Historic Settle
Nestled at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, Settle is a historic market town whose story stretches back more than a thousand years. Surrounded by the dramatic landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, the town has developed from a small rural settlement into a thriving centre for trade, industry and tourism.
Settle’s name is thought to have Anglian origins, dating from around the seventh century, and meaning “settlement”. By the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086, the area was already inhabited, although the Norman Harrying of the North had left much of the surrounding countryside devastated.
A major turning point came in 1249, when Henry de Percy obtained a market charter from King Henry III, allowing a market to be held each Tuesday. This established Settle as an important local trading centre, with houses, shops and workshops gradually developing around the Market Place.
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Settle prospered. Many of the attractive stone buildings seen today date from this period. Improved roads also brought greater opportunities. The Keighley and Kendal turnpike opened in 1753, making it easier for goods and people to travel through the town.
Industry became increasingly important during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Cotton spinning flourished, with several mills operating in and around Settle. By 1835, five mills employed more than 300 people, making textiles a major source of local employment.
The arrival of the railway transformed Settle once again. The railway reached nearby Giggleswick in 1847, while the famous Settle–Carlisle Railway opened to goods traffic in 1875 and passengers in 1876.
Today, Settle remains a vibrant historic market town. Its seventeenth- and eighteenth-century buildings, traditional Market Place and railway heritage provide reminders of its past, while its position beside the Yorkshire Dales makes it a popular destination for walkers, visitors and residents alike. The Folly Museum and the historic walking tour of Settle provide a further insight into the local history. There is so much to explore and learn in Settle and the surrounding areas. So if you’re a history buff or just interested fancy learning more about Settle’s rich history get booked in at Langcliffe Park and enjoy a few days in our fabulous area.
