About Normanton in West Yorkshire

Normanton is a town in West Yorkshire, England. It is situated on the River Aire and the A1 road, and has a population of 21,591. The town is twinned with the French town of Saint-Denis.

Normanton has a long history dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was listed as a small village called Normanston. The name Normanton is thought to come from the Old English for "north farmstead", in reference to its position on the River Aire.

The town grew rapidly in the 19th century as a result of the Industrial Revolution, and became a major coal-mining town. The coal mines brought wealth to the town, and it was soon home to a number of large collieries. However, the coal industry declined in the 20th century, and Normanton's last coal mine closed in 1986.

Since the closure of the coal mines, Normanton has undergone regeneration, and is now home to a number of businesses and amenities. The town centre has been redeveloped, and there are now a number of shops, restaurants and cafes. Normanton is also home to a number of parks and green spaces, including Wakefield Council's flagship Normanton Park.