Title: Huddersfield - A Concise Tourist Guide Word Count: 1153 Summary: 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 Huddersfiel... Keywords: huddersfield,huddersfield tourist guide,huddersfield history,huddersfield architecture Article Body: 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 Doomsday 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 ascendancy. 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.