Wath, West Riding

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Wath
Yorkshire
West Riding

Sportsman's Arms, Wath
Location
Grid reference: SE148677
Location: 54°6’19"N, 1°46’30"W
Data
Post town: Harrogate
Postcode: HG3
Dialling code: 01423
Local Government
Council: North Yorkshire

Wath, sometimes known as Wath-in-Nidderdale to distinguish it from other places named Wath in Yorkshire, is a village in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in Nidderdale. It is near Gouthwaite Reservoir and about three miles north of Pateley Bridge.

The name 'Wath' is derived from the Old Norse vað, meaning "ford".[1]

In the Middle Ages Wath was divided between the lands of Fountains Abbey, north of a small stream known as Dauber Gill, and the lands of the Archbishop of York on the south side. The northern part, including the Sportsman's Arms inn.

Sigsworth Grange was a grange of Fountains Abbey.[2] The present building on the site of the grange dates from the early 18th century.[3]

The small Methodist chapel in the upper part of the village, has an unusual 5-sided shape. It was built in 1859,[4] and is a Grade II listed building.[5]

The ford over the River Nidd, which gave the place its name, was replaced by a bridge by the 16th century.[6] The present bridge, a narrow road bridge, dates from the early 19th century and is a Grade II listed building.[7] In the early 20th century Wath had a station, Wath-in-Nidderdale station, on the Nidd Valley Light Railway.[8]

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Wath, West Riding)

References

  1. Smith, A. H. (1961). The Place-names of the West Riding of Yorkshire. 5. Cambridge University Press. p. 150. 
  2. Jennings, Bernard (1992). A History of Nidderdale. p. 98. ISBN 1 85072 114 9. 
  3. National Heritage List 1150522: Sigsworth Grange and attached barn (Grade II listing)
  4. Methodist Heritage website
  5. National Heritage List 1449371: Wath Methodist Church (Grade II listing)
  6. Jennings, Bernard (1992). A History of Nidderdale. p. 84. ISBN 1 85072 114 9. 
  7. National Heritage List 1150530: Wath, West Riding
  8. Photos of Wath railway station site