View source for Baildon

{{Short description|Town and civil parish in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{About|the town in Yorkshire, England|the hamlet in Canada|Baildon, Saskatchewan|the rural municipality which surrounds said hamlet|Rural Municipality of Baildon No. 131}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                  = England
| official_name            = Baildon
| coordinates              = {{coord|53.851|-1.763|display=inline,title}}
| population               = 15,360
| civil_parish             = Baildon
| metropolitan_borough     = [[City of Bradford]]
| metropolitan_county      = [[West Yorkshire]]
| region                   = Yorkshire and the Humber
| constituency_westminster = [[Shipley (UK Parliament constituency)|Shipley]]
| councillor1              = Debbie Davies
| party1                   = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| councillor2              = Mike Pollard
| party2                   = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| councillor3              = Valerie Townend
| party3                   = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| static_image_name        = Browgate roundabout.jpg
| static_image_caption     = Baildon, Browgate roundabout
| post_town                = SHIPLEY
| postcode_district        = BD17
| postcode_area            = BD
| dial_code                = 01274
| os_grid_reference        = SE155395
| london_distance_mi       = 185
| london_direction         = south-east
}}

'''Baildon''' is a town<ref name="TA:CTSA">{{cite web |last=Tate |first=Chris |title=Councillors take swift decision to make Baildon a town |location=Bradford |work=Telegraph and Argus |access-date=29 September 2013 |date=12 June 2013 |url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/10477636.Councillors_take_swift_decision_to_make_Baildon_a_town/}}</ref> and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[City of Bradford|Bradford Metropolitan Borough]] in [[West Yorkshire]], England and within the [[Historic counties of England|historic boundaries]] of the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]].

It lies {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} north of Bradford city centre. The town forms a continuous urban area with Shipley and Bradford, and is part of the [[West Yorkshire Built-up Area]].<ref>{{cite web |title=West Yorkshire Built Up Area |url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx |website=Nomis |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=20 August 2020}}</ref> Other nearby suburbs include [[Shipley, West Yorkshire|Shipley]] to the south and [[Saltaire]] to the west. As of the 2011 census, the '''Baildon ward''' had a population of 15,360.<ref>{{cite web|title=Area: Baildon Ward|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=13689846&c=baildon&d=14&e=61&g=6369036&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1448037824405&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|publisher=Office for National Statistics|access-date=20 November 2015|archive-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121095727/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=13689846&c=baildon&d=14&e=61&g=6369036&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1448037824405&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History ==
{{anchor|Baildon Moor}}
[[Cup and ring mark|Cup-and-ring stones]] on Baildon Moor have shown evidence of [[Bronze Age]] inhabitation.<ref name="BV:H">{{cite web |last=Marfell |first=Paul |title=History |work=Baildon Village |access-date=29 September 2013 |url=http://www.baildon.org.uk/content/view/98/44/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718174629/http://www.baildon.org.uk/content/view/98/44/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2012}}</ref>

Baildon Moor has a number of [[gritstone]] outcrops with numerous prehistoric [[cup and ring marks]]. A denuded and mutilated bank represents the remains of an [[Iron Age]] settlement known as Soldier's Trench, sometimes mistaken for a Bronze Age [[stone circle]].<ref name="MP:STSC">{{cite web |title=The Soldiers Trench Stone Circle |work=The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map |access-date=3 March 2011 |url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=691}}</ref>
A Bronze Age cup-marked rock is incorporated in the bank.<ref name="P:ST">{{PastScape |mname=Soldiers Trench |access-date=25 July 2012 |mnumber=49552}}</ref>

The name Baildon derives from the [[Old English]] ''bēgeldūn'' meaning 'bend hill' or 'circle hill'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Yorkshire+WR/Baildon|title=Key to English Place-names|website=kepn.nottingham.ac.uk|accessdate=2 October 2025}}</ref>

Baildon is recorded as ''Beldone'' and ''Beldune'' in the [[Domesday Book]]. In 1066 it belonged to a Gospatric, son of Arnketil, and had passed to Erneis of Buron by 1086.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|SE1539|baildon|Baildon}}</ref>

Baildon had two [[manor house]]s: one on Hall Cliffe, the other in lower Baildon.

