With a population of 146,000 Huddersfield can claim to be the biggest town (as opposed to city) in Europe, and its history and attractions are in keeping with that status. Ash from an archaeological dig shows that the area was occupied 4,000 years ago, and from slightly more recent times there is an Iron Age site on Castle Hill overlooking the modern town. The Romans settled in the area thanks to its strategic location with the rivers Colne and Holme nearby, and a Roman fort has been discovered at Outlane, known as Cambodunum at that time. After the Romans left the area was subject to attacks by the Picts and other tribes from the North, but Saxon conquest and settlement helped pacify the region. Huddersfield was a Saxon market town, its name probably meaning ‘the field belonging to Hather or Huther’. In the Domesday Book the name of Oderesfelt is cited, and this had evolved over the years to Huddersfield. The region was the centre of the 1089 revolt against Norman rule, and paid a heavy price when William ordered his forces to lay waste to enemy settlements. With the surrounding sheep country and the ready availability of water Huddersfield became a textile town before the industrial revolution, noted for its fine woollen worsted cloth. Mechanisation brought growth, and great wealth for some, and the town gained its canal system and the railway. But it also meant grinding poverty for many, hand-weavers losing their ability to make a living. Huddersfield was thus one of the great centres of the Luddites. The canal system has been renovated, and the highest, longest (3 miles 135 yards) and deepest canal tunnel in the country, Standedge, is a major attraction. There are walks, pubs and restaurants elsewhere on the system taking advantage of the magical draw of the waterside. The railway station in Huddersfield is a magnificent piece of Victoriana, once dubbed ‘A stately home with trains in’. Outside the station there is now a bronze of one of Huddersfield’s most famous sons, Harold Wilson. There are a lot more architectural splendours to enjoy in the town, which has the third highest number of listed buildings of any town or city in the country. One that cannot be missed is the Victoria Tower on Castle Hill, visible from miles around. Huddersfield has an important place in the sporting pantheon too. The 1895 split between Rugby League and Rugby Union was agreed here. The town’s Rugby League club was once a power in the land, winning seven Championships and six Challenge Cups, but the last triumph of that scale was in 1962. The gods of Football once smiled on the town, the legendary manager and innovator Herbert Chapman guiding the club to success - Huddersfield Town FC won the League Championship in three successive years from 1923 on. Today the spectacular Galpharm Stadium hosts the town’s Rugby League and football sides. The Huddersfield Choral Society is perhaps the most distinguished in the country, founded in 1836, and the town has another musical claim to fame as the site of the last Sex Pistols gig in 1977. The Peak District begins just to the south of the town, and there are beautiful villages aplenty to discover, including Holmfirth that is known to millions as the setting of Last of the Summer Wine, so Huddersfield can offer the outdoor types as much as the townies.
Attraction
Colne Valley Museum
Huddersfield Art Gallery
Kirklees Light Railway
Last of the Summer Wine Exhibition (Compo's House)
Marsden Moor Estate (NT)
Standedge Visitor Centre
Tolson Museum
Budget
Innkeepers Lodge *book online*
Premier Inn Huddersfield North *book online*
Premier Inn Huddersfield West *book online*
Travelodge Huddersfield Mirfield *book online*
Waterfront Lodge *book online*
Camping
Care Home
Aden Court
Aden House
Aden Mount
Southfield Court Care Home
Tolson Grange
Casino
Cinema
Classes
Club
Club La Salsa
Jumpin Jaks
The Camel Club
Council
Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council
Dentist
A P Flooks Dental Surgery
Almondbury Dental Practice
Crosland Moor Dental Surgery
Kirkburton Dental Care
Lindley Dental Centre
Estate Agent
Boultons
Brown William H
Esjape Properties Ltd
Jackson Staniforth Estate Agents
Property Leeds (UK) Ltd
Sellars Estate Agents
Turners
Farmers Market
Golf Club
HuddersfieldLongley Park
Health and Fitness Club
Inn
Huddersfield Hotel
The Huddersfield Hotel
Market
Holmfirth Farmers Market
Huddersfield Open Market
Queensgate Market Hall
Performing Arts
Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra
The Young Victoria Academy
Pub and Bar
Ashbrow
Azzurri Bar-Ristorante
Bluebell Inn
College Arms
Dunkirk Inn
Fleece Inn
Grove Inn
Holiday Inn Leeds/Brighouse
Jack O'Mitre
Jug & Bottle
Rat & Ratchet
Royal
Royal & Ancient
Spangled Bull
Stag Inn
The Junction
Tillotson Arms
Union Bank
Wagon & Horses Inn
White Hart
White Swan Inn
Restaurant
Aspley (The)
Azzurri Bar-Ristorante
Bradleys Restaurant
Chameleon
Chez & Nico's
Gringo's
Holiday Inn Leeds/Brighouse
Jug & Bottle
Lounge68
Piri Piri Grill
Rumboat
Serena Restaurant
Thai Sakon Restaurant
The Olive Branch
Self-Catering
Solicitor
Grieves Solicitors
H Garnett
Jack Thornley & Partners
Kingsley Brookes
Ludgate Morrell
Parker Bird Whiteley Solicitors
Ramsdens
Taxi
123 Fast Taxis
Abbey Cars
Bridge Taxis
G T Taxis
Huddersfield Taxis
New Birds Taxis
Radio Cars
Vet
Companion Care Veterinary Surgery
Sports Clubs
Bradley & Colnebridge Cricket Club (Cricket)
Huddersfield (Men's Hockey)
Huddersfield Dragons (Women's Hockey)
Huddersfield Giants (Rugby League)
Huddersfield Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Huddersfield Lawn Tennis & Squash Club Ltd (Tennis)
Huddersfield New College Basketball Club (Basketball)
Huddersfield RUFC (Rugby Union)
Huddersfield Town Football Club (Football)
Huddersfield YMCA RUFC (Rugby Union)
Marsden CC (Cricket)
Shops
Alnoor Book & Music Centre
Book Corner
Booksale
Childrens Bookshop
Just Books
Yorkshire Rose
Occasions
Boots
Thorncliffe Farm Shop
Revival
Huddersfield Wools
Armitages Pennine Garden Centre
Colne Valley Garden Centre
Your Nuts Springfield Mill
Natural Choice
Half Moon Health Foods
Pet Pleaser Gifts
Marsden Pharmacy
Hampshire Opticians
Jellybeans LTD
Dawson & Hall Ltd
Classic Shoes
Waterstones
J D Sports
Carphone Warehouse
Williams Ironmongers
Majestic Wine
Thorntons
PC World
The Ark
The Big Picture
North Light Gallery
Mark Alexander Galleries
Lupton Square Gallery
Arts & Crafts
Sanderson George & Peach
Wickes
H Samuel
Ernest Jones
Peacocks
Mothercare
Souten & Agyemang
Gamestation
Specsavers
Tops Tiles
J J B Sports
Pets At Home
River Island
Topman
Topshop
BHS
House Of Fraser
Office
Antiques
Cobweb Antiques
Finders Keepers
Activities
Scammonden Activity Centre(Adventure)
Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield(Archery)
Huddersfield RC(Cycling)
Ride Rural(Cycling)
Ride Rural(Cycling)
Huddersfield Dive Centre(Water Sports)
Huddersfield Dive Centre(Water Sports)
Places to Stay near Huddersfield
George Hotel (0.19 miles)
Directly opposite the railway station, in the heart of Huddersfield, this beautifully preserved classic Victorian railway hotel is known around the world as the birthplace of Rugby League. Originally built in 1851, the George Hotel has ... More | visit website
Huddersfield Hotel (0.23 miles)
The Huddersfield Hotel is a traditional hotel in the centre of the old wosted town of Huddersfield. It is situated in the town centre and is only a 5minute walk ... More
Cambridge Guest House (0.49 miles)
With only 12 rooms, this is a conveniently appointed Guest House, only half a mile from the Town Centre and Rail Station and with the same level of facilities as ... More
Elm Crest Guest House (0.75 miles)
Croppers Arms (0.88 miles)
Heritage Lofts - Serviced Suites (1.72 miles)
The Gate (1.76 miles)
Our exquisite, fully serviced ... More | visit website
Briar Court Hotel (2.07 miles)
The Briar Court Hotel combines great service with excellent facilities. Da Sandro Restaurant offers diners an authentic Italian experience not to be missed; with traditional log-burning pizza oven. Situated in ... More
Premier Inn Huddersfield West (2.46 miles)
Ideally situated at junction 24 of the M62 for easy access to Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford and Manchester. Conveniently located for Huddersfield train station. For shops and local amenities Huddersfield town centre is only 4 miles ... More | visit websiteElder Lea House (2.53 miles)
Elder Lea House is the only 5 Star Gold Award (Visit Britain graded) in the area offering high quality accomodation at reasonable prices. Elder Lea is a restored former victorian ... More
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