Bingley and District Local History Society

Bingley is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, just down the Aire Valley from the famous Bronte area, an area rich in history with prehistoric Rombalds Way coming from the east, passing across what we now refer to as Ilkley Moor and on to the west coast. There is also much in the way of more recent history with the mills, railway and the Leeds Liverpool canal, all from the industrial revolution.

Bingley and District Local History Society was founded in 1988 by a group of local enthusiasts whose interest in Bingley’s history had been stimulated on a local history course run by Dr Gary Firth. The society’s main aims are to disseminate Bingley’s history and provide information in the form of talks, books and DVDs which will widen the local population’s knowledge of the history of the Bingley area which was once known as ‘The Throstle’s Nest of England’. Talks and presentations are given regularly at Church House in Bingley (for details see the calendar). The Society has grown and developed over the years and now includes in it’s program an increasing number of events including some summer walks.

Bingley 25 - May 3 2025

Come along to Damart Mill, Bradley Street, Park Road, Bingley on 3 May to visit the Bingley and District Local History Society`s base on its first day of opening to the public. There will be an exhibition provided by both the Bingley and Cottingley History Societies.

While you are there also visit Damart`s Staff Restaurant area where there are three areas of interest. There will weaving activities for children led by staff from the Bradford Industrial Museum.

There will also be an exceptional display of rare postcards of the local area from the Graham Hall collection.

Last but not least, we have a fine display of Bingley district photographs from the 1950`s and 1960`s which has been provided by Graham West, selected from the highly regarded Frank West archive.

Cup and Ring Stones

In 2008 the society launched an archaeological project in collaboration with Archaeology Department of Bradford University, sponsored by the Lottery Heritage Fund. The project named ‘The Stanbury Hill Project’ is being led by Dr Keith Boughey whose recent presentation to the society on prehistoric rock art and the Cup and Ring stones of Stanbury Hill gave the project its impetus. Stanbury Hill is on the edge of Bingley Moor overlooking the Aire Valley. The investigation is into the Cup and Ring Stone rock art on Stanbury Hill and its links to possible cairns of Bronze Age or Neolithic origin which have recently been discovered by Dr. Boughey and his colleagues.

Please note that this project has now been completed, and there is a small booklet available to describe the findings. For details of the booklet, see the Media page