Clayton West was originally in the Parish of High Hoyland, and the Wapentake of Staincross which more or less corresponds with today's Barnsley Borough Area.

The Industrial Revolution had brought a migration of the population to the Dearne Valley where abundant water was available for manufacturers,[2] so people lived away from the church.

Both Clayton West and Scissett had grown so rapidly that there were people still alive in 1873 that could remember the expansion.

Although the parish of Scissett had been created in 1839, yet Clayton West remained as a part of High Hoyland.

The Clayton West village coal mine (pit), "Park Mill", closed in 1989, having been somewhat bypassed by the events of the UK miners strike (1984–85).

[4] Records from the 13th century indicate that monks from Byland Abbey mined and smelted iron ore.

Clayton West was occasionally used as a location for Britain's longest running comedy series Last of the Summer Wine, in which one of the village's former pubs, "The Shoulder of Mutton" in Church Lane, features prominently.

The Lord in 1086, following the conquest, was listed as Ilbert de Lacy (1045–1093) and is attributed as the builder of Pontefract Castle, who is also noted as the Tenant-in-Chief in 1086.

The de Lacy family took part in the Norman Conquest of Briton and there is evidence that Ilbert fought at William's side at Hastings.

Listed as Clayton, West, the village featured in "A Topographical Dictionary of England" which was published by Samuel Lewis, London, 1848.

Mining was listed as the predominant industry, along with the production of silk and worsted goods for clothing.

Listed as Clayton (West), in John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870–72).

Clayton West is described as a township of the High Hoyland parish with hamlets of Cuttlehurst, Parkmill, Topitt and Spring-Grove.

Further information of the progressing village is delineated in Kelly's 1881 Directory of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

The manufacture of fancy woollens, as well as twine and flax spinning seems to be the prevalent industry of the village.

It also has a Scout Group which offers access to a number of outdoor activities including archery, target shooting, kayaking and much more.

In 2007 severe flooding of the river Dearne affected some 420 properties in Clayton West and Skelmanthorpe.

The valley floor also has a high density of residential properties making these areas more prone to flooding.