Farnley, Leeds
Farnley is a district in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, about two miles west of the city centre. It sits between Wortley, Bramley and the countryside near Pudsey and Gildersome, in the LS12 area. Farnley is part of the Farnley and Wortley ward, which had about 24,213 people in 2011. Nearby is New Farnley, a separate commuter village.
Origins and early history
The name Farnley first appears in the Domesday Book as Fernelei. It comes from Old English words meaning a fern-clearing in open land. Farnley began as Old Farnley, a small agricultural village. In 1086 it was part of the King’s land, with Ilbert de Lacy as the tenant-in-chief. The village grew around Cross Lane, near Farnley Hall and Farnley Manor.
In the 17th century Farnley Wood was a meeting point for a failed rebellion known as the Farnley Wood Plot in 1663. The plot led to severe punishments for many participants.
Local government and growth
In the 19th and early 20th centuries Farnley’s local government changed several times. It became its own civil parish in 1866, and in 1904 the parish was abolished to form Armley and Bramley. By 1901 the parish population was about 4,351.
Industrial growth and New Farnley
During the Industrial Revolution mills and factories developed in the area, including Butterbowl Mill and mills around Post Hill, providing work for many residents.
In the 19th century a new area grew near Farnley called New Farnley. It began when Edward Armitage started the Farnley Iron Works and Farnley Fireclay, which created jobs and housing for workers. This led to two areas: Old Farnley (the original village around Hall Lane and Cross Lane) and New Farnley (around Low Moor Side and Bawn). The two areas together became known as New Farnley, while the Hall Lane and Cross Lane area remained known as Old Farnley.
Landmarks and daily life
Old Farnley has St Wilfrid’s Church. In Farnley Park you can find St Michael’s Church. Shops in the old village include a hair salon, a newsagent and a small grocery shop. In the Bawn area there are a pizza takeaway, a newsagent, a mini-mart, a butcher and Cow Close Community Corner.
The area has several primary schools, including Cobden Primary, Lawns Park Primary, and The Farnley Academy. Old Farnley is linked to local bus routes; it is the western end point for First Leeds buses 15 and 42.
New Farnley today
New Farnley sits about 3.5 miles west of Leeds city centre, on the A58 road. It is located around Upper Moor Side and New Farnley Village, which still have buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The land was once part of Farnley manor, owned by families such as the Harringtons, Nevilles, Brudenells, Danbys and Armitages. There are hints of Roman activity in the area, including a field named “Castle Hill” and some Saxon and medieval features. Industry expanded the area in the 18th and 19th centuries, but farming remains nearby.
Key local places include St James’s Church and the Lancasterian School, along with 19th-century alms houses and a village school. Today New Farnley has a village co-op with a post office, Craven’s Fish and Chip Shop (longstanding and said to be haunted), a pub, a barber, a beauty salon, Cobden and Lawns Park Primary Schools, The Farnley Academy, and two churches. The central community centre is run by local residents and hosts events and activities.
Sport and notable people
Farnley has a strong sports scene. The Farnley Falcons rugby league club play in the Pennine League and run a reserve side, with home games at the Farnley Sports & Social Club, known locally as “The Nest.” Farnley Sports FC competes in the Yorkshire Amateur League. Other teams, including West Leeds Wortley, also use the facilities. New Farnley has its own ladies’ football team in the West Riding Women’s League.
Notable people connected with Farnley include Kalvin Phillips, a footballer who plays for Manchester City, and rugby player Michael McIlorum of the Catalans Dragons. Former Leeds United and Republic of Ireland player Gary Kelly and comedian Leigh Francis have lived in Farnley. Medieval landowner Margaret de Neville was born in Farnley.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 20:43 (CET).