ABERFORD: Leeds Parish #4 of 38

On the Eastern outskirts of the City of Leeds is a very historic village whose growth has historically been along its main road, and the village has therefore developed that linear, rather than nucleated profile. It’s proximity to the A1 is no fluke either. As we’ve learnt countless times before, the A1 is the modern route of the Great North Road. This is yet another village which the road used to pass through. It was where the Great North Road crossed over the Cock River. No longer termed a river, it’s now reduced in volume and has been renamed Cock Beck. It was also the midway point between London and Edinburgh, being around 200 miles distant from each city until the construction of the A1(M) motorway bypass starting at Hook Moor. Whilst a village in its own right, it’s split between three civil parishes. That’s why not everything within the village will be in this video. Don’t worry though, the bits that aren’t will feature in future episodes. Much of the village was formerly owned by Oriel