During the [[Industrial Revolution]], Baildon developed a woollen industry; Westgate House was built in 1814 by the Ambler family who were prominent in the wool trade and the warehouse part of the building was Feathers Bakery now Nine Café adjacent to the mill which is now the Westgate Bar.<ref name="BV:WH">{{cite web |last=Marfell |first=Paul |title=History: Westgate House |work=Baildon Village |access-date=24 July 2012 |date=5 April 2007 |url=http://www.baildon.org.uk/content/view/98/44/1/4/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120082934/http://www.baildon.org.uk/content/view/98/44/1/4/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 November 2008 }}</ref>

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, conditions in Bradford deteriorated and poverty and ill health became widespread; Baildon began developing as a [[commuter town]] along with neighbouring Shipley. In the 1960s, the Hall Cliffe manor house was demolished and replaced with the Ian Clough Hall, named after a [[#Notable people|local mountaineer]]. In the latter years of the 20th century, the West Riding suffered from economic decline through the gradual closure of its textile and engineering industries.{{citation needed |date=July 2012}} Bradford was particularly affected by this; however, Leeds grew as a major administrative and financial centre and Baildon with its railway links to Leeds has become a strategic commuter town.{{citation needed |date=July 2012}}

=== Gypsy parties ===
Baildon was an important location for the British [[Names of the Romani people#Gypsy and gipsy|Gypsy]] community. A report of 1929 stated that annual Gypsy Parties had started two to three hundred years before – records were said to go back to 1770 when it was reported to be an ancient custom. In 1881, up to 5,000 people are said to have paid for admission. Gradually the event was taken over by local residents, who dressed up as Gypsies and formed 'tribes'. Proceeds went to the local horticultural society.
After 1897 the tradition died out, apparently because the 'real Gypsies' had disappeared. However, in 1929 it was revived to raise funds for Baildon Hospital.
A local resident, John Keen, then contacted the so-called [[King of the Gypsies]], [[Xavier Petulengro]], and they re-established large Gypsy gatherings at Baildon, recorded on [[Pathe News]] films and shown nationally in cinemas.<ref name=GRTL>{{cite web|last=Matthews |first=Freda |title=Gypsies in Local History |work=Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds |access-date=26 February 2011 |year=2007 |url=http://www.grtleeds.co.uk/History/Leeds.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008021824/http://www.grtleeds.co.uk/History/Leeds.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name="BP">{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/a-romany-wedding-on-yorkshire-moors|title=A Romany Wedding on Yorkshire Moors|work=British Pathe|access-date=12 January 2020}}; {{cite web|url=https://www.britishpathe.com/video/double-gypsy-wedding/query/Double+Gypsy+Wedding|title=Double Gypsy Wedding|work=British Pathe|access-date=26 February 2011}}</ref>

The Gypsy Parties ended with the start of the [[Second World War]], and were never revived.<ref name=GRTL/>

=== Pleasure Grounds ===
[[File:Shipley Glen Railway - geograph.org.uk - 17666.jpg|190px |thumb |right |[[Shipley Glen Tramway]]]]
In northern Shipley off Prod Lane there was a small fairground with [[Bumper cars|dodgem cars]], booths and a historic "Aerial Glide" [[suspended roller coaster]] that for a short period had listed building status.<ref name=AAB3>{{cite web |title=Shipley Glen |work=All About Bradford Three |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://sites.google.com/site/allaboutbradfordthree/shipley-glen}}</ref><ref name=TPG>{{cite web |last=Radice |first=Gary |title=A Tale of Shipley Glen: The Mike Short Interview |work=themagiceye |access-date=27 February 2011 |date=November 2003 |url=http://www.joylandbooks.com/themagiceye/articles/taleofshipleyglen.htm}}; {{cite web |title=Shipley Glen Aerial Ride |work=www.ukrides.info |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.ukrides.info/shipley_glen.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303123812/http://www.ukrides.info/shipley_glen.htm |archive-date=3 March 2011}}; {{cite web |title=The Aerial Glide, Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds, Shipley |work=joylandbooks.com |access-date=27 February 2011 |date=September 2000 |url=http://www.joylandbooks.com/shipleyglen/}}</ref>
In earlier years the fairground attractions at Shipley Glen were much more extensive.<ref name=TET>{{cite web |title=The Eldwick Tragedy 1920 |work=The Eldwick Tragedy |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://sites.google.com/site/theeldwicktragedy/}}{{dead link |date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
The fairground closed and is now dismantled and newly built (2015/6) private housing now covers the site.<ref name=SWHS>{{cite web |title=Saltaire World Heritage Site |work=saltairevillage.info |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.saltairevillage.info/saltaire_history_0005_shipley_glen_fun_fair.html}}</ref>
The only working remnant of the Pleasure Grounds is the [[Shipley Glen Tramway|Shipley Glen Cable Tramway]], a [[funicular railway]] carrying passengers from just north of [[Roberts Park, Saltaire]] up the hill side through Walker Wood to the location of the Pleasure Grounds at the top of Prod Lane.

