Ferrybridge

Ferrybridge is a village in West Yorkshire, England at a historically important crossing of the River Aire which borders the North Yorkshire village of Brotherton. It is linked to other communities by the A1, which follows the route of the Great North Road.

Geography and geology

Geologically, Ferrybridge and Knottingley are located on rich soil, over a bed of magnesian limestone.

The area is close to junctions of the M62 and A1(M) motorways; as well as junctions on the rail network, including northward to York, south to Pontefract (and Rotherham), west to both Wakefield and Leeds, east to Goole and south-east to the ECML; the River Aire meets the Aire and Calder navigation close to the east of Ferrybridge.

Ferrybridge Power Station to the north dominates the skyline around the village.

The village

The village has two pubs "The Golden Lion" which sits by Ferrybridge lock and is steeped in colourful history during its time as a coaching Inn and "The Magnet Inn".

The village has two primary schools one of which is in the top 250 schools in the country, The Vale Academy was described as "outstanding" in a 2013 Ofsted report.

History

An archaeological feature at Ferrybridge is Ferrybridge Henge, a prehistoric ceremonial monument dating back to the Neolithic period, constructed during the period 4,500-1,500 BC, additionally a 2,400-year-old chariot burial has been discovered in the area.