Boston is first noted in the 18th century – originally in the township of Clifford in the parish of Bramham. The
Spa was added to the name at the time of the penny post in 1840. It is believed
that the original Spa waters came to light around 1740 following which the waters
“became an important part of medical treatment in the 18th century.”
A key feature of the area is the River Wharfe which runs for the length of the
village and onwards to Tadcaster. There are pleasant walks - with numerous access
points - along the river bank from the weir at the top end of the village and
continuing under the single track bridge linking Boston Spa with Thorp Arch. There
are many other attractive walks round the villages of Clifford and Bramham; also
Thorp Arch village and in the vicinity of Wetherby and the adjacent racecourse.
Nearby attractions include Bramham Park, Harewood House, Lotherton Hall and Gardens,
Selby Abbey, the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds plus the major tourist attractions
in York – Castle Museum, Cliffords Tower, the Minster, the National Rail Museum
and the Jorvik Viking Centre. In the other direction are the tourist centres of
Harrogate and Knaresborough. This is an area with an abundance of arts and craft
shops, gardens, racecourses and - inevitably – retail outlets including the MacArthur
Glen Designer Outlet on the outskirts of York.
