The name Sharlston derives from the
Old English Scearfstūn meaning 'Scearf's settlement'. The 'f' developed into an 'l' through misassociation with the name
Charles. The village of Old Sharlston has existed for over seven hundred years, with the oldest known record indicating that Sharlston Old Hall was built in 1574. In the early 18th century, the village was acquired by the
Earl of Westmorland. Sharlston's
listed buildings and structures are grouped around
Grade II* Sharlston Hall, a
manor house of 15th century origin with later additions, and include the hall's entrance gateway. Until April 1929 Sharlston formed part of the Warmfield parish, but is now managed by its own parish council.
Pit village A
pit or
model village of more than 150
back-to-back houses was built at
New Sharlston from 1864 to house Sharlston Colliery Company workers. The houses cost just over £100 each and the streets were named Long Row, Crossley Street and High Street. A Methodist chapel and a day school were built on Crossley Street. The properties became the property of the
National Coal Board in 1947. In 1961 twenty eight back-to-back houses were converted into 14 through houses. The school and the chapel have been demolished. New Sharlston has witnessed rapid decline since the
1984-85 miners' strike which hit Sharlston and its surrounding villages hard. ==Development==