A Foot Tour of Heath, West Yorkshire

The village of Heath, a Conservation Area, is mainly comprised of houses built in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. From the 1600s, one family of woolstaplers, the Smyths, became the dominant landowners in the village. They were unsuccessful in their attempt to enclose the common in the 1840s, and the village has retained its 'open' character ever since.

Heath lies to the South East of Wakefield in the parish of Warmfield and stands at its centre approximately 49 meters above sea level. It has a collection of approximately fifty houses ranging from simple cottages to stately homes dating back to sixteenth century .

The village has stood the test of time well with its occupants looking after the fabric of the village so that it can be enjoyed for future generations and visitors to enjoy its unspoilt charm.

The map opposite shows its relevant position to Wakefield and is courtesy of Ordnance Survey.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

The village is designated as a conservation area and holds a varied collection of houses some of which hold listed building status. It is situated within 131 acres of Common land and has numerous features which attract thousands of visitors each year, the main one being the unspoilt common which on a summer’s day attracts families to come and play with their children in a safe environment away from speeding traffic. 
It is the location for Heath Common Fair held each Easter, an annual Kite flying Fair also takes place, as it’s open spaces with no overhead power lines make it ideal for this activity.
The village and it’s surrounding area is an haven for wildlife and numerous walks start from the car park near to Common Top, with other walks passing through the village such as The Trans Pennine Trail. 

(image courtesy of Trans Pennine Trail Group)

Other areas of interest which are easily accessible are a Pinfold (an enclosed area which historically held stray cattle) just South of the car park, a Whittling Well ( a structure which incorporates a natural fresh water spring) to the South West of the car park and across the road, Dame Mary Bolles Water Tower ( a structure which again incorporates a natural spring and was used to gravity feed water to the now ruined Heath Old Hall) this lies to the North West from the car park and along with a village pond situated near to the A655 Black Road offer a variety of interesting features which are free and accessible. 

The Pinfold
An historic feature which has been renovated by the members of Heath Residents Association (HRA). A pinfold has been in the village since it’s early days, tended by a ‘Pinder’ who would seize stray animals not bearing the mark of his employer, The Lord of the Manor. The Pinder would enclose the stray livestock within the Pinfold until it was claimed and a fee paid for the animals release.

A drawing of the Heath Pinfold by the late Mr Stanley Morley.

“ I remember well the Pinfold being in use, its foundations until recently still being identifiable at the southern end of the car park. This was a circular pen without a roof built on the hillside and formed a pit from the higher level of about seven feet deep with a door on the lower side of the hill at ground level. The last Pinder was a Mr Walker whose job it was to lock up unauthorised animals grazing on the common, the major culprits usually being Gypsy travellers” A description of the Pinfold at Heath taken from the Book ‘THE TIME OF OUR LIVES IN HEATH’ Published by Heath Residents Association. 2000 AD.

The Whittling Well

A Georgian structure comprising of a stone arch flanked by stone piers. This was built to be a watering point for animals and also to serve as a pumping station for fresh water. 
The ground around the well still gets boggy in wet weather but in times of exceptionally wet weather you can find the reservoir to the front full of water. This acts as an haven for small animals, birds and amphibians and is in need of restoration to retain its splendour.

Lady Bolles Water Tower

A Grade II Listed water tower restored approximately twenty five years ago (1980) this feature of the common served two purposes to my knowledge. Built on top of an emerging spring, the water was pumped to a reservoir in the upper part of the tower and was used to supply a near by iron works and to gravity feed water to Heath Old Hall. Sadly the restoration only encompassed the roof and brickwork, the interior is empty except for a couple of oak beams crossing the structure which would have supported floors. But you can still see the spring which emerges from the floor and seeps underground for a few meters before it appears outside the tower and runs to the nearby River Calder.

The King's Arms Public House

The Kings Arms dates from the 17th Century and is owned by the local Clarks Brewery. The pub has a restaurant which seats about fifty people, and in the bar side serves sandwiches and light snacks which can be washed down by guest beers and is a real ale house. (recommendable)
The pub has an olde world interior and is still illuminated by authentic gas mantles which sets an ambient atmosphere to enjoy a drink by. 

