HERITAGE
Halifax’s heritage is as diverse as it is interesting, too much to cover here but the following links will give you some idea of it’s splendid Victorian architecture, the modern architecture of the Halifax Building Society’s [HBOS] building, industrial heritage, theatres, museums and historic gems - much of it based on the past textile industries when carpet weaving and cloth manufacturing were major sources of wealth.

 
The Piece Hall, Britain's only surviving cloth hall, today is placed amongst the great town squares of Europe with a treasure trove of high-quality independent shops, unique restaurants and bars surrounding the huge open-air piazza.   Now also a venue for many summer open air concerts, such as Sting, Madness, Sister Sledge, The Jacksons, Rag n Bone Man and many more yet to be announced for 2023


In close proximity are Calderdales green and pleasant spaces - again too numerous to mention, but, if you have time, the following are close by and places you will be glad you took time to visit:

Hebden Bridge - a lovely, friendly, vibrant, pretty town with plenty of good restaurants and cultural events.
Heptonstall - on the hilltop above Hebden Bridge with an 11th century church (ruin) and other lovely old buildings.
Haworth - home of the Brontes, a warren of ancient narrow streets.


There are plenty of lovely walks nearby - the Shibden Valley, and a little further out are Hardcastle Craggs - a beautiful wooded valley with the recently conserved sustainable energy powered Gibson Mill and Ogden Water nature reserve and trail. The Calderdale Way and many other walks - www.ramblers.org.uk/info/paths/calderdale.html

You could also visit  Shibden Hall once the home of Anne Lister AKA Gentleman Jack or the Bankfield Museum renowned for its textile exhibits, both only minