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History of Seacroft Village

Overview
Photographs (lost buildings)
Photographs (surviving buildings)
Residents Reminiscence
Questions
Leeds Photographic Archive

Overview

Seacroft Village is of ancient foundation. It is listed in the Domesday Book and has the oldest remaining village green in England but, in fact, has a much older history. The Venerable Bede records the battle of Winwaed between King Oswy's forces and the, unsuccessful, invading Mercians under King Penda. Bede gives this as taking place near Seacroft on the 15th November 655AD. The name (originally Saecroft) is of Saxon origin - sae meaning pool or lake and croft meaning enclosure or farm.

After the Norman invasion, Seacroft (as part of the parish of Whitkirk) was granted to Gilbert de Laci and it remained in the de Laci family until 1602, when James 1st granted it to George Shiletto whence it passed into the ownership of his wife and then to her second husband Sir Ralph Hansby. He sold it to James Nelthorpe of Windsor in 1656.

In 1643 a battle between Royalists for Charles I and a group of Roundheads under Sir Thomas Fairfax, who were en-route from Tadcaster to Leeds, took place at Seacroft. Fairfax was obliged to retreat across Bramham moor.

St James's Church was built in 1845 and the Wilson family, contemporary owners of Seacroft Hall, were major contributors to the cost.

Seacroft Hall itself was thought to have been built by the Shilettos in about 1605. By the 19th century, the Manor of Seacroft was in the hands of the Wilson family. Darcy Bruce Wilson (1851 to 1936) was the the last owner of Seacroft Hall, which became derelict after his death. Though a listed building, it was demolished in 1954 and a High School now occupies its site. All that remains now of the Hall is the Lodge (gatehouse) on York Road, recently used as part of a Council depot but now derelict. The illustration is a photograph of the Hall, taken about 1880, showing the lake which was latterly called the Fish Pond before being drained in the 1950's.

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Photographs (lost buildings)

Building or Feature Archive
Photo 1 Archive
Photo 2

The first National School, Seacroft. The building dates from 1840 and was closed in 1950, when the school moved to the Grange. Photo 1 is a view of Town Street (now York Road) with the School on the left.

The Vicarage to St James's Church was built in 1847 and demolished in the 1960's. Its replacement is on the site of the old National School.

Pigeon Cote Farm was established in the 14th century and demolished in 1954.

The Wheelwright's Shop survived into the 1950's.

Windmill Farm, known as Betty Barker's Farm was based on the old Seacroft windmill. The farm was demolished in 1964 but the shell of the windmill was incorporated into the new Windmill Hotel.

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Photographs (surviving buildings and features)

Building or Feature Archive
Photo Current
Photo
The Bruce Darcy Wilson Seacroft Institute, opposite St James' Church, was built in 1933 and is now used as the Village Hall.

The Cricketers' Arms, built early 19th century.
This is a listed building.

The Grange, originally known as Tottie Hall. Built 1627 as the residence of the Tottie family and now being remodelled as a restaurant.
This is a listed building.

Seacroft Hall Gatehouse, or Lodge, on Town Street (York Road) still stands as part of the Highway Department Depot now up for sale.

The George V Memorial Garden is on Town Street (York Road) adjacent to the Village Hall.

This house on Town Street (York Road), now two cottages, is thought to be the oldest surviving in the Village.
This is a listed building.

St James Church was built 1845, prior to which the Parish Church was St Mary's Whitkirk. The building was designed by Thomas Hellyer of Ryde on the Isle of Wight in the Early English Style. There is a north-western tower, 94ft high, with a ring of five bells (recast from the original three in 1984) and a clock. The Churchyard has a variety of ornately carved gravestones.
This is a listed building.

The Methodist Church is the oldest church in Seacroft and was built in 1751.

The original Lion and Lamb public house survives as the Old Lamb Guest House, while a new Lion and Lamb has been built next door.
This is a listed building.

The 18th century Rising Sun public house is now divided as two private houses and its stable buildings survive as outhouses behind the adjacent terrace of 19th century estate workers' cottages.

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Residents' Reminiscence

Memories of Seacroft as a Village 1926 to 1947 - Alan Noble

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Questions You Might Help With

Have a look at this list of questions and see if you can provide any answers.

If you can, use the Talk to Us button and let us know.

You can also tell us if you have any questions of your own about Village history and we can post them on this list and see if anyone can help with information.

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Building or Feature	Archive Photo	Current Photo
The Bruce Darcy Wilson Seacroft Institute, opposite St James' Church, was built in 1933 and is now used as the Village Hall.
The Cricketers' Arms, built early 19th century. This is a listed building.
The Grange, originally known as Tottie Hall. Built 1627 as the residence of the Tottie family and now being remodelled as a restaurant. This is a listed building.
Seacroft Hall Gatehouse, or Lodge, on Town Street (York Road) still stands as part of the Highway Department Depot now up for sale.
The George V Memorial Garden is on Town Street (York Road) adjacent to the Village Hall.
This house on Town Street (York Road), now two cottages, is thought to be the oldest surviving in the Village. This is a listed building.
St James Church was built 1845, prior to which the Parish Church was St Mary's Whitkirk. The building was designed by Thomas Hellyer of Ryde on the Isle of Wight in the Early English Style. There is a north-western tower, 94ft high, with a ring of five bells (recast from the original three in 1984) and a clock. The Churchyard has a variety of ornately carved gravestones. This is a listed building.
The Methodist Church is the oldest church in Seacroft and was built in 1751.
The original Lion and Lamb public house survives as the Old Lamb Guest House, while a new Lion and Lamb has been built next door. This is a listed building.
The 18th century Rising Sun public house is now divided as two private houses and its stable buildings survive as outhouses behind the adjacent terrace of 19th century estate workers' cottages.

Building or Feature	Archive Photo 1	Archive Photo 2
The first National School, Seacroft. The building dates from 1840 and was closed in 1950, when the school moved to the Grange. Photo 1 is a view of Town Street (now York Road) with the School on the left.
The Vicarage to St James's Church was built in 1847 and demolished in the 1960's. Its replacement is on the site of the old National School.
Pigeon Cote Farm was established in the 14th century and demolished in 1954.
The Wheelwright's Shop survived into the 1950's.
Windmill Farm, known as Betty Barker's Farm was based on the old Seacroft windmill. The farm was demolished in 1964 but the shell of the windmill was incorporated into the new Windmill Hotel.