Askern

Askern (/ˈæskərn/) is a town and civil parish within the City of Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, England. It is on the A19 road between Doncaster and Selby. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it had a population of 5,570 at the 2011 Census.[1] Askern was also known in for its Greyhound Stadium, which closed in 2022.

Askern
Town and civil parish
Askern Spa Pool
Askern is located in South Yorkshire
Askern
Askern
Location within South Yorkshire
Area1.33 sq mi (3.4 km2)
Population5,570 (2011 census)
• Density4,188/sq mi (1,617/km2)
OS grid referenceSE5513
Civil parish
  • Askern
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townDONCASTER
Postcode districtDN6
Dialling code01302
PoliceSouth Yorkshire
FireSouth Yorkshire
AmbulanceYorkshire
UK Parliament

History

The town's name derives from the Old English askr-ærn meaning 'building made of ash' or 'building surrounded by ash trees'.[2]

The history of Askern can be traced back to the reign of Edward III. The people of Norton complained to the Sheriff of Osgoldcross that the people of Askern had failed to keep part of Askern Pool in a clean state. As a result, the King's highway had been "overflowed and drowned so that neither horse nor foot passengers could use it".

The parish church of St Peter's dates back to 1853.

Coal mining

Then in the early years of the 20th century the quest for coal identified a good seam of coal near Askern. It was decided to access the coal from a mine built above the village, and with the mine came the people to build it. As the mine opened the new houses were built for the workers and their families in the village. This new population was at odds with the well-to-do visitors. As the First World War started, the death knell was sounded for Askern Spa and the spa visitors declined to no more than a few regulars.

Railway

Askern is on the former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway line between Doncaster and Wakefield Kirkgate, though Askern railway station closed in 1947 and little remains of it. The line is used mainly by goods services, including coal to Ferrybridge, Eggbrough and Drax power stations, as well as the four-times daily Grand Central passenger services from Bradford Interchange to London King's Cross.

Bus services

Askern is served by bus service 51 to Doncaster, Carcroft, Skellow and Norton.[3] There are also two school bus services from the town.

See also

References
  1. "Civil Parish population 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  2. "Key to English Place-names". kepn.nottingham.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  3. "51 - Doncaster - Norton". bustimes.org. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
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