== Geography ==
Baildon lies to the north east of Bradford, and is linked to Bradford and Shipley by the B6151. To the north of Baildon lies Baildon Moor, a part of [[Rombalds Moor]], with several quarries and underlying strata of coal. There are the remains of old [[bell pit]]s for mining the coal.<ref name="WYGT">{{cite web |title=Baildon |url=http://www.wyorksgeologytrust.org/bradford/baildonmor.html |work=West Yorkshire Geology Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121061054/http://www.wyorksgeologytrust.org/bradford/baildonmor.html |archive-date=21 November 2008 }}</ref>

Across Baildon Moor is the village of Menston, the town of [[Ilkley]] and Ilkley Moor. Baildon is situated on a hill to the north of the [[River Aire]] and the [[Leeds and Liverpool Canal]].

Baildon is {{convert|9|mi|km|0}} from [[Leeds city centre]] and {{convert|3|mi|km|0}} from Bradford city centre.

{{gallery |align=center |width=160
|File:Baildon, West Yorkshire.jpg |Catten Stones above Shipley Glen
|File:Baildon Moor - geograph.org.uk - 26668.jpg |Baildon Moor
|File:Part of Baildon Green - geograph.org.uk - 163758.jpg |Baildon Green
}}

== Governance ==

[[File:Baildon Ward 2004.png|thumb|right |2004 Boundaries of Baildon Ward]]

;History

Baildon was made a [[Local board of health|local board district]] in 1852. Elections were held on 16 September 1852, and the first quorate meeting of the local board was held on 9 October 1852. Such districts were reconstituted as [[Urban district (England and Wales)|urban districts]] with effect from 31 December 1894 under the [[Local Government Act 1894]]. It was then administered by [[Baildon Urban District|Baildon Urban District Council]] until it was disbanded when Bradford Metropolitan District Council was established in 1974.

;Present day

A group of local residents held an open meeting on 7 May 1997 and as a result the Baildon Community Council came into being on 26 June 1997 as a means of communicating local interest to appropriate authorities.
Residents of Baildon went through the appropriate legal process and as a result Baildon Parish Council was formed which held its first full meeting 14 May 2007.
The civil parish does not cover nearby [[Esholt]], part of the Baildon Ward at District level, but includes the area North of the River Aire along Coach Road and Higher Coach Road (Baildon South West) which is within the [[Shipley, West Yorkshire|Shipley]] Ward at District level.

On Monday 10 June 2013 Baildon officially became a town when Baildon Parish Council resolved that, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 s245, the Parish of Baildon shall have the status of a town.
Consequently, the Parish Council was renamed Baildon ''Town'' Council.<ref name="BTC">{{cite web |title=Meeting and Documents |work=Baildon Town Council |access-date=29 September 2013 |url=http://www.baildontowncouncil.gov.uk/documents.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914205703/http://www.baildontowncouncil.gov.uk/documents.php |archive-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

