~Halifax & The Shibden Valley~
21st August 2010
Eyebrows were raised when I answered "Halifax" to the usual Friday afternoon question of "Where are you going this Saturday?" I had long considered a look at this old textile town and it's quite close to home on a major rail route, so it is easy to get to....
Stump Cross
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Halifax Railway Station
The old station building here is no longer in use by the railway. My brother, Peter, joined me today as he and I both share an interest in industrial history; we travelled from Burnley by train and having just left the station, we are heading into Halifax for a look at the Piece Hall.
The Piece Hall
Halifax Piece Hall was built in 1779 and surrounds a massive square, where we are stood. The building has 315 rooms and hand-weavers from the pre-industrial revolution era would bring their wares (pieces) here for sale to cloth merchants. Nowadays it houses a visitor centre, art gallery and little shops. Stallholders were getting ready for the day.
TJ's Cafe in Halifax
We decided to start the day with a breakfast and paid this cafe a visit, see later.
Halifax
The Piece Hall is in the centre of the photo. The Square Chapel is the red building just in front and to the left of the Piece Hall, the other church nearer the camera is "smoke blackened". Wainhouse Tower overlooking Sowerby Bridge is further away to the left. We are on Beacon Hill, having walked up the old cobbled route known as Magna Via.
Dean Clough Mills
The mills centre-left were occupied by Crossley Carpets until 1983. I intend to take a closer look at this end of Halifax on another occasion. The main road routes use the fly-overs in front of the mills.
Beacon Hill
From the top of Beacon Hill, we headed over the brow and down the other side to find again the railway, which takes the direct route through the hill. Shibden Park is the next point of interest.
Shibden Park Boating Lake
Shibden Park Miniature Railway
Any viewers with small children, who happen to live near Halifax, should visit this park. It's full of things to do and large open spaces. A rail trip costs £1.20 and you get the opportunity to wave at onlookers. Peter and I might have had a ride, but we felt the need to have a small child with us, and there were no spares around.
Stump Cross Inn
We've left the park and crossed a very busy road (A58) which links Halifax to Leeds and Bradford.
Staups Lane
Shibden Vale
The walk follows an old flagged track towards the head of the valley.
Worn Stone
The wear on this stone indicates how much traffic has passed this way down the years.
Shibden Mill Inn
This Inn is at the furthest point of the walk from the start. We popped in for a little refreshment. Nice pub and restuarant.
2 Pints of Moorhouse's Shibden Ale
A connection here is that Moorhouse's is a Burnley brewery and that's where we're from.
Godley Cutting
We go over the road on the bridge in the photo. Godley Cutting was made to allow a "new" road from Halifax to Leeds/Bradford, prior to that traffic used the Magna Via, as mentioned earlier.
Halifax Railway Coal Drop
The Coal Drop is a "Listed Building" - a relic from the age of steam.
The Nestle Factory, Halifax
Halifax Railway Station
The Train Home
That's the Nestle Factory behind the station. It's been an interesting walk in new territory, Halifax has plenty to offer the walker and urban explorer.
Walkers: Peter Ratcliffe and Me
Time taken: 3hr 20mins over a distance of 5 miles, includes the time spent at the pub.
Route: Halifax, Beacon Hill, Shibden Park, Stump Cross, Shibden Vale, back via the other side of the valley and over the Godley Cutting to Halifax.
Weather and conditions: Sunny and a little breezy at times, warm.
Greetings Count: Nobody else was on our route, there were plenty of folk in the park and around Halifax.
Richard's Refreshment Review: TJ's Cafe in Halifax was really good. In another town full of clone cafes and shops, it was good to find a fine place to take breakfast - waiter service, good food, warm plates, plenty of space and tables.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....