The 'road' from Adel Willows

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 20 Jan, 2012 7:15 pm

Though unlikely to be part of an 'Adel Willows' road I thought this may still be a thread to mention a pleasant walk off the delightfully named Bedlam Lane that joins Rawden Hill road. The walk is on Allums Lane (mostly a track) off Bedlam Lane. Allums Lane then becomes Bank Top Lane (mostly a track) which comes out on Black Hill Road, though at that point that road may still be called Arthington Road which mysteriously changes its name to become Black Hill Road (to the A659) from around where Bank Top Lane joins it.I hope you do not mind me mentioning this in your thread Jogon.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Fri 20 Jan, 2012 8:19 pm

thanks leo, links in well.I don't know that one, must get my walking pants on.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 25 Jan, 2012 10:25 am

Tracked down a copy of Don Cole's excellent booklet 'Rectors, Squires, Stewards in a Yorkshire Parish, Adel Cookridge'At the rear inside page his map shows roads in existence circa 1800. Otley Rd didn't exist.So coming out of Leeds your options were:-[West Bound]Farrar Lane(Otley Old Rd)>Tinshill Ln.Holt Ln (Otley Old Rd)>Tinshill Rd[East Bound]Church Ln>Arthington Rd[North Bound]Damstone Lane (the 'road' from Adel Willows)>Arthington Rd/King Lane.As previously mentioned, this turned right at the inflow of Adel Dam, the bridle path to King Ln.Unsure of date of building of 1. Adel Dam 2. Blackhill Dam/Reservoir 3. Paul's Pond or whether all done at same time.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 25 Jan, 2012 1:19 pm

Tangent ----->Is Marsh Beck another name to add to the list for our favourite river?

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 25 Jan, 2012 5:26 pm

cardieGood tangent well put. Suggest we gather (greased up) and swim it to Leeds like that David Walliams did the Thames?Then a pint and a growler in the Duck & Drake, bus home.I'm up for it. 0830Hrs Sunday 29th.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Mon 30 Jan, 2012 6:35 pm

Searching for images and more detail of Damstone Lane came across this on geohttp://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=28415611

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Tue 31 Jan, 2012 6:59 pm

While looking for something else I came across this section of an 1851 map in the Old-Maps UK website. It clearly shows a 'road' running from Damstone Farm to Black Hill Dam and Addle Dam. In order to get it all on one image I had to save a much less zoomed image but the text can still be made out. Of interest also note the 'Roman Camp' near 'Addle Mill'. Mostly cut off in the image to the top is 'Bartles Lane' which must be the track that I often use to get to Golden Acre Park from King Lane/Arthington Road junction.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Mon 05 Mar, 2012 11:29 am

Leo thanksDid some research on this from various books including 'Leeds' Golden Acres' by Tony Shelton which makes use of the work of local historian Don Cole.Damstone Lane (which was Leeds Road) originally ran straight ahead at it's "wall end"/junction with the bridle path, Golden Acre park 'dam head walk'. It continued through today's Park to the River Wharfe at Castley.Bridle path from junction King Ln+Arthington Rd through to Parkway A660 was known in medieval times as Ridley Causey and later Bartle's Road. New, ie current Otley Rd built only in 1842 Leeds to Otley Turnpike, as Otley Old Rd too steep/impassible in bad weather. Before the cutting of A660 Ridley Causey roughly met, coincided with Roman Road in the field opposite the Parkway. Now guessing but it then headed towards Cookridge Hall, High Farm.Black Hill was at the edge of an almost impassible swamp (that is now Breary Marsh/Golden Acre). During Norman times the land was owned by Breary Family but by 14th Century was granted to Monks of Kirkstall Abbey. In the 1500's the land passed to the Arthington family.There was then an exchange of lands between Edwin Lascelles of Harewood which saw Blackhill/Breary/Golden Acre pass to the Cookridge Hall estate of Sir John Sheffield and in 1807 Blackhill Quarry began life providing stone for walls etc.Adel Dam (the nature reserve) was built 1715-1770 providing water power for Adel Mill (farm+mill 12th century origins).New Adel Dam/Blackhill Dam+Reservoir/Golden Acre lake+Dam had an area of some 25 acres. It was built in 1825 by Adel Mill Proprietors to "..ensure a supply of water in times of drought.." and so at this point Damstone Lane the 'road' from Adel Willows could no longer go straight ahead and took on it's current right fork.Adel Willows (as it is now known) was Damstone Farm and the road may have taken the name by link to Adel Dam in 1700's and or the later Blackhill Dam.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Mon 05 Mar, 2012 8:49 pm

That's a very interesting history Jogon. Nice work.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Wed 29 Jan, 2014 11:02 pm

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