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Built in 1886, Elm Grove is a row
of 4-storey terraced houses. It was designed as an "Upstairs, Downstairs" house,
with the servants working and relaxing in the three lower (cellar) rooms, and
living in the three top-floor rooms. The owners, typically middle class
solicitors, accountants or managers, were accommodated on the two middle floors.
The new railway line through
Burley then served, as it still does, both Leeds and Bradford, allowing
residents to work in the big city whilst actually living in rural bliss, for
this was the age of steam, with large mills and factories pumping out great
clouds of soot-filled smoke. The steam engines added to the atmosphere
(literally and metaphorically), belching their way from the newly created
commuter areas through to all parts of Yorkshire, and to London, of course.
The steam trains have gone, but the station still serves Leeds and Bradford,
giving excellent connections to London's Kings Cross. The service to Ilkley is
very popular with commuters, shoppers, tourists and hikers alike, although the
trains are now electric. Everyone savours the fresh, clean air blowing off the
moors and whilst waiting on the platforms can listen to the song birds sitting
in the high branches of the surrounding trees.
Elm Grove is literally a couple of minutes stroll from the station, and a leisurely 10
minute walk from the centre of Burley.