The Lord Nelson Inn: A Historic Gem in Luddenden

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Luddenden, West Yorkshire, the Lord Nelson Inn is more than just a pub—it's a living piece of history. Situated on High Street, it's the village's last remaining pub, making it a beloved gathering spot for locals and a well-regarded destination for visitors.

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A Pub with a Past

The building's story begins long before it became a public house. Constructed in 1634 as a home for local landowner Gregory Patchett, it was originally called Newhouse. By the mid-1700s, it had been converted into a pub, first known as the White Swan. Its current name, the Lord Nelson, was adopted in 1805 in honor of the British naval hero following the Battle of Trafalgar, and it has kept that name ever since.

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More Than Just a Public House

The Lord Nelson Inn has a storied past that goes beyond serving drinks. From 1776 to 1917, it housed the Luddenden Library. One of its most famous patrons was Branwell Brontë, the brother of the celebrated Brontë sisters, who was often seen at the pub during his time working at the nearby Luddendenfoot Railway Station. The inn has also served as a stand-in for the local St. Mary's Church for various functions, further cementing its role as a central hub of the community.

With its rich history and cosy atmosphere, the Lord Nelson Inn is a must-visit for anyone exploring the charming countryside of West Yorkshire. Have you ever visited a pub with such a fascinating history?

The 2 pictures below are all that remains of a set of 6 I took around the pub, they were taken on the 13th October 2013 with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet. Clicking on them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green photography store on Zazzle,

I took this from the garden - seating area at the junction of Old Lane and High Street.

I took this picture from the churchyard of St Mary's, the high building directly behind the Lord Nelson used to be the village school known as St Mary's Old School, it was closed in 1993 and is now a private residence.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Luddenden Village in Art Images

Luddenden's story is inextricably linked to the Luddenden Brook, which flows through its very heart. First referenced in 1274 in connection with a humble corn mill, the village's identity began to shift over the following centuries. The rushing waters of the brook were harnessed to power a growing number of textile mills, transforming Luddenden from an agrarian settlement into a hub of industry. This history is etched into the very stones of the village, a constant reminder of its industrial past.

For centuries, Old Lane was the main artery connecting Luddenden to the wider world, a busy thoroughfare for travellers heading to and from Halifax. However, progress altered the village's trajectory. In the mid-18th century, a new turnpike road was built just half a mile to the south, diverting traffic and commerce. This new route led to the rise of Luddenden Foot, a separate village that grew up around the modern transportation link, leaving Luddenden to settle into a quieter, more residential existence.

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Echoes of the Past, Lingering Stories

Walking through Luddenden is like stepping back in time, with each landmark holding a piece of a larger narrative. The War Memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the combined communities of Luddenden and Midgley, a poignant reminder of their shared sacrifices. The towering presence of St. Mary's Church has watched over the village for generations, a spiritual and architectural centrepiece.

Perhaps one of the most intriguing connections to a bygone era lies within the walls of the Lord Nelson Inn. This historic pub was a regular haunt of Bramwell Brontë, the talented, yet troubled, brother of the famed literary sisters. His time spent working on the nearby railway led him to find solace and company at the inn, a detail that adds a fascinating, human touch to the village's lore.

Tragically, like many small villages, Luddenden has seen changes that have diminished its commercial life. Since the 1980s, the small shops and businesses that once served as the village's communal hubs have closed, leaving behind a collection of houses. While the village remains a beautiful place to live, it is a living example of a community that has evolved from a bustling centre of industry and commerce into a quiet, residential enclave, its history preserved in its stone buildings and timeless landscapes.

The images below were originally photo's that I have added various photoshop filters to create artworks. Clicking anyone of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The pictures below feature in the video above.

Old Lane was once part of the main packhorse route towards
Halifax, the M62 motorway of it's day until replaced by the turnpike
in the mid 18th century.

St Mary's Church.

The Luddenden Brook, this once helped to power of a dozen mills
for the textiles and corn (Flour) industries.

In the basement of the former St Mary's School, there were 3 holding cells,
although one has long since been removed. The 2 remaining have the townships
of Midgley and Warley inscribed in the lintel. The nearby Luddenden Brook
was the boundary between the 2, the removed cell is said to have had
Luddenden inscribed above it, no evidence remains. The cells were built
along with the school in 1825 and are not thought to have held occupants
since the 19th century.

The steps disused since the late 80's early 90's once provided
access to the offices of a mill that once occupied the site. Much
of the mill was demolished and replaced by housing.

Luddenden Brook and High Street Bridge.

Luddenden & Midgley War Memorial, unviled 1923.

Lord Nelson Inn from the churchyard of St Mary's.

High Street, Luddenden, the building towards the bottom was
the offices for the steps pictured earlier.

Inside St Mary's Church.

Luddenden Brook.

A closed off stone doorway alongside Luddenden Brook.

A memorial wheel to represent the ones that the corn mill that
once occupied the valley would have used.

Former Water Horse Trough at the bottom of Stocks Lane.

This cobbled yard is actually a bridge over Luddenden Brook, providing
access from High Street to High Street Court.

Lord Nelson Inn.

St Mary's Church clock tower.

Luddenden brook flows over the weir viewed from the churchyard
of St Mary's.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.