;Councillors

Baildon ward is represented on [[City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council|Bradford Council]] by three [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] councillors, Valerie Townend, Mike Pollard and Debbie Davies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Your councillors by ward |url=https://bradford.moderngov.co.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=bradford.moderngov.co.uk |publisher=[[City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council]] |access-date=20 September 2017}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Election!!colspan="2"|Councillor!!colspan="2"|Councillor!!colspan="2"|Councillor
|-
| [[2004 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2004]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| John Briggs ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| John Cole ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|-
| [[2006 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2006]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
| John Briggs ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
| John Cole ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|-
| [[2007 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2007]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Roger L'Amie ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
| John Cole ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|-
| [[2008 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2008]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Roger L'Amie ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| John Cole ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|-
| [[2010 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2010]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Roger L'Amie ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
| John Cole ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|-
| [[2011 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2011]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Roger L'Amie ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}"|
| John Cole ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
|-
| [[2012 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2012]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Roger L'Amie ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Debbie Davies ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|-
| [[2014 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2014]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Roger L'Amie ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Debbie Davies ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|-
| [[2015 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2015]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Mike Pollard ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Debbie Davies ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|-
| [[2016 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2016]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Mike Pollard ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Debbie Davies ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|-
| [[2018 City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council election|2018]]
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
|bgcolor="#99CCFF"| Valerie Townend ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Mike Pollard ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| Debbie Davies ([[Conservative Party (UK)|Con]])
|}
{{color box|#99CCFF|border=darkgray}} indicates seat up for re-election.

== Economy ==

Baildon has a modest town centre with most everyday amenities including independent traders, estate agents and family law solicitors.

There is a [[Co-operative Group|Co-op]] supermarket and a small [[Tesco]] on the outskirts.
The centre is home to many independent shops including Pickles Delicatessen, Westgate General Stores, Seasons Home, Finesse Gifts and Baildon Interiors.
There are also several independently owned hair dressers and beauty salons and a variety of restaurants and take-aways.
There are some eight public houses and bars in Baildon.<ref name="PG:B">{{cite web |title=Pubs in Baildon |work=Pubs Galore |access-date=24 July 2012 |url=http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/areas/baildon/west-yorkshire/}}</ref>

{{gallery |align=center |width=160 |footer=<sup>*</sup> listed buildings
|File:The Bulls Head, Baildon.jpg |The Bulls Head public house, Westgate
|File:The Malt Shovel Tavern, Baildon.jpg |The Malt Shovel Tavern,<sup>*</sup> Northgate
}}

=== Charlestown ===

Charlestown in south east Baildon is the area of Baildon with the highest concentration of industry.
The area is in the valley bottom between Otley Road and the River Aire, and includes the Acorn Park Industrial Estate and the Butterfield Industrial Estate. Notable companies established in Charlestown include Manor Coating Systems<ref name="TL:MCS">{{cite web |title=Manor Coating Systems Ltd |work=thomsonlocal.com |access-date=28 July 2012 |url=http://www.thomsonlocal.com/Manor%20Coating%20Systems%20Ltd/0168517200305563000/companyinfo.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204081642/http://www.thomsonlocal.com/Manor%20Coating%20Systems%20Ltd/0168517200305563000/companyinfo.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2013}}</ref> and [[Denso]] Marston Radiators.<ref name=TM>{{cite web|title=Denso Marston |work=The Manufacturer.com |access-date=5 March 2011 |date=August 2004 |url=http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/profile/4776/Denso_Marston |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717011953/http://www.themanufacturer.com/uk/profile/4776/Denso_Marston |archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref>

Further north east in Charlestown there are plans for a 'Baildon Business Park' and hotel on a green field site near Buck Lane, at a cost of £25&nbsp;million but there is opposition to the move.<ref name="TA:BGIB">{{cite web |last=Meneaud |first=Marc |title=Baildon group in bid to overturn decision on business park |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |location=Bradford |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8867879.Baildon_group_in_bid_to_overturn_decision_on_business_park/}}; {{cite web |title=Protesters planning fresh appeal after councillors claimed 'hands were tied' |work=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |location=Bradford |access-date=27 February 2011 |date=14 February 2011 |url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8850039.Firms_keen_to_move_to_Baildon_business_park/}}</ref>
Another industrial area is the Tong Park Industrial Estate off Otley Road in eastern Baildon.

