Sharlston

Coordinates: 53°40′12″N 1°24′48″W / 53.669968°N 1.41346°W / 53.669968; -1.41346

Sharlston is a village and civil parish situated 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England, and includes the settlements of Old Sharlston, Sharlston Common and New Sharlston. Its population at the 2001 census was 2,756. The village lies in the City of Wakefield unitary district.

History

The village of Old Sharlston has existed for over five hundred years, with the oldest known record indicating that Sharlston Old Hall was built in 1574. In the early 18th century, the village was acquired by the Earl of Westmorland.

Sharlston's listed buildings and structures are grouped around Grade II* Sharlston Hall, a manor house of 15th-century origin with later additions, and include the hall's entrance gateway.

Until April 1929 Sharlston formed part of the Warmfield parish, but is now managed by its own parish council.

Pit village

A pit or model village of more than 150 back-to-back houses was built at New Sharlston from 1864 to house Sharlston Colliery Company workers. The houses cost just over £100 each and the streets were named Long Row, Crossley Street and High Street. A Methodist chapel and a day school were built on Crossley Street. The properties became the property of the National Coal Board in 1947. In 1961 twenty eight back-to-back houses were converted into 14 through houses. The school and the chapel have been demolished.