Huddersfield

A UK Canal Boating Article

Category : Places

 

Huddersfield is near the confluence of the River Colne and the River Holme in the county of Yorkshire. During the Industrial Revolution Huddersfield built an enviable reputation based on a first class textiles industry and its fine woollen worsteds are still sent to customers all over the world.

Huddersfield Canal - The restored canal was officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Charles on 3rd September 2001. At nearly three and a half miles long the longest, deepest, and highest canal tunnel in the country is based on the Huddersfield Canal. The Standedge Tunnel burrows 194 metres (638 feet) underneath the Pennines and took 16 years to build. At the Visitor Centre discover the history of the tunnel and the canal restoration.

Dewsbury Museum - Learn how things have changed in the lives of children over the last century. In the 'Growing Up in Dewsbury' exhibition you can gaze through the windows of a 1940s classroom or take a trip back to war-torn Britain. The toy gallery is full of information about toys past and present. Discover why certain toys are collector's items and see how many you can recognise from your childhood years.

Castle Hill and Victoria Tower - Standing over 900 feet above sea level Castle Hill dominates the local landscape and provides spectacular views. The history of the hill goes back over 4000 years and the site was originally developed as an Iron Age hill fort. The present tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee of 1897.

Tolson Museum - Located in a Victorian mansion house the collections include everything from local history to Roman Britain and from dolls and toys to transportation. Tolson takes you through the history of Huddersfield from the tools of the earliest settlers to the boom in the textile industry.

Kirkless Light Railway - Travel on one of the four steam engines along the 15" narrow-gauge rail through the stunning South Pennine foothills. Kids will love the play area where they can spend as long as they like playing on the big engine, the wagons and on the two-storey fort. Dine in the cafe where a large carpeted space is set aside with an area where the children can play with Thomas and his friends. With prices to suit pocket money the shop sells a wide range of Hornby and Thomas and Friends products.

Last of the Summer Wine Exhibition - Back in the early 1970s the sleepy Pennine town of Holmfirth became world famous when we were introduced to Compo, Norman Clegg and Foggy. Walk up the famous steps and then through a rather familiar looking door into Compo's home.

The main display is a real treasure trove of Summer Wine memories. Watch video featuring famous clips from the series and view the incredible range of photographs and information capturing many of your favourite characters. Delicious home-baked food and speciality cakes are served at The Wrinkled Stocking Tea Room, named after those famous stockings worn by Nora Batty.

Whether you are looking for the season latest collection, music or books you will find it all under one roof at the Kingsgate Centre. Nestling in the town's Victorian Quarter the Market is partly housed beneath a magnificently restored Victorian cast iron glass roof canopy.

The market is full of well-stocked stalls with everything you need. Restaurants in Huddersfield offer a wide range of choice and for real ale fans many of the pubs in Huddersfield offer award-winning brews.

 

 

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Canals

Huddersfield Broad
Huddersfield Narrow

 

Rivers

n/a

 

 

Places to Visit

Huddersfield