== Landmarks ==
One&nbsp;of&nbsp;the main monuments in Baildon is the Frances Ferrand memorial fountain, known locally as the 'potted meat stick'.
This was built by Baron Amphlett of Somerset as a memorial to his mother-in-law, Frances Ferrand.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Baildon |first1=W Paley |title=Baildon and the Baildon's; a history of a Yorkshire Manor and Family |year=1912 |publisher=St Catherines Press |page=20 |url=https://archive.org/stream/baildonbaildonsh01bail#page/43/mode/2up|access-date=29 November 2015}}</ref>
It still stands today to the eastern side of Browgate.
In 1925 the monument was put at threat when plans were produced to replace in with a bus terminus.
In the 1960s the monument was removed and dismantled; however, in 1986 the [[Mechanics Institute]] raised funds to take it out of storage and restore it.<ref name=PMS>{{cite web |last=Marfell |first=Paul |title=Baildon House – Potted Meat Stick |work=Baildon Village |access-date=26 February 2011 |url=http://www.baildon.org.uk/content/view/98/44/1/2/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728172822/http://www.baildon.org.uk/content/view/98/44/1/2/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 July 2012}}</ref>
To the north of Towngate roundabout in front of Glendale House is a concrete paved open area created in the 1960s containing what remains of the stocks and a sandstone pillar thought to be the remains of a mediaeval cross, both Grade II listed.<ref name="BMDC:BSRCA">{{cite web |title=Baildon and Station Road Conservation Area Assessment |publisher=City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council |access-date=24 March 2019 |url=https://www.bradford.gov.uk/media/2326/baildonandstationroadcaa.pdf |date=December 2005 }}</ref> On Glen Road on the edge of Baildon Moor, close to Shipley Glen, is [[Bracken Hall Countryside Centre and Museum]], a free-to-visit children's museum, natural history education centre and nature centre.<ref name="BMAG">{{cite web |title=Bracken Hall |work=Bradford Museums & Galleries |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/brackenhall/index.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716090158/http://www.bradfordmuseums.org/venues/brackenhall/index.php |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Baildon's war memorials are situated on Browgate<ref name="BDP:BWM">{{cite web |title=Baildon War Memorial |work=Bradford Parks & Landscape Service |access-date=28 July 2012 |url=http://www.bradforddistrictparks.org/sites/warmemorials/baildon.htm |archive-date=21 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321052254/http://www.bradforddistrictparks.org/sites/warmemorials/baildon.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
and in Tong Park.<ref name="WW2M:TPWM">{{cite web |last=de Vries |first=Fedor |title=War Memorial Tong Park |work=WW2Museums.com |access-date=28 July 2012 |url=http://ww2museums.com/article/17126/War-Memorial-Tong-Park.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209180841/http://ww2museums.com/article/17126/War-Memorial-Tong-Park.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 February 2013}}</ref>

{{Gallery |align=center
|File:Potted Meat Stick, Baildon.jpg |Frances Ferrand memorial fountain
|File:Stocks, Market Cross, Cherry Blossom- Baildon (3498404474).jpg |Stocks and sandstone pillar
|File:Brackenhall 017.jpg |Bracken Hall Countryside Centre
|File:War Memorial - Browgate - geograph.org.uk - 511965.jpg |Baildon War Memorial, Browgate
|File:Baildon Liberal Club buildings.jpg |The Liberal Club, Northgate
}}

North of Upper Coach Road in Shipley is [[Shipley Glen Tramway]], a narrow-gauge [[funicular]] railway. The railway takes passengers between the valley floor near Titus Salt School to the bottom of Prod Lane, a short walking distance from Shipley Glen.<ref name="AAB3"/><ref name=SGT>{{cite web |title=Welcome to Shipley Glen Tramway |work=Shipley Glen Tramway |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.glentramway.co.uk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703030420/http://www.glentramway.co.uk/ |archive-date=3 July 2011 }}; {{cite web |title=Shipley Glen – From Victorian tourist attraction to country park |work=Yorkshire Guide |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.yorkshire-guide.co.uk/airedale/shipley-glen.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017000044/http://www.yorkshire-guide.co.uk/airedale/shipley-glen.aspx |archive-date=17 October 2010 }}; {{cite web |title=Shipley Glen Tramway |work=The Heritage Trail |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/cliff_trams/shipley_glen.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213071746/http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/cliff_trams/shipley_glen.htm |archive-date=13 December 2011 }}; {{cite web |title=Shipley Glen Tramway, Yorkshire |work=Nothing To See Here |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2006/06/shipley_glen_tramway_yorkshire.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120061001/http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2006/06/shipley_glen_tramway_yorkshire.html |archive-date=20 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Churches ===

