Dewsbury The Five Minutes Spare Guide

This former textile town with a historic market and professional Rugby League team is the ideal place to spend a weekend.

Known for its massive outdoor market and its steady stream of spenders, Dewsbury is a large town in the borough of Kirklees in West Yorkshire. It lies on the River Calder and although it may not be the first name that springs to mind when planning a Yorkshire getaway we can assure you it has something for everyone. Well pretty much everyone as long as you don’t mind the odd drop of rain. Anyway, frivolities aside let’s get on with telling you why it is so great. Starting with a little Dewsbury history. Well, it’s as good a place to start as any…

Early History of Dewsbury

Dewsbury was already an established town during the time of the 1086 Domesday Survey, however, the town was here long before that. During prehistoric times, neolithic humans lived in the area. A pit in Dewsbury uncovered Neolithic pottery shards. These stone pottery shards date to between 4400 and 3600 BC.

We know that a Roman road ran straight through Dewsbury. We know a little more than that about the Romans here, too. There is speculation between historians over what the extent of the Roman occupation of the area actually was. At least one Roman coin hoard has surfaced in Dewsbury. With that Roman road cutting straight through here and metal detectorists marking it as a point of interest, it’s hard to argue what went on here in the early centuries.

In 627 the Bishop of York preached on the banks of the River Calder, right here in Dewsbury. Perhaps he found silver coins in the water. There are numerous gravesites from this period, probably because the town was already an important gathering place for trading even back then.

1086 Dewsbury appears in the Domesday Survey as within the Hundred of Morley and holding 9 households. The entry states that the land belonged to King William. It had an annual worth of 10 shillings. The land contained 2 ploughable fields and 4 teams of men to work them. It also had a church by then. A church indicates a large enough congregation for a whole parish. The original church was likely the building which preceded the Minster.

Medieval Era

The area was granted a weekly market charter in 1318 by Edward II and although originally in nearby Thornhill it soon moved to Dewsbury. At the time is was one of the biggest in the north and it has (with a few exceptions) been held ever since.

Dewsbury is a minster town. The church built the Minster near the spot where the Bishop preached. There is Saxon writing on the nave. The minster dates to the 13^th century. The town also shows the remains of a 12th-century Cistercian convent.

Dewsbury pops up in the history books due to a plague in 1593. It took another hundred and something years for the town to acquire the sewage systems that would keep those diseases at bay. A further outbreak in 1603 further lessened the population. In those days, you couldn’t just get a doctor’s appointment – proving that nothing has changed over the last several hundred years.

In the 16^th century and just before the beginning of the Industrial revolution, big changes happened in this previously small but successful market town. The mills crept in, bringing great wealth to the locals who knew how to reach for it.

 

Fun Trivia About Dewsbury

Every time we write up a travel guide, we take the time to deliberately dig up the dirt… if we can find any. Everyone loves local gossip. It can give you tips on what to visit and it can let you know about things you ought to avoid. Here is the trivia you should study up on before you head to Dewsbury:

• In one true local legend, gas mains laying infrastructure dug up a hoard of Roman coins. The silver coin stash was underneath a large stone, which the construction workers assumed was worthless. They neglected to inform the local authorities and instead made a game of getting the large crowd of onlookers to help find more. This destroyed the finding site but did leave the locals with a spattering of extremely expensive coins. Local police eventually got word of it and informed archaeologists, who tried to salvage what was left. They went so far as going door-to-door and asking locals to return them. If you live in Dewsbury check your attic for hidden coins. The coins showed up in 1938, aged 2,000+.
• Dewsbury takes its name from whoever Dewi was. At some point, Dewi set up a fort here and the name stuck. Other opinions are that the Old English name of the town is Dew Hill, with Dew referring to the nearby River. We like to imagine there was a hill here back before the houses, and it glittered in the morning dew.
• The aforementioned historians dug out further coins from the dig site, but the council did not stop building the housing estate on top of it. The excavations were around the Thornhill area… If you ever wanted to explore.
• The Minster houses a large bell called Black Tom. The bell rings out once for each year that passes since Christ’s birth every Christmas Eve. Ancient tradition nicknames this process as the ‘Devil’s Knell’. Which just proves that none of us knows where any phrase originates from.
• Dewsbury’s famed market closed from the early 17^th century until the mid-18^th. Outbreaks of plagues in the area forced the town to close it, much like what happened with the recent COVID epidemic). Between the English civil war and the diseases, it was safer to stay closed.
• In January 1981, Peter Sutcliffe, the infamous “Yorkshire Ripper”, was briefly held in the cells at the town hall.

 

The Industrial Revolution

The town grew substantially during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. It became one of the key towns producing Heavy Wool. To this day, parts of the town still own the title of the Heavy Woollen District. The technique and equipment which allowed weavers to create this thick material let them bind virgin wool to some existing fabric. So instead of having one layer of wool, you could have as many layers of wool as you liked.

Remember those old heavy, itchy blankets your grandparents had? There are still a few of them which are heavy wool. The method for creating this fabric came from a Batley weaver. As the mills began to accumulate, Dewsbury gained increasingly good transport links which made the town extremely popular for the mill owners. Soon, most of the town was employed by the mills. You can read more about the Heavy Woollen District and its history on Go Dewsbury.

