Altofts

Altofts is not mentioned in the domesday book and there is no mention of where the village gets it’s name from. We do know however that it was the home of Sir Martin Frobisher the famous sea adventurer who was born in 1535.

Frobisher went on three main voyages the first to Canada trying to discover new parts of the world in Canada there is actually a bay named after called the Frobisher bay in honour of the time he spent there. He was knighted as recognition for his assistance in the battle of the Spanish Armada and was killed in 1588 by a gunshot wound.

John Freeston also lived at Altofts and as we know he is most famous and remembered today for founding the local high school in Normanton today known as Freeston Business and Enterprise college.

Altofts up until 1974 was famous for having the longest row of terraced houses in the whole of Europe which was called Silkstone Row and demolished in that year.

The first official council was formed in 1872 together with Normanton and during the industrial boom most of the men of Altofts were employed at the coal mines. Altofts is not far away from Normanton and accesable by walk which takes only 5 minute from centre of Normanton.