The Church of St.&nbsp;James in Charlestown is a painted [[tongue and groove]] timber building, now a grade&nbsp;II listed building.<ref name="BLB-CoSJ">{{cite web |title=Church of St James – Shipley |work=British Listed Buildings |access-date=7 March 2011  |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-337878-church-of-st-james-shipley}}</ref>
It was moved to Baildon from [[Great Warley]], Essex in 1905.
The Reverend N.&nbsp;R.&nbsp;Bailey, rector of Great Warley, had property in Baildon and hoped to retire there.
However his obituary was published in November 1900 before he retired.
In 2007/2008 the church was moved again, but only by a few yards.
This allowed the surrounding land to be sold by the Diocese for development.
Rotten timbers were replaced and underground [[heat pump]] system installed to make the building more eco-friendly.

The Church of [[St. John the Evangelist]] designed by Mallinson & Healey, was built in 1848 though the south tower was not added until 1928.
The east window designed by Powell & Sons was added in 1870.<ref name=SJEB>{{cite book |last=Pevsner |first=Nikolaus |title=The Buildings of England – Yorkshire West Riding |year=1998 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0-14-071075-5}}; {{cite web |title=Church of St John the Evangelist – Shipley |work=British Listed Buildings |access-date=6 March 2011 |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-337863-church-of-st-john-the-evangelist-shipley}}</ref>

{{gallery |align=center |width=160 |footer=<sup>*</sup> listed buildings
|File:St James Church Baildon.jpg |Church of St. James<sup>*</sup> during the move and refit in 2007
|File:St John the Evangelist Church - Hallcliffe - geograph.org.uk - 511997.jpg |Church of St. John the Evangelist,<sup>*</sup> Hall Cliffe
|File:Baildon Methodist Church - Binswell Fold - geograph.org.uk - 511980.jpg |Baildon Methodist Church, Binswell Fold
|File:Baildon Moravian Church - geograph.org.uk - 511969.jpg |Baildon Moravian Church.<sup>*</sup>
}}

{{clear |left}}

== Transport ==

The village is served by [[Baildon railway station]] on the [[rail electrification|electrified]] [[Wharfedale Line]] with connections to [[Forster Square, Bradford|Bradford Forster Square]] and [[Ilkley railway station|Ilkley]].
There is however, no service to Leeds owing to its position on the curve between the two lines.
Passengers must instead change at [[Shipley, West Yorkshire|Shipley]] or the nearby [[Guiseley]] (Shipley having more services).
Baildon is served by the West Yorkshire Metro 626, 649, and 656–659 First and Yorkshire Tiger bus services.<ref name=WYM>{{cite web|title=Bus timetables: Services 600 to 699 |work=Metro |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.wymetro.com/BusTravel/bustimetables/600 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105091359/http://www.wymetro.com/BusTravel/bustimetables/600 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 January 2013 }}</ref>
The main road through Baildon is the [[A6038 road|A6038 Otley Road]] while the B6151 Baildon Road / Brow Gate goes the short distance from Otley Road up to Browgate roundabout.

== Education ==
There were a large number of First and Middle schools in the area, including Ferniehurst First School, Tong Park First School, Belmont Middle School and Ladderbanks Middle School, before the 1998 Bradford Education reform which returned the area to a two-tier school system. Currently, there are four local primary schools: Sandal Primary School to the North on West Lane, Baildon Church of England School to the east off Langley Lane, Hoyle Court Primary school in Charlestown and Baildon Glen Primary School to the south on Thompson Lane.

