember Me filming locations". Examiner. Huddersfield. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
35. ^ Rees, Caroline (3 November 2013). "Sally Wainwright: not the same old". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
36. ^ Bremner, Jade (11 December 2013). "Last Tango in Halifax actress Sarah Lancashire begins shooting new crime drama in Yorkshire". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
37. ^ "Creative England provides filming location and crew support to new BBC drama Happy Valley when filming in Yorkshire". Creative England. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
38. ^ Gildea, Samantha (1 February 2016). "Jericho filming locations". Examiner. Huddersfield. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
39. ^ "£830m Government boost set to kickstart mass transit scheme - including line through West Leeds". West Leeds Dispatch. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
40. ^ "West Yorkshire Mayor welcomes £830 million funding to progress work on transforming the region's transport system". West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
41. ^ "'Tough decisions' needed after funding for bus improvement plan falls £98m short". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
42. ^ "Mayor cautiously welcomes £900 million funding to improve transport across West Yorkshire". West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
43. ^ "Over 240 electric buses could soon be rolled out through £81m scheme". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
44. ^ "Capital Spending and Project Approvals" (PDF). 23 June 2022. p. 6\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.

## Sources

[edit]

* Beckett, J. V. (2005), City status in the British Isles,1830–2002, Ashgate Publishing, ISBN 0-7546-5067-7

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Yorkshire.

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