Boston Spa - Definition and Overview

Boston Spa is a town in the county of West Yorkshire, England, two miles south of Wetherby, on the banks of the River Wharfe.

In 1744, John Shires established Boston as a spa town when he discovered magnesian, limestone and sulfur springs. In those days it was known as Thorp Spa. It declined when Harrogate became very popular as a spa town.

It is the home of the Northern Reading Room, Northern Listening Service and Document Supply Collection of the British Library.

See also

• Boston, Lincolnshire