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Elsecar | |
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![]() Holy Trinity Parish Church in Elsecar | |
Location within South Yorkshire | |
Population | 2,500 (2001) |
OS grid reference | SE389001 |
• London | 145 mi (233 km) S |
Metropolitan borough | |
Metropolitan county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | BARNSLEY |
Postcode district | S74 |
Dialling code | 01226 |
Police | South Yorkshire |
Fire | South Yorkshire |
Ambulance | Yorkshire |
UK Parliament | |
Elsecar (/ˈɛlsɪkɑːr/ , locally /ˈɛlsɪkər/) is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley in South Yorkshire, England. It is near to Jump and Wentworth, it is also 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Hoyland, 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Barnsley and 8 miles (13 km) north-east of Sheffield. Elsecar falls within the Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Ward of Hoyland Milton.
Elsecar is unique as a name. It is thought to derive from the Old English personal name of Aelfsige (mentioned in Cartulary of Nostell Priory, 1259–66) and the Old Norse word kjarr, denoting a marsh or brushwood.[1]
From the late 18th century, Elsecar was transformed into an 'industrial estate village' for nearby Wentworth Woodhouse, with multiple collieries and two major ironworks.[2] It is seen as one of the UK's first model villages and a precursor to Saltaire.[3]
A 1795 Newcomen steam engine at the Elsecar New Colliery is the oldest steam engine still in situ, anywhere in the world.[4]
The village now attracts over 500,000 visitors each year, to its heritage centre, historic sites and award-winning park.[according to whom?]