Whitwell Place

Whitwell Place is at this moment being threatened by demolition. On one side of the building is a fire extinguisher manufacturer and on the other side are open fields which are soon to become a large traffic roundabout underneath the new Elland by-pass.

The present building was erected in 1708, probably on the site of a muach older building. This seems to be proved due to the barn which is attached to this building being of a much older date. On one of the walls of Whitwell Place is a sundial with an inscription over it, which reads "Time flies - be ready". The building itself is very typical of the 17th and 18th century style.

The name Whitwell is a modern derivativation of the ancient name Whittel which means White hill. The first inhabitants of Whitwell place were named Whittel, and lived there for several generations.

The yard outside the building is flagged and one of the stones has the following inscription carved in it:

    D.

T. W. C.

  1719

The Whittels' were a highly respected family in the area and married into other influential families. The Whittel Place Estates remained in the hands of the Whittel family until 1683 when they were purchased by Robert Ramsden.

Robert Whittel was fined £10 for not attending the Coronation of Charles I to receive the honour of knighthood. William Whittel, who was described as a tenent of Robert Whittel, was fined 4d for building a small oven near New Hall, which was in the possession of the Saviles. The Saviles were at this time Lords of the Manor of Elland. The above Robert Whittle was, in 1609, charged with digging up two ash trees which were growing as part of a fence.

In the first half of the 18th century the house came into the possession of the Radcliffes, one of whom was Charles Radcliffe, son of the Rector of Aston and Dinnington. Charles Radcliffe's son, William, died having never married and hence no heir. The estates passed into the Ramsden family in the early 19th century, possessed by John Ramsden Esq, who died in 1842.

In the latter part of the 19th century the estate was owned by a Mr. Waddington who apparently owned New Hall. This information came from a note found at New Hall during renovation in 1950.

Whitwell Place at the moment is in a dilapidated state, but is of historical interest and could be renovated and put to some use.