The nearest secondary school for the area is [[Titus Salt School]] on Higher Coach Road, overlooking [[Roberts Park, Saltaire]]. There is dispute as to which town the school actually is in, some classing it as Baildon and some as [[Saltaire]].<ref name=TSS>{{cite web |title=Titus Salt School – A Specialist School in Maths & Computing |work=Titus Salt School |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.titussaltschool.co.uk/}}</ref>

== Sport and leisure==
Within Baildon there are sports clubs for cricket, football, golf, rugby and running.<ref name=SPORT>{{cite web|title=Baildon Cricket Club |work=Clubbz |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.clubbz.com/club/2004/shipley/baildon-cricket-club |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129094619/http://www.clubbz.com/club/2004/shipley/baildon-cricket-club |archive-date=29 November 2010 }}; {{cite web|title=Baildon New Inn Football Club |work=Baildon New Inn FC |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.newinnfc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320232821/http://www.newinnfc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ |archive-date=20 March 2012 }}; {{cite web|title=Baildon Golf Club, West Yorkshire |work=Baildon Golf Club |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.baildongolfclub.com/ }}; {{cite web|title=Baildon Rugby Club |work=Pitchero |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/baildon/a/history-7771.html }}; {{cite web|title=Welcome to Baildon Runners |work=Baildon Runners |access-date=5 March 2011 |url=http://www.baildonrunners.co.uk/ }}</ref>

Sconce camp site, near to Baildon, is operated by Aire Valley [[Scouting in the United Kingdom|scout]] district.<ref>Aire Valley Scouts, [https://www.sconcecampsite.org/ Sconce Scout Campsite], accessed 2 February 2024</ref>

== Media ==
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC Yorkshire]] and [[ITV Yorkshire]]. Television signals are received from the [[Emley Moor transmitting station|Emley Moor]] TV transmitter and the Idle relay transmitter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Idle|title= Full Freeview on the Idle (Bradford, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=12 January 2024}}</ref> Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Leeds]], [[Heart Yorkshire]], [[Capital Yorkshire]], [[Hits Radio West Yorkshire]], and [[Greatest Hits Radio West Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bestradios.co.uk/yorkshire-radio-stations/ |title=Yorkshire Radio Stations|access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref> The town is served by the local newspaper, ''[[Telegraph & Argus]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-yorks/telegraph-argus/|title=Telegraph & Argus|date=24 May 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate=12 January 2024}}</ref>

== Culture and events ==

For nearly a quarter of a century the [[Bank holiday|August bank holiday]] weekend saw over 500 [[Harley-Davidson]] riders arrive in Baildon as part of the annual UK rally of the Harley-Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain fundraising rally.{{citation needed |date=July 2012}}
The HDRCGB ran the rally up to 2001 when it moved to Berkshire.
In 2003, Harley-Davidson's Centenary Year, the HDRCGB hosted the event for the last time in Baildon.
The rally is now organised by the Shipley Harley-Davidson Club.
In 2008 430 riders were given a police escort down Browgate towards Hollins Hill, from where most riders travelled to [[Harewood House]].

=== Cultural references ===

==== Film and television ====

* ''[[Billy Liar (film)|Billy Liar]]'' (1963) – '''Locations:''' Midland Road; Hinchliffe Avenue (Number 37 is the Fisher household)
* ''[[Monty Python's The Meaning of Life]]'' (1983) – '''Locations:''' Baildon Moor
* ''[[Damon & Debbie]]'' (1987) – '''Locations:''' St Anne's Terrace; Threshfield
* ''[[Rita, Sue & Bob Too]]'' (1987) – '''Locations:''' Bramham Drive (Number 5 is Bob's House); Baildon Moor; Baildon Village.
* ''[[Where the Heart Is (1997 TV series)|Where The Heart Is]]'' (1997) – '''Locations:''' Ferniehurst First School, Cliffe Lane West & Baildon Green

==== Music ====

* Baildon Moor is mentioned in the song LS43 by New Model Army
Baildon Orchestra is an amateur orchestra which was formed in the mid-1940s and still meets on a weekly basis throughout the year. website baildonorchestra.weebly.com

== Notable people ==
{{see also|:Category:People from Baildon}}

The late journalist and ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'' TV game show presenter [[Richard Whiteley]] was a native of Baildon,<ref name="Indep">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-whiteley-295279.html|title=Obituaries – Richard Whiteley|date=28 June 2005|work=The Independent|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112152822/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-whiteley-295279.html|archive-date=12 January 2020|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
and [[Austin Mitchell]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Great Grimsby]] from 1977 until 2015, was born in Baildon.<ref name=FOL>{{cite web |title=Tyke life and humour according to Austin |work=Free Online Library |access-date=4 March 2011 |year=2009 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tyke+life+and+humour+according+to+Austin%3B+Yorkshire-born+MP+Austin...-a0208868127}}</ref> The former wool merchant and RAF Officer [[Geoffrey Ambler]] was born in Baildon in 1904.<ref>{{cite ODNB|first=Emily|last=Winterburn|title=Ambler, Geoffrey Hill|id=46570}}</ref>

