The large Pennine town of Halifax, with a population of more than 82,000, sits to the west of bigger neighbours Bradford and Huddersfield with which it has historic rivalries, and to the east of the gems of the Calder Valley Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. There are several explanations for the town’s name, the most romantic being that John the Baptist’s head was somehow brought there for burial – Holy Face being corrupted into Halifax. The saint’s head appears on Halifax’s coat of arms. A more likely tale is that it is a corruption of ‘hall’ and ‘flax’, older mentions of the settlement giving the spelling Haliflax. Halifax was a cloth town for centuries, even before the industrial revolution, benefiting from wool from sheep grazed nearby, and its proximity to the Calder for power and transportation. Perhaps the most famous building in the town is Piece Hall, opened in 1779 to replace previous buildings with the same function, a place to sell pieces of cloth made by hand-weavers. As well as woollen cloth the town was a major centre for carpet production. The town was reputed to be exceptionally harsh on thieves, and it developed the forerunner of the guillotine, the Halifax Gibbet, last used in 1650, a replica of which can be seen in the town centre today. These days the town is better known for what was the Halifax Building Society, and Piece Hall has become a retail centre and market. It was also where the Mackintosh confectionery empire was started, though this was sold to Rowntrees in the 60s, and both were swallowed by Nestlé in 1988. Visitors aplenty come to the excellent Eureka! children’s museum, and the town is known for its choral society, formed in 1817 so predating its great rival in Huddersfield. Others come to the Shay, home of the town’s rugby league and football clubs, and to the Dean Clough theatre and gallery, once a worsted spinning-mill. Sadly most will pass the Town Hall without realising its architect was Charles Barry, who also designed the Houses of Parliament. Halifax has given many famous people to the world. On the plus side can be listed Frank Worthington, who should have played 100 times for England and didn’t; Johns Kettley and Noakes of TV fame; Percy Shaw the inventor of the cat’s eyes that have saved untold thousands of drivers; and wrestler Bid Daddy. On the very negative side it also produced the murderer Christie, but any town that gave birth to Rolos and the great Frank Worthington can be forgiven the odd blemish.
Attraction
Bankfield Museum
Dean Clough Galleries
Duke of Wellington's Regimental Museum
Eureka! The National Children's Museum
North Dean Woods
Ogden Water Country Park
Piece Hall
Piece Hall Art Gallery
Shibden Hall
Budget
Premier Inn Halifax South *book online*
Travelodge Halifax *book online*
Camping
Jerusalem Farm Camp Site
Rough Hey Wood Campsite
Care Home
Claremount House Care Home
Pellon Care Centre
Sandholme Fold
Trinity Fold
Classes
Dance - Annette's (The Wright School of Dance)
Yoga Mill
Club
Jumpin JaksThe Acapulco
Council
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
Dentist
BSA Dental Clinic
Dental Practice
Dental Surgery
The Dental Surgery
Doctor
Estate Agent
Boococks Solicitors & Estate Agents
Brearleys
Charnock Bates Associates
Eddisons
Kevin F Crowley & Co
Redwoods Estate Agency
Golf Club
Halifax Golf Club
Lightcliffe
West End
Health and Fitness Club
Inn
Shibden Mill InnTower House Hotel
White Swan Hotel
Market
All Saints Car Boot
Borough Market
Halifax Car Boot
Piece Hall Market
Performing Arts
Dance Arena Ballet & Stage School
Halifax Symphony Orchestra
Sandra Whiteley's Academy of Performing Arts
Victoria Theatre
Pub and Bar
Bass House
Bottomley's Arms
Cross Keys
Falcon Inn
Feathers Inn
Granby
Halfway House
Ivy House Inn
Malt House
Oddfellows Arms
Peacock Inn
Prospect Inn
Shibden Mill Inn
Shoulder Of Mutton
Stafford Arms
Sun Inn
The Old White Beare
Trafalgar Inn
Yew Tree Inn
Restaurant
Bentley's Restaurant
Dusk Till Dawn
