The History of Bingley St Ives Golf Club - The Estate

The History of Bingley St. Ives

To view information relating to the history Bingley St. Ives Estate and Golf Club please use the links below.

History of The Estate

Bingley St. Ives Golf Course was originally opened in 1931 as a 9-hole layout situated within the St. Ives Estate, the historic home of the Ferrand family who purchased the estate in 1635 and later bequeathed the estate to the town of Bingley for use as parkland by the community.

Prior to the Ferrands' ownership the estate had already had a long history of use which has been indicated by a large number of items found in sections of the estate dating back to the Neolithic Bronze Age. From the 12th century until the dissolution of monasteries in 1540 the main area of the estate was part of properties which belonged to the Monks of Rievaulx which had been given to them by Adam de Birkin between 1165 and 1185. In addition some of the land which falls within the modern estate was owned by the Monks of Drax.

Monastic ownership of the estate lasted up to the dissolution in 1540 at which time it passed to Walter Paslew of East Riddlesden. During the following two centuries, prior to its acquisition by the Ferrands, land in the area is known to have been owned by two families - the Laycocks and the Milners who have strong links to the history of both the local area and town.

It is understood that the mansion, built in 1616, which stands in the grounds of St. Ives was used by General Fairfax as a base during the civil war. A table found within the mansion was inscribed: "This table was at Harden Hall when the troops under General Fairfax were encamped at Harden Moor MDCXLII".

It is thought that troops of General Fairfax were entrenched in what has become known as ‘Fairfax Entrenchment’ which runs close to the now 14th hole of the golf course and there are compelling stories to suggest that as many as 200 of the troops died and are buried on the estate.