West Yorkshire

Discovering Prehistory on Ilkley Moor

Hebden Bridge Mill

Bridge Gate, Corner of St Georges Square, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 8ET
Tel: 01422 844160    Fax: 01422 842382
Web: www.calderdale.gov.uk

Originally the manorial cornmill, a water-powered mill has stood on this site since 1314. The current building, built on medieval foundations, dates from the early 18th century, and has been restored for shopping, eating out and craft workshops. The working waterwheel has been re-built and can be seen inside Innovation Cafe together with the mill sluices on the cafe's riverside terrace.

Heirloom Carriages

9 Windsor Drive, Norristhorpe, Liversedge, West Yorkshire, WF15 7RA
Tel: 01924 235120    Fax: 01924 235120
E-mail: info@heirloomcarriagedriving.co.uk
Web: www.heirloomcarriagedriving.co.uk

Take a trip into the past using horse and cart transport from bygone years. Harness up and drive out in the beautiful countryside and drink in breathtaking views. Heirloom Carriages provide a range of activities including a one or five day carriage-driving course. Non-horsey people are kept entertained with walks on waymarked routes on the Kirklees Way, train rides to York, shopping and bike rides. There really is something for everyone.

Manor Heath Park and Jungle Experience

Manor Heath Road, Savile Park, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 0EB
Tel: 01422 365631    Fax:  01422 365631
Web: www.calderdale.gov.uk

Jungle Experience - Tropical plants, terrapins and butterflies. Park with children's play area. Flower beds, walled demonstration garden and organic allotment.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG
Tel: 01924 832631
Web: www.ysp.co.uk

Yorkshire Sculpture park is set in the grounds of the Bretton Estate Wakefield which was designed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The park is 500 acres ranging from wooded areas to open spaces providing a landscape for modern and contemporary sculptures by artist's from around the world.

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Colne Valley Circular Walk

Starting from the Colne Valley Museum, Golcar, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
E-mail: cvs_society@yahoo.co.uk
Web: www.colne-valley.clara.net

The Colne Valley Circular Walk is a delightful 12-mile walk which explores the countryside and character of this valley that has been shaped by the textile industry, canals and other historic routes across the Pennines. The route starts from the Colne Valley Museum in Golcar, makes its way through Linthwaite and along the south side of the valley to Marsden. Climbing out of Marsden it returns to Golcar along the North of the valley. A guidebook is available from Tourist Information Centres.

Holme Valley Circular Walk

Starting from Berry Brow, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire:

The Holme Valley Circular Walk takes in a wide variety of scenery from quiet villages and rolling fields to wooded valleys. There are panoramic views from the many vantage points along the route, including historic Castle Hill with views over Huddersfield and the surrounding countryside. The full route totals 24-miles, but divides into 13 short sections. A guidebook is available from Tourist Information Centres.

The Brontë Way

Starting from Oakwell Hall, Gomersal, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
Web: www.bronte-country.com

The Brontë Way gets you on the trail of the famous sisters. This literary themed route links Kirklees' Brontë connections at Oakwell Hall and Red House before continuing to other sites associated with the famous sisters in Calderdale. The 40-mile route continues on to Haworth and ends at Gawthorpe Hall near Burnley.

The Kirklees Way

Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Web: www.saddleworth-canal-cruises.co.uk

The 72-mile Kirklees Way encircles the entire district providing a challenging route through the full range of scenery that this part of Pennine Yorkshire has to offer. If that's all a bit too much, the route splits easily into 12 more manageable day trips. A guide to the route is available from Tourist Information Centres.

Brighouse Canal Basin

Brighouse, West Yorkshire
Web: www.calderdale.gov.uk

In the 18th century, this small textile village was transformed into a canal port; with the creation of the Calder & Hebble Navigation (part river, part canal). The Navigation was built, between 1758 and 1770, by John Smeaton, the famous engineer who built the Eddystone Lighthouse. Much canal traffic passed through here, right across the Pennines, from the port of Liverpool and all the way to Hull. The canal basin has been restored, with Prince Charles unveiling a plaque to commemorate a new canalside walk in 1991. The canal towpath at Brighouse is an excellent place to join the Calderdale Way.

Hardcastle Crags (NT)

Hollin Hall Office, Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7AP
Tel: 01422 844518    Fax: 01422 841026
E-mail: hardcastlecrags@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Wooded valley with deep rocky ravines and tumbling streams, waymarked trails, discovery walks and events. Orienteering course available (bookable in advance). Riverside walks beside Hebden Water take you through varied deciduous woodland and past a 19thC cotton mill - Gibson Mill.

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PONDEROSA RURAL THERAPEUTIC CENTRE

Off Smithies Lane, Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, WF16 0PL
Tel: 01924 235276    Fax: 01924 235276
E-mail: ponderosa.farm@btinternet.com
Web: www.ponderosa-centre.org

Situated in 20 acres of picturesque countryside where you can relax in the farm surroundings. Take a stroll through the wildlife walks, watch the hive of activities in the air or on the ground, or see the unique range of rare breeds.

Butterfly Conservation Centre

Near Bagshaw Museum, Wilton Park, Batley, WF17 0AS
Tel: 01924 326264
E-mail: mick.wilby@kirklees.gov.uk

The centre houses a rich assortment of native butterflies many of which are close to disappearing in the wild.

National Trust Marsden Moor Estate

The Old Goods Yard, Station Road, Marsden, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 6DH
Tel: 01484 847016    Fax: 01484 847071
E-mail: marsdenmoor@nationaltrust.org.uk
Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The estate, covering nearly 2,429ha (5,685 acres) of unenclosed common moorland and almost surrounding the village of Marsden, takes in the northern part of the Peak District National Park, with valleys, reservoirs, peaks and crags, as well as archaeological remains dating from pre-Roman times to the great engineering structures of the canal and railway ages. The landscape supports large numbers of classic moorland birds such as the golden plover, red grouse, curlew and diminutive twite. The estate is a designated SSSI and forms part of an international Special Area of Conservation. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has been restored and a Visitor Centre (not NT) is open at Tunnel End, Marsden, with car parking adjacent to the Estate Office. An exhibition area is housed in what was previously the estate workshop.

People's Park

Park Road, Off Hopwood Lane, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2TS
Tel: 01422 359454
E-mail: parks@calderdale.gov.uk
Web: www.calderdale.gov.uk

The park was opened in 1857 and is one of the finest surviving examples of the work of 19th century landscape designer Sir Joseph Paxton. The park was given to the town by wealthy industrialist Sir Francis Crossley. The park is enjoying a complete restoration. So far the water features and statues have been restored and new features will include a children's playground, toilets and information centre.

Shibden Park

Godley Lane, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6XG
Tel: 01422 382897
E-mail: deborah.comyn-platt@calderdale.gov.uk
Web: www.calderdale.gov.uk

Halifax's most popular park covering an area of around 30 Hectares. Facilities available include: a boating lake, miniature railway, pitch & putt, children's play area (and paddling pool during 6 week school hols), orienteering course, sports pitch, and woodland walks. (Note: some facilities may be seasonal/chargeable). There are a number of special events, particularly in Summer, with entertainment being provided each Sunday afternoon throughout the school summer holidays. Car Parking is available.