[[File:Ian Clough Hall - Hallcliffe - geograph.org.uk - 512453.jpg|thumb|The former Ian Clough Hall, Hallcliffe]]

[[Mountaineering|Mountaineer]] [[Ian Clough (mountaineer)|Ian Clough]] was born in Baildon.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Titley |first1=Cris |title=Baildon – step off the beaten track to discover the best of West Yorkshire |url=http://www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/baildon_step_off_the_beaten_track_to_discover_the_best_of_west_yorkshire_1_1568972|website=Yorkshire Life |access-date=20 November 2015 |date=12 March 2012}}</ref>
After he was killed on an expedition to the [[Himalaya]]n mountain [[Annapurna]] in 1970, Ian Clough Hall, a meeting-place and arts venue, was established in Baildon in his memory.
The hall was demolished in late 2023; the site is destined to become a complex of private retirement flats but is currently not in use and is off limits to the public.
In the 1960s, Clough and close friend [[Chris Bonington]] were known to have practised their climbing techniques on Baildon Bank – a {{convert|1,000|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=mid|-high}}, ex-quarry rock-face that looks out towards [[Bradford]].
In 1962, Clough and Bonington were the first Britons to successfully scale the treacherous north face of the [[Eiger]] in the [[Swiss Alps]].
Ex-Yorkshire & England cricket captain [[Brian Close]], born in nearby [[Rawdon, West Yorkshire|Rawdon]], settled in the village, and died there in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.<ref name="Tel-BC">{{cite web |title=Brian Close, cricket's lionheart, still chipper as he approaches 80 not out |work=Telegraph |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/8341051/Brian-Close-crickets-lionheart-still-chipper-as-he-approaches-80-not-out.html}}</ref>
Ex-[[Yorkshire CCC|Yorkshire]] and England [[cricket]] fast bowler [[Matthew Hoggard]], though originally from [[Pudsey]], lived in Baildon for some years and was a member of Baildon Cricket Club.<ref name="BW-FP">{{cite web |title=Famous People |work=BaildonWiki |access-date=4 March 2011 |url=http://www.baildonwiki.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Famous_People}}</ref><ref name=TO>{{cite web |title=The Big Interview: Matthew Hoggard |work=Times Online |access-date=4 March 2011 |date=30 October 2005 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article584442.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604160744/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article584442.ece |archive-date=4 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The explorer [[James Theodore Bent]] (1852–1897) spent his boyhood at Baildon House on Station Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baildonwiki.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Baildon_House|title=Baildon House – BaildonWiki|website=www.baildonwiki.co.uk|accessdate=16 May 2021}}</ref> Family memorials are to be found in St John's church. Geoffrey Brindley, known locally as the [[Jesus Man of Bradford]] lived in Baildon until his death in 2015, and there were plans to erect a statue of him in the town.

==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Baildon]]

== References ==

{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==

{{stack|{{commons category|Baildon}}}}
* [http://www.baildononline.co.uk Baildon Online] Baildon Online Community Website
* [http://www.baildon.org.uk/ Baildon Village website] Website initiated by Baildon Community Council
* {{OpenDomesday|SE1539|baildon|Baildon}}
* [http://www.baildontowncouncil.gov.uk/ Baildon Town Council] details and documents related to the activities of Baildon Town Council. Includes Heritage Trail booklets in the Documents section

{{Geographic location
|Northwest =
|North = [[Menston]]
|Northeast = [[Esholt]]
|West = [[Eldwick]]
|Centre = Baildon
|East = [[Thackley]]
|Southwest = [[Saltaire]]
|South = [[Shipley, West Yorkshire|Shipley]]
|Southeast =
}}
{{City of Bradford|state=collapsed}}
{{Portalbar|Yorkshire|England|United Kingdom}}
{{West Yorkshire|state=collapsed}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Geography of the City of Bradford]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in West Yorkshire]]