A Concise Tourist Guide for Huddersfield
The town of Huddersfield lies among hills, moorland and 300
million year old river valleys carved out by ancient tropical river deltas and
glaciers. The steep green uplands skirting it to the South continue further
on to become the Peak District while the coal rich land to the East tilts gently
away towards the sea. Much of the land around Huddersfield rises to between
200 and 400m above mean sea level and the hills around the Holme Valley to the
South and West of Huddersfield are among the prettiest to be seen in England.
Huddersfield is situated equidistantly between the cities of Manchester to
the West, Leeds to the North and Sheffield to the South and is easily accessible
from the M62 or the M1 motorways making it a great strategic stopover. However,
the town and surrounding area has much to recommend it and is well worth a few
days exploration.
History
Huddersfield gets a mention in the Domesday book (Oderesfelt).
Before the Norman invasion it was a small Saxon market town and the area is
thought to have been continuously settled for at least 4,000 years. One place
to view the full story of Huddersfield’s evolution from the neolithic
to the modern past is at the Tolson Museum just
outside the town centre.
At Almondbury, a mile to the South East of the town are situated
the remains of one of England’s most important Iron Age settlements, sharing
a hill with the town’s most recognisable landmark, the Victoria
Tower at Castle Hill - built to mark the late queen’s 60th year of
ascendency. The hill is an important historical focus for Huddersfield. The
Saxons had a royal court in Almondbury and in the reign of King Stephen a castle
was built there (hence Castle Hill) but this was demolished in the 14th century.
The hill has the status of Scheduled Ancient Monument and from its summit can
be gained fine views of the surrounding countryside.
Architecture
Huddersfield is famous for both the number and quality of
its listed buildings and has some truly outstanding examples of Georgian and
Victorian architecture. Its railway façade
has been described by architectural historian Nicolas Pevsner as ‘the
best neoclassical station façade in Europe’. At Horbury, some 9
miles outside Huddersfield lies the 18th century church of St
Peter and St Leonard – recognised as being the finest Georgian church
in West Yorkshire.
Even some of the town’s more modern and controversial buildings have
their fans: Adrian Evans, Architect and lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University
believes the modern Market Hall, built in the late 1960’s, to be at least
as significant architecturally as the station. Be warned though, others have
called it plain, shabby and unexciting.
Industrial Heritage
The industrial revolution initiated Huddersfield’s
transformation into a textile powerhouse, and that Georgian and Victorian legacy
is still very evident today in the buildings, canals and old workings that make
the town such a valuable historical resource. The
Colne Valley Museum in Golcar, just outside Huddersfield is worth a visit
to get a flavour of what life was like in the early Victorian, industrial heartlands
of Northern Britain.
One industrial heritage must-see during your stay in Huddersfield
is the 18/19th century Standedge canal
tunnel near Marsden, some 7 miles outside the town centre. This tunnel,
completed by Thomas Telford in 1811, is the highest (645 feet above sea level),
deepest (638 feet under the surface) and longest (three and a quarter miles)
canal tunnel in the country. It took 16 years to build, claiming many lives
in the process. There is a full visitor centre there and from April to October
you can experience the tunnel for yourself in a glass topped boat. The tunnel
was reopened in 2001 after 50 years of neglect.
At Overton, some 7 miles outside Huddersfield, you can visit
the National Coal Mining Museum, built
around the former Caphouse Colliery which closed in 1985 and was superbly restored
with heritage funding. There you can descend 450 feet into a real mine or discover
the restored mining buildings, and the museum proper. The National Coal Mining
museum will give you a real insight into Britain’s recent industrial heritage
and the working lives of those who mined for coal here.
The Holme Valley
Some 6 miles South of the centre lies Holmfirth,
the picturesque heart of the Holme Valley and stunning backdrop to the much
loved television series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’. The BBC still
films the series around the town and tour buses running out of Holmfirth can
take you on an intimate journey around some of the best known locations from
the series.
From Holmfirth and surrounding villages you can walk out onto the Moors or
traverse the many trails that criss cross the area. Huddersfield is a veritable
Mecca for walkers.
Country Parks and Houses
For those who prefer the relaxation offered by country parks
and houses, the area around Huddersfield has an abundance. Try the 16th century
Oakwell Hall and its 100 acre country park at
Birstall, some 8 miles outside the town and a favourite haunt of Charlotte Bronte;
or Longley Old Hall near
the town centre, an architectural treasure trove of 14th century origins and
later Elizabethan addtions.
How about another of Charlotte Bronte’s favourite places
– the Red House at Gomersal,
some 7 miles from Huddersfield; or the ancient Shibden
Hall and its 90 acre park near Halifax built in the early 15th century and
featuring rooms furnished from the 17th to 19th centuries. Other places guaranteed
to excite you are the Georgian Cannon
Hall & Country Park at Cawthorne featuring fantastic 18th century walled
gardens, a museum and a wonderful farm where you are free to feed the many animals;
and the Yorkshire Sculpture
Park and visitor centre in West Bretton with 500 acres of lush parkland
featuring figures by Henry Moore, Anthony Gormley and others.
Nights Out
For nights out in Huddersfield, how about the modern Lawrence
Batley Theatre in Queens Square or the Cragrats Theatre in Holmfirth. Near the
home of Huddersfield football and rugby teams, the Galpharm Stadium, you can
find a multiplex cinema and ten pin bowling alley.
If clubbing is your scene then check out the many great clubs in Huddersfield
including the Camel Club, Tokyo, Livingstones and Billie Rox.
Dining Out
There are many places to go for a fine dining experience
in Huddersfield and the surrounding area. Try the contemporary Vanilla V1 Restaurant
in Lindley or the CragRats Brasserie in Holmfirth. Book in advance for a treat
at the Three Acres at Roydhouse near Shelley or try the wonderful Olive Branch
in Marsden. How about the award winning Weavers Shed in Golcar? For great Yorkshire
food you might also visit the Woodman Inn at Thunderbridge. However, don’t
stop there, in Huddersfield town there are many other restaurants and bars to
choose from. Those mentioned are just some of the best.
Whatever you decide to do in Huddersfield you’ll be glad you came.
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