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Today we have one of the largest villages in Yorkshire. Surprisingly it doesn’t have town status, which is really strange given how much it has. With a population of well over 4,000 people, you might think that this ranks as one of Leeds’ largest parishes. In fact it only comes in at the 12th largest within the city! After a little trek through the housing estates we come to a former turnpike road, and it’s where most of the village amenities and other interesting things are. The A659 turnpike was built to connect Tadcaster to Otley in 1753. A vitally important route, Joseph Taite built a house to accommodate visitors along the turnpike that became the Royal Hotel, which is still standing Our route passes the site of the Spa Baths – the very landmark which gives this place part of its name. The Bath house contained two baths, one hot and one cold. There was also a tea room. The building was eventually sold at auction in 1911 as it’s popularity as a spa town declined. Spa towns were certainly
