Pictures of Halifax
About Halifax
Two fine buildings show the connection between the past and present of Halifax. One is the opulent gleaming glass modern office block belonging to the Halifax Building Society, founded here in 1853 and the other is the Piece Hall which was initially built during the heady days of the "wool trade" and rebuilt in the 1770's. The Piece Hall, thus called because weavers took their pieces or lengths of cloth, to the hall to be sold, is the only surviving manufacturers hall in England, it is clearly identifiable from its domed roof topped with a dramatic weathervane in the shape of a sheep.
Halifax is an industrial city close to the famous Pennines and the route of the Pennine Way in what is known as Yorkshire's "Bronte" country. For such a built-up city, Halifax retains a surprising number of old historic buildings, these range from humble weavers cottages to the grandeur of the Piece Hall and the 15th century parish church dedicated to St.John. The church is a beautiful Perpendicular building which incorporates the remains of an earlier Norman church.
Although Halifax has no real association with the Bronte's, it has links through two nearby villages, these are Ludden Foot where Branwell Bronte was station master for a time, and Southowram, where Emily Bronte worked as a tutor at Law Hill House. It is believed that whilst here, in the sparse countryside, she gained her inspiration for her novel Wuthering Heights.
Of interest is Bankfield Museum, this houses a fine collection of textiles, Wainhouse's Tower - this is considered to be the best folly in the country, it was built by John Wainhouse (1817-1883) and Shibden Hall, a fascinating timber-frame building which houses a folk museum.
Halifax has all the usual large stores, plenty of pubs, lively markets, a wide choice of hotels both in the centre and the lovely surrounding countryside which is well worth exploring, especially the picturesque villages along the Pennine Way.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Halifax
| Eureka! Museum for Children | (0.6 miles, 0.9 km) | Pictures |
| Shibden Hall | (0.8 miles, 1.3 km) | Pictures |
| Shibden Valley | (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Kirklees Priory | (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Robin Hood's Grave | (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| National Museum of Photography, Film & Television | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Bradford Cathedral | (6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Hardcastle Crags & Gibson Mill | (7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Dewsbury Museum | (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| East Riddlesden Hall | (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Cliffe Castle Museum | (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Marsden Moor Estate | (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| National Coal Mining Museum | (11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Hollingworth Lake Country Park | (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Kirkstall Abbey | (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
All attractions in HalifaxAll attractions in West YorkshireComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Halifax
Sowerby Bridge, in the county of West Yorkshire (2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction SW)
Surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the South Pennines, with the town's gentle scenery being enhanced by the River Calder and the River Ryburn on which the town stands.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Golcar, in the county of West Yorkshire (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction S)
Sturdily built of stone, this small hill town is perched north of the River Colne and the now restored Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Huddersfield, in the county of West Yorkshire (6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction SE)
Huddersfield is a lively and interesting town that offers a rich cultural experience.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hebden Bridge, in the county of West Yorkshire (6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction W)
This beautiful old town grew up close to the River Hebden at the point where a stone bridge was built as part of a pack-horse route in the 16th century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mirfield, in the county of West Yorkshire (7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction SE)
Mirfield is a residential town situated between Huddersfield and Dewsbury. It has a long history, and associations with Robin...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Harden, in the county of West Yorkshire (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction N)
Harden lies in the famous countryside area between Cullingworth and Bingley surrounded by rivers and meadows. It is a favoured commuter base for those working in nearby Bradford.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Haworth, in the county of West Yorkshire (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW)
Haworth is famous the world over for its connections with the Bronte sisters, the famous novelists.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Saltaire, in the county of West Yorkshire (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction N)
This perfectly preserved village originated as an answer to Bradford's 'dark satanic mills', it was the brain-child of...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Almondbury, in the county of West Yorkshire (8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction SE)
Almondbury is one of the oldest and prettiest of the villages dominating the edge of the Pennine moors.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Marsden, in the county of West Yorkshire (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction S)
Marsden offers visitors a wealth of heritage, particularly in association with the town's expansion which came about during the heady days of the Industrial Revolution.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Todmorden, in the county of West Yorkshire (9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction W)
Todmorden lies on the historic border between Yorkshire and Lancashire in an area of the Calder Valley ringed by the hills of the Pennines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Keighley, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction N)
This is an industrial town in West Yorkshire. It lies in a fold between the fine countryside of Airdale and Keighley Moors.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Deanhouse, in the county of West Yorkshire (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Holmfirth, in the county of West Yorkshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction S)
This is a place that will forever be associated with the gentle, romantic comedy "Last of the Summer Wine" which has graced our TV screens for more than a quarter of a century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Leeds, in the county of West Yorkshire (13.6 miles, 22.0 km, direction E)
In the middle ages Leeds was a wool centre and it flourished. The sheep on the Yorkshire moors providing the wool for the cottage...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in West YorkshireComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Halifax Station | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| Sowerby Bridge Station | (2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction SW) |
| M62 Junction 24 | (3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction S) |
| M62 Junction 23 | (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction S) |
| Leeds Bradford International Airport | (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction NE) |
| Sheffield City Airport | (30.2 miles, 48.6 km, direction SE) |
| Halifax to London | (169.8 miles, 273.2 km, direction SE) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Halifax
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Halifax center |
| The Imperial Crown Hotel | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| Tower House Hotel | (1.5 miles, 2.5 km, direction SW) |
| Holdsworth House Hotel | (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction N) |
| The Hobbit Country Inn | (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SW) |
| The Rock Inn Hotel | (3.6 miles, 5.7 km, direction S) |
| Waterfront Lodge | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction SE) |
| Cedar Court Hotel Huddersfield & Halifax | (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S) |
| Best Western Guide Post Hotel | (4.3 miles, 7.0 km, direction NE) |
| The Briar Court Hotel | (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction S) |
| Holiday Inn Leeds Brighouse | (4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction SE) |
| All hotels in Halifax |
