Recent Pretty Places posts have taken a look at towns, perfect for day trips, and this post is no different. From history and architectural appreciation to a wealth of independent shops and al fresco cafes, a Halifax day trip has plenty to interest anybody. Here is a quick tour of spots to check out, if you’re looking for some day trip-inspiration:
Located in West Yorkshire, Halifax is a ‘minster town’, meaning it benefits from an Anglican minster, in this case Halifax Minster, a 15th century church which only had its title bestowed in 2009. As English towns go, Halifax is one of the younger ones, with a recorded history dating back to only the 12th century. In the 16th century the town became well known for its use of the Halifax Gibbert, an early form of Guillotine. The use of guillotine was a practice not ordinarily used in medieval England, with the axe or sword the preferred mode of execution for petty criminals, thus making Halifax particularly unique. It was Oliver Cromwell who ended the use of the gibbert, and today a replica of the machine stands in the very spot that the original stood all those centuries ago.
Halifax found its feet in the 19th century, during the industrial revolution, when the town became wealthy through cotton and wool industries. Mills sprung up across the town, some of which can be seen today, usually converted into offices or other uses. In the centre of this industry came the Piece Hall, a two-to-three storey square building built in 1779 with a large court in the centre where textiles were traded between hundreds of merchants and customers. Over time, trading ebbed away and businesses left the hall, with Halifax Council considering bulldozing the centre. A £17 million restoration took place and reopened the establishment in 2017. Today Piece Hall is a popular attraction for its rows of independent shops and cafes, which operate out of the former trading-rooms that line the courtyard, the centre expanse is often the site for mini-festivals, up-market food carts, bands and children’s entertainment, making it the perfect spot for a socially-distanced day-trip.
Other attractions include the numerous shopping destinations across the town, the People’s Park – a large, grade II-listed public park including statues, a pavilion and gardens, the Calderdale Industrial Museum, which explores the town’s history as a commercial hub, and Wainhouse Tower, a viewing platform providing panoramic views of the town and the wider surrounding countryside. For many children across the region, Halifax is best known for Eurika, an entertaining and educational children’s museum for 0-11 year olds, the largest of its kind in the UK. Nearby attractions include Shibden Hall, a 15th-century estate, and Ogden Water Country Park, a nature reserve with trails and a large central lake.
Nearby Pretty Places include Hebden Bridge and Haworth, home to the Bronte Sisters. Halifax is served by a train station and the M62. Find out more about the town and the surrounding area at the tourist information website here. You can view other Pretty Places by using the ‘Pretty Places‘ tag.
images: scene therapy