In 1727 the town gained a Free School named after its founder John Wheelwright. By 1740 the town gained yet another charter, this one to hold the market on a Wednesday as well. In 1746, the town formed a Methodist Society under preacher, John Wesley. Dewsbury Charity School opened in 1750 and the extension of the Calder to make it easier to sail occurred ten years later. In 1767 residents rebuilt the All Saints church.

The 1800s

In the 19^th century, the town of Dewsbury underwent a series of improvements. In 1801 the first census showed a population of 4,566. In those days that was a sizeable town already. 10 years later, the town population increased by 503 people. A new transport link came in 1813 when a new road connected it to Bradford. In 1821, a new road connected Dewsbury and Leeds. With all these new links, the town could become easier to access from the cities, bringing in a fresh wave of market traders. All Saints Church went through a second restoration and enlargement in 1823. St John’s Church opened in 1827.

The town got gas lighting for the first time in 1829. In the 1830s, the local pastor in town was the Bronte sisters’ father. By 1831 the town’s population was 8,272. Double what it was at the start of the century. In 1837 the town built a Cloth and Blanket Hall which opened in April. Dewsbury Poor Law Union established itself in 1861. The following year the town became a municipal borough. Another church – St. Mark’s church – opened in 1865. The first official rugby club opened in 1875 but closed soon after. By 1898, a new team were playing in the Northern Union.

The foundation stone of Dewsbury Town Hall was laid  12 October 1886. Construction was finished three years later.  By 1901 the town’s population had swelled to 28,060 people.

The Modern Age

The covered market began in 1904 and the borough extended in 1910 to include other local settlements. This made the population shoot up to 53 thousand people. By 1912, the rugby team, the Rams, won the Rugby League Challenge Cup. They won it again in 1943. In 1973 they finally won the Rugby League Championship (for the first time).

The marketplace railway station closed in 1930. The town went into recession without the mills and without mines. By 1991 the population fell as low as 49 thousand people. The government abolished the borough in 1974 when it switched to Kirklees.

In 2001, the population was 54 thousand. 6 years later the market won Britain’s Best Market Award.

Modern Dewsbury holds around 60 thousand people and a rich history in cloth making. Between Roman hoards and the best market in the UK, there are some fun things to do here, even if nobody thinks of it as a holiday destination. Whether you live here as a commuter or love the place as a fond childhood memory, Dewsbury has produced some of Britain’s finest over the years.

Famous People from Dewsbury

Dewsbury was famously the place where Betty Boothroyd – Baroness Boothroyd – was born and lived in. Even though she is perhaps one of the better-known Dewsbury residents, the list of celebrities does not end there. Here are the famous people from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire:

• Leigh Bromby is the head of football operations for Huddersfield Town.
• The dude that invented thermometers was from here. Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt (don’t snigger) received his knighthood in 1907.
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire Roger Burnley was born here. You may not know him, but you have probably shopped in the supermarket chain that the ran as CEO from 2017-2022. He received his title from the crown in 2022 for his services to the food supply chain during Covid.
• Josephine Douglas was a woman who lived in Dewsbury back in the early 1900s. She forged a path through the male-dominated TV production industry.
• Reggie Earnshaw, believed to be the youngest person to die in service during WWII, has his grave here, in his home town. He was 14 years, and 121 days old.
• Ending on a darker note, the serial killer known for the Bradford Murders lived in Dewsbury. Out of respect for the families of the recent deaths, we won’t go into it. We mention this case because a journalist linked the killer to the third victim during an investigative TV documentary. This suggestion made police re-examine the evidence from the 2001 murder using better equipment. The police re-tested DNA samples using modern equipment and prosecuted him for the third murder.

It just goes to show that justice catches up in the end. And that Dewsbury has some shining stars and some tarnished ones… just like every other place in the UK.

The Best Attractions in Dewsbury

Did you skip the history parts? It’s not for everyone. However, these top attractions in Dewsbury prove that it was worth skipping. Here are all the fun things you can see and do in Dewsbury so you can plan an itinerary before you show up.

Historic Sites

Obviously, the main historic site in town is the Minster itself. Have a wander around it, take in the old Saxon writing on the stones, enjoy a service or explore the old halls. It is the site of the old All Saints church.

Visitor Attractions & Landmarks

Given its long history, it is not surprising that there are a number of these. Some are even Instagram-worthy for those who like a selfie or two.  We want you to enjoy the thrill of discovery so we won’t list everything, however, here are three that need to be on your list.

The Town Hall

Dewsbury Town Hall is one of the many (and we do mean many) listed buildings in the locale. It is picturesque and thus has appeared in numerous TV dramas. The hall itself includes a 700-seat concert hall & function rooms and is a popular wedding venue.

Sporting Statues

Another must-see is the “Flirting With The Past “statues located by the Railway Arches. These were unveiled in 2005 and are cast in solid iron. Weighing in at around 3.8 tonnes each they are both imposing and evocative with many references on them to the town’s two most enduring traditions Weaving & Rugby.

Dewsbury Bus Museum

Dewsbury Bus Museum is well worth a visit especially if you are a fan of vintage vehicles. The Museum is a registered charity and there are a good number of busses on display many from private collections. Allow a couple of hours of your day to fully enjoy your visit.

Outdoor Attractions

Not far from the ice cream parlour, you might stumble across the Ponderosa Zoo. The zoo holds more than 140 animals so far. There are outdoor play areas and you can dine in. Ponderosa was originally the Ponderosa Rural Therapeutic Centre. The zoo is the brainchild of Maureen Cook, who created it in 1991. The centre aimed to be a place where animals could be a therapeutic treatment for those who are less able-bodied. The zoo is very accessible as a result. Some of the animals here include alpacas, wallabies, and meerkats.

If you fancy a bit of a stroll, then head for Crows Nest Park. This has been a feature of the town since 1893 and includes walled gardens and an impressive ornamental lake. It is also home to the town’s Grade II listed War Memorial. Up until 2016, it housed a museum however, it is no longer open to the public. Hopefully one day it will return. Whatever it makes for a fun day out especially when the sun is shining.

Sports and Teams

Dewsbury is predominantly a Rugby League Town being home to the famed Dewsbury Rams. They have quite a history and although not as successful as they once were taking in a game is still a great experience. They were founded back in 1898 and were English Champions in 1973!

They have also won the RL Challenge Cup twice, most recently in 1943. You can find them at the Crown Flatt Stadium which can hold 5,100 spectators so you should be able to pay at the turnstile if you fancy taking in a game.

Football

The town does have a football team too, be it not as well known.  The Dewsbury Rangers FC. They play in the Yorkshire Amateur League Division Three which is tier 16 on the football pyramid. If you are a lover of grassroots football pay them a visit.

Other Sports

Although Dewsbury doesn’t have a cricket club of its own, there is one nearby in Thornhill. You can also visit Dewsbury District Golf Club if you fancy a round or two.

Where to Eat and Drink in Dewsbury?

Do you fancy Indian food? The preferred favourite is the Shama restaurant in nearby Batley. Do you prefer nice dining on the edge of a small lake? If so, try the Lakeside Restaurant. It serves British cuisine and has a large bar area. If you want a pizza, there is a local Dolce Vita. If you’d like to end the evening with a cocktail, try the West Riding Refreshment Rooms. If you want a pint, head to the Black Bull.

Shopping in Dewsbury

Dewsbury market is so good that they mention it as a local attraction on the Virtual Huddersfield website. It dates all the way back to its first official charter granted in 1318. We say “official” because let’s face it, there had to be a market there, to begin with, otherwise, the authorities wouldn’t have bothered with the charter. It is very much a chicken and egg market. Except you can find other, less poultry-focused items.

The market splits into categories, which is a good way to keep the huge market organised. The Market Hall houses an indoor market which runs from Monday to Saturday, 8.30 am – 4 pm, with a half day on a Tuesday. It is inside the Victorian Market Hall.

The Open Market – which anyone can set up at – runs from 9 am-4.30 pm on Wednesday and Saturday. It has an average of 300 stalls.

From 9 am-3.30 pm on Fridays you can visit the Second-Hand Market, where you can find great prices while recycling old items.

Should you not yet have dropped from shopping, you can head towards Leeds on the bus and visit the White Rose Shopping Centre. You can visit Batley’s Mill Outlet and Garden Centre, or you can stick to Dewsbury and go to the Princess of Wales shopping centre. If you stay here for a fortnight, bring cash.

The Best Attractions in Yorkshire

Don’t come to West Yorkshire and stay in Dewsbury the whole holiday. It’s nice enough, you just might want to travel around a bit, and see some of Yorkshire’s finest. There are tons of cool places in Yorkshire to explore beyond Dewsbury. Here are our favourite bits:

• Visit the Beverley boutiques for a large-town shopping experience outside of the city of Wakefield.
• Go to the beach in Bridlington or Scarborough.
• Investigate the spectacular Ripon
• Head to Huddersfield: the birthplace of the Rugby League.
• You can’t be this close to Leeds without going on a city shopping spree.
• Explore Hebden Bridge, one of the stars of the Calder Valley.

And if you finish all the above and still want more? You can check in with our website and search for more.

How to get to Dewsbury

It would be rubbish of us to big up the place and then not tell you how to get there. Simultaneously our sense of direction is barely above goldfish level. We have given it our best below.

By Road

If you travel up from dern serf you will come straight up the M1 heading for Leeds. When you hit Huddersfield, watch out for signs for Dewsbury. If coming from up north, You can come south out of Leeds on the M62.

By Rail

Dewsbury Train Station is part of the National Rail service and the Trans Pennine Express team manages it.

By Air

The nearest airport is Leeds Bradford, which is about 13 miles away.

By Sea

You are landlocked but also not that far from Hull.

Got Five Minutes?

If you liked reading about chickens and eggs, old markets, and Yorkshire, you should go look at the Five Minute Spare Travel Guides in Yorkshire. We have covered everywhere from Goole to Castleford. Our alternative travel guides aim to be entertaining as well as informative. They are also a great way to explore new areas.

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