Martins Moments in the Media

A warm and friendly welcome is always on hand when you enter the Abbey mine host is
Martin Lockett.

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Smoking Ban Interview
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Smallest Village Interview
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Little is know about the early origins of the Inn, but it is thought to have been an 18th century farmhouse. We do know however that it was an inn in 1826 when the innkeeper was Joseph Myers.

In 1899 it was in the hands of Whitaker Brothers, who owned the dye works next door. They are reputed to have purchased it to control the drinking of their workforce. Later the sold it to the Bradford Dyers Association. In 1948 it was bought by Richard Whitaker and sons Brewers and then by Whitbread who sold it to Enterprise Inns who still own it.

The Inn is in an isolated and picturesque setting between the river Aire and The Leeds to Liverpool Canal. In the summer it is a popular place for walkers to stop of for food and liquid refreshment.

The Inn is said to get its name from Kirkstall Abbey and local legend has it that a tunnel links the building to the Abbey further down the valley.

In the past the Inn was used as a mortuary and customers had to pass the coffins on the way to the toilets. This perhaps explains the fact that many people believe the Inn to be Haunted.