Adel, Leeds
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Adel is a wealthy area north of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated between Cookridge, Holt Park, Weetwood and Alwoodley. To the north are the villages of Arthington and Bramhope and the market town of Otley.
[edit] History
Adel is situated near the site of a Roman fort, the ancient road from Tadcaster to Ilkley passing nearby. (The footpath by the side of Long Causeway was said to be made from the original Roman stones, until they were removed by the council in the 1960s because they were too worn to be safe.)
The Roman name for the area was Burgodunum. It is probable that a Saxon village sprang up around the fort and that a church would have been built within the village.
In 1152 the nearby Cistercian abbey at Kirkstall was founded. At the same time, the church of St John the Baptist was built in Adel to replace the older Saxon building. The church has an ornate carved doorway and a low level lepers window and is one of the best examples of unaltered Norman architecture in Britain.
[edit] Adel Today
Adel is a mainly residential area of Leeds, but it also has St John The Baptist Primary School and Adel Primary School.
Close to Adel Church is York Gate, an old farmhouse with a beautifully landscaped garden and a pavement maze in the driveway. The gardens are open to the public on regular occasions.
Also close to the church is the Adel Memorial Hall and the associated sports ground - home to the Bowman of Adel, who hosted the Scorton Arrow in 1962, 1967 and 1970.
Adel is home to Headingley Golf club, the oldest golf club in Leeds.
Just to the west is the Leeds University sports grounds and Bodington Hall, their largest hall of residence.
From Adel, the number 28 or the number one bus takes you to Leeds city centre.
[edit] Trivia
The famous doorknocker of Adel Church is a replica. The original was stolen in recent years. The stones from the graveyard have also been stolen on occasion, which is why these days all the church's paving stones are engraved with crosses.
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