Godfrey Maps For Bentley and Arksey
Anyone interested in local history will appreciate how useful old maps are. They are a wonderful window into the past and so interesting to explore.
This spring I was delighted to be asked by The Godfrey Edition of Old Ordnance Survey Maps to write two introductory essays for their latest additions to their vast collection - Bentley 1929 and Arksey & Bentley Colliery 1929.
The maps are available from 30th June and can be purchased online (see the links at the end).
The Maps
Bentley 1929
The Bentley map is split over two sides of the sheet; the main map includes the eastern side of Bentley, the lower half of New Village, Moat Hills, fields, railways, and also includes part of the river Don and Wheatley Hall.
Flip the map over and there is a smaller map on the reverse showing the western side of Bentley including, Bentley Park, Cooke Street, West End, railways, and fields over towards what would become Scawthorpe.
This side of the map also includes my lengthy introduction. Here I give some context and history to the places visible on the map - a condensed version of my content on this blog if you like.
Above is a sample of the introduction.
Arksey & Bentley Colliery 1929
Due to the way the maps have been divided up, part of Bentley is also included on the Arksey map. The whole of the village of Arksey, north of the level crossing can be seen, alongside the main East Coast Railway line, the hamlet of Stockbridge, and surrounding fields. The left hand side of the map shows the whole of Bentley Colliery and the northern end of New Village.
The reverse side has my introduction, but it also includes an extract from the Great Northern Railway timetable of 1910-11, and an extract from Kelly's Directory of the West Riding 1889.
These maps really are packed with interesting information and well worth the £3.75 each cost.
Where to Buy
The maps are available to purchase from the 30th of June 2026. Priced very reasonably at £3.75, you can buy them online direct from The Godfrey Edition, follow the links below -
Arksey & Bentley Colliery 1929
There are many more maps in the Godfrey Edition collection covering the whole of the British Isles, Germany and also available are D-Day maps. There are many covering the wider Doncaster area too. Follow the link to access the full collection -
Godfrey Maps
Alison Vainlo June 2026
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| Alison Vainlo 2026 |
