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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Harrogate

in the county of North Yorkshire

Pictures of Halifax

in the county of West Yorkshire

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Halifax

Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing Festival Weekend

Sowerby Bridge (11 Pictures) in the county of West Yorkshire

(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction SW of Halifax)

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...

St George's Square, Huddersfield, from the station car park.

Huddersfield (98 Pictures) in the county of West Yorkshire

(6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction SE of Halifax)

Huddersfield is a lively and interesting town that offers a rich cultural experience...

Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

Hebden Bridge (43 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of West Yorkshire

(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction W of Halifax)

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...

Harden Waterfall, Harden, West Yorkshire

Harden (4 Pictures) in the county of West Yorkshire

(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction N of Halifax)

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...

Haworth at Christmas

Haworth (227 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of West Yorkshire

(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction NW of Halifax)

Haworth is famous the world over for its connections with the Bronte sisters, the famous novelists...

All towns & villages in West Yorkshire
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Nearby attractions..

Eureka Science Museum  - Yorkshire - 1996

Eureka! Museum for Children (3 Pictures)

(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)

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Kirklees Priory Gatehouse, West Yorkshire

Kirklees Priory (2 Pictures)

(5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SE)

Home of the wicked Prioress who bled the unsuspecting Robin Hood to death. All that remains today is the Priory Gatehouse and.....

Robin Hoods Grave, Kirklees Priory, West Yorkshire

Robin Hood's Grave (4 Pictures)

(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction SE)

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National Museum of Photography, Film and TV. Bradford.

National Museum of Photography, Film & Television (3 Pictures)

(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction NE)

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Bradford Cathedral, West Yorkshire

Bradford Cathedral (3 Pictures)

(6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction NE)

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Gibson Mill in Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge, West Yorks.

Hardcastle Crags & Gibson Mill (6 Pictures)

(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction W)

Beautiful wooded valley with 19th-century Gibson Mill at its heart, an exemplar of sustainable energy. This is the flagship.....

Dewsbury Museum in Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Dewsbury Museum (1 Pictures)

(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction E)

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