Heath School

The first building on the left as you enter the village from Wakefield, this building is now two dwellings and dates back to 1873 when it was built at a cost of £773.6.1. quite a contrast to today’s values. The School house still retains its triangular playing area which is fenced and hedged. It was the second school in Heath after the Old Grammar School (see picture below) which pre-dates the above by approximately 200yrs and is situated to the North East, across the common behind the Kings Arms Public House. 

Heath Old Grammar School

Last but not least is Cobblers Hall, a Mid-Georgian building which was used for a short period as a finishing school for grooming young gentlemen who were looking to the Army and Navy for a career. 
It has had numerous uses throughout its life and most recently it was the Post Office in Heath until its closure in the early 1960’s when it reverted back to being dwellings. Signs of its previous life are still evident with the familiar red post and telephone boxes situated outside which are still used on a daily basis.

Upon reaching the crossroad at the top of the hill in Heath you are then in front of the stone bus stop built by the residents to replace an old wooden one. 
Behind the bus stop lies the Blacksmiths House and to its left the Joiners Shop and old Smithy were historically the Blacksmith would have laboured prior to returning to his house next door.

The White Cottage

Situated behind the Joiners Shop and Cobblers Hall is reputably one of the oldest houses within the village and the last one in the Wakefield area to have had a thatched roof. It also boasts to being one of the most haunted if local rumours are to be believed.

Holly Cottages

Walking further up into the village you will come across Holly Cottages on your left. Dating from 1730 these cottages enjoy one of the finer views within the village with a panoramic view looking across the Village green/cricket field, From Heath House on your left then directly over to the present Heath Hall and Dower House and to the Cobblers Hall on your right.

Heath Old Hall Entrance Gates

Walking further along the road in front of Holly Cottages the road veers to the left through two magnificent stone pillars topped by what looks like a cross between a pineapple and an acorn.
This was the entrance to Heath Old Hall and outbuildings, the Hall has long since vanished with limited remains incorporated into the two dwellings which now stands in its place. Heath Hall was a 17th century mansion built by George Ramsden. Extensions were done for John Smyth by John Carr (Carr of York) between 1754-1780. 

It was last owned by Ingram Fuller Godfrey, sold to Halifax Corporation in 1889 and demolished in 1890 for the construction of Heath Road and the Heath estate. During the demolition, parts of a tombstone, inscribed: "Here lyeth the body of Hannah, the daughter of John Elam of Halifaxe, who died the 7 of the first month 1594" were found in a chimney flue. Other objects were also found: a razor dated 1691; coins of 1776 and 1793. 

This postcard shows Heath Old Hall in it’s former glory.

The accompanying out-buildings of Old Heath Hall and barns have also been converted over the years to a quaint little courtyard area.

Remains of Heath Old Hall & new house. Converted outbuildings. 

More converted buildings making up the courtyard area.

As you stroll out of the courtyard you have already passed the newer built properties that make up this area, these are less than thirty years old but have been built in sympathy with the older buildings nearby. You continue to walk back out of the courtyard and as you pass through the entrance gates you see the Priest's House on your left which dates back to the mid 17th Century and was used by the Nuns who once lived at Heath Hall as a Guest residence for visitors.

Priest's House

Next door stands Ivy Cottage

A modest cottage which no doubt serviced the much grander Heath House which stands magnificently to its immediate right.

Heath House

A magnificent house situated at the top end of the village green overlooking the common towards Cobblers Hall. The house has been extensively changed since it was first built with its first major improvements commencing in the mid 1700’s. It now has listed Building status and the present owners have improved on the property both internally and externally restoring it to its former glory.

Heath View

Walking past Heath House you approach Heath View, a bungalow and perhaps one of the more unusual buildings taking into account the make up of the rest of the village with at least two storeys houses being the norm.

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