Holdsworth House
Inn-Cognito
La Tavas
La Torre Ristorante Bar
Le Taj
Malt House
Meenas
Red Pepper Bistro
Sun Inn
The Old White Beare
Treasure House
Tum Nuk Thai Restaurant
Ziggy's Spice House
School
Dance Arena Ballet & Stage School
Hipperholme Grammar School
Sandra Whiteley's Academy of Performing Arts
The Gleddings Preparatory School
Self-Catering
Solicitor
Baxendale Vanzie Solicitors
Bearders
Goodwin Stevens
John Pickering & Partners
Jubblong Bothams Ltd
Nicholas Smith Solicitor
Rahman Ravelli
Taxi
A1 Ziggys CarsABC Cars
Crossleys Taxis
Express Cars
Metro Cars
Pennine Taxis Ltd
Premier Cars
Vinnys
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Bradshaw CC (Cricket)
Calderdale Cobras (Basketball)
Elland TC (Tennis)
Halifax CC (Cricket)
Halifax RLFC (Rugby League)
Heath RUFC (Rugby Union)
Old Brodleians RUFC (Rugby Union)
Old Crossleyans RUFC (Rugby Union)
Old Rishworthian RUFC (Rugby Union)
Ovenden ARLFC (Rugby League)
Toulston Polo Club (Polo)
Shops
Pediwear Shoe Centre
Just Books
Wade Fred (Booksellers & Stationers) Ltd
Sunflowers
Boots
Good Life Books Ltd
Iingfield Farm Shop
Early Learning Centre
Momo Interiors
Wyevale Garden Centre
Nordgreen Nurseries
Trafalgar Garden Centre
West Yorkshire Jack First
Osbourns Organics
Millets
Just Bazaar
Just Bazaar
Profile Events
Whitakers Ltd
Pediwear Shoe Centre
Shoe Emporium
Just Bazaar
J D Sports
Diamond Beauty Bar
Staples
Carphone Warehouse
Halfords
PC World
Gallery 185
Wickes
Springfield Camping & Outdoor Center
Food Therapy
H Samuel
Peacocks
Gamestation
Superdrug
The Carousel
T K Maxx
J J B Sports
Pets At Home
River Island
Saks Hair & Beauty
Therapy Skincare
Stone Dam Mills
Brides at Just Jenna
Hipperpottery Homes
Sunset Lingerie
Topman
Topshop
Petals of Halifax
Antiques
Art Deco Originals
Piece Hall Antiques
North Bridge Antiques
Collectors Old Toy Shop
Activities
Airborne Hang Gliding & Paragliding Centre(Airsports)
Phoenix Bowmen(Archery)
Laura Brennan Equestrian Centre(Riding)
Halifax Ski Centre(Snow Sports)
The Sportsman Inn & Leisure(Snow Sports)
Places to Stay near Halifax
Travelodge Halifax (0.14 miles)
Make your next short break a comfortable and convenient one with a stay at the quality Travelodge Halifax. Sitting just 1 mile from Halifax Train Station and within easy reach of the M62, this hotel ... More | visit website
White Swan Hotel (0.21 miles)
The White Swan Hotel is centrally located ensuring that you are only a short walk away from the shops, museums, restaurants and bars.There are 41 recently refurbished en-suite bedrooms. The ... More
The Wool Merchant Hotel (0.35 miles)
Imperial Crown Hotel (0.45 miles)
Previously a textile mill, this friendly and traditional hotel is located in the heart of Halifax opposite Eureka! The museum for children and only a short walk from the nearby ... More | visit website
Simple2let (0.84 miles)
"Your very own spacious ... More | visit website
Shibden Mill Inn (1.30 miles)
Tower House Hotel (1.41 miles)
The Tower House Hotel & Restaurant is named after the famous landmark Wain House Tower which is overlooking the property. The entire establishment has recently undergone major renovation and has ... More
Premier Inn Halifax South (1.63 miles)
Ideally located within easy reach of the M62. Conveniently located for Halifax train station. For shops and local amenities Halifax town centre is only 2 miles away. Our Halifax Premier Inn has everything you'd expect, incredibly ... More | visit websiteHoldsworth House (2.21 miles)
Holdsworth House is a retreat of quality and charm standing three miles north of Halifax in the heart of Yorkshire's West Riding. Built in 1633, it was acquired by the Pearson family over 40 ... More | visit website
Elland Apartments (2.60 miles)
This is a development of luxury apartments formed from the conversion of a stunning Victorian Mill set in the Calder Valley. Overlooking greenfields to the rear aspect the mill provides ... More
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