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Pictures of Featherstone

in the county of West Yorkshire

About Featherstone

Featherstone is a large town lying between Wakefield and Pontefract in West Yorkshire. For the past couple of centuries the town was known chiefly for its coal mines. It came to the fore during the miners' strike of 1893 when soldiers fired on striking miners killing two. This horrific act came to be known as "The Featherstone Massacre" and today a large sculpture marking the centenary of the killings, stands in the shopping precinct at the centre of the town.

At the crossroads of the town there is an interesting mural depicting the town's heritage. It's hey-day lies in the period covering the Industrial Revolution and the introduction of the railways, but the town's history extends beyond this. The Travellers Rest, a noted inn has its roots in the 17th century, and the Jubilee Hotel patronized by wealthy Victorians is now a listed building.

Featherstone is undergoing a period of change, gone are the old "pit" cottages, in their place is land covered with smart new housing and a new "state of the art" community centre has been built in Station Lane.

The "Green Lungs" of the town are found in Purston Park, a lovely tranquil oasis which was opened in 1950. This offers scope for recreation, with a lake, golfing, bowling greens and a children's play area.

Featherstone has plenty of shops, all the usual food stores are represented, with a few individual shops such as antiques and art. There are several churches, one a small chapel, is now an antique sale room! The town has a wide choice of pubs, restaurants, cafe's and tea-rooms, there are also take away's and fish 'n' chips. Sport is well provided for, this is the home of Featherstone Rovers Rugby League, and Pontefract racecourse is just a short distance away.

Recommended towns & villages near Featherstone

Pontefract Cemetery

Pontefract (181 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of West Yorkshire

(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NE of Featherstone)

Pontefract has a ruined castle which has seen many tragedies, Richard II was murdered there in 1400, and later it was the scene of bitter, bloody battles between Roundheads and Royalists...

Dawn in Secker Wood

Wakefield (43 Pictures) in the county of West Yorkshire

(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction W of Featherstone)

Wakefield was the capital of Yorkshire's woollen industry for more than 700 years, it was an important weaving and dying centre as far back as the 13th century...

Leeds Civic and Leeds Town Hall

Leeds (233 Pictures) in the county of West Yorkshire

(11.8 miles, 18.9 km, direction NW of Featherstone)

In the middle ages Leeds was a wool centre and it flourished. The sheep on the Yorkshire moors providing the wool for the cottage craft industry of spinning and weaving. The.....

Church

Snaith (7 Pictures) in the county of East Riding of Yorkshire

(13.7 miles, 22.1 km, direction E of Featherstone)

This small town appears to be almost surrounded by water, it developed along the banks of the River Aire and to the east is the Ouse...

A picture of Doncaster Minster

Doncaster (118 Pictures) in the county of South Yorkshire

(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction SE of Featherstone)

Doncaster lies in what was once a great sweep of Yorkshire coalfields. It is home to one of the finest racecourses in the country where the classic St.Leger Stakes has been run each September since 1776, making the race four years older than the Derby...

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Nearby attractions..

Pontefract Castle Chapel in Autumn. West Yorkshire.

Pontefract Castle (101 Pictures)

(2.6 miles, 4.1 km, direction NE)

..

Outline of Sandal

Sandal Castle (12 Pictures)

(5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction W)

The crumbling, naked ruins of Sandal Castle are now owned by Wakefield council, and what an inspired choice of centre-piece they.....

Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire. Viewed from Westgate

Wakefield Cathedral (2 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction W)

This was formerly the parish church of All Saints, it only became a cathedral at the end of the 19th century. With its.....

A view of Newmillerdam taken near the memorial, West Yorkshire.

Newmillerdam Country Park (20 Pictures)

(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SW)

This attractive country park offers a rich and varied country landscape, it is dominated by a large lake ringed by numerous trees.....

Temple Newsam, Leeds. Lovely entrance

Temple Newsam (2 Pictures)

(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)

This is a stunning house set in magical grounds. It began life hundreds of years ago but the oldest part of the house we see.....

Brodsworth Hall at night

Brodsworth Hall (120 Pictures)

(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction SE)

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Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, West Yorkshire

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (35 Pictures)

(9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction SW)

This is an exciting, fascinating tourist attraction that is both fun and thought provoking for all the family. It has fast.....


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