Horse-Ford
The history of Horsforth dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. Several coins, dated 895AD - 905AD, were discovered across Yorkshire that originated from ‘Orsna Forda’, which is old English for ‘Horsna-ford’. In the Domesday Book of 1086, Horsforth was listed as ‘Horseford’. The connection between ‘Horse’ and ‘Ford’, refers to the transportation of woollen goods over the River Aire - at a place where a horse can cross!
In 1246, the settlement was first referenced as it is referred to today: ‘Horsforth’. Whilst it may be surprising now, by the end of the nineteenth century, Horsforth was the village with the largest population in England, until it was declared as a town in 1999! The horse is a key symbol in Horsforth and many schools and local sports teams in feature a horse on their crest
The Horsforth Horse commemorates the horse-related origins of the town and the significance the symbol plays in the local history and culture.
Rupert Till
The sculptor, Rupert Till, who is originally from Yorkshire, produced the sculpture for this year’s Cheltenham Festival, but the horse has now found its permanent home in Horsforth. You can see more of Rupert’s work here: Rupert Till Website
About Us - Tudor Freight
We are Tudor International Freight. Established on New Road Side in Horsforth back in 1991, we are a logistics company who are experts in road, air and sea freight. Just as goods were historically transported across the River Aire, we transport goods to most major cities, towns and suburbs across all 6 continents. We go over and above to ensure that our client’s products, goods and cargo are transported around the world safely and successfully. We are a family business, who are still based in Horsforth today and passionate about the local culture; which is why we are sponsors of the Horsforth Horse.
From Olympians to film stars, Horsforth is the birthplace of a vast variety of talent. Revealing the Horsforth Horse is the triathlon superstar Jonny Brownlee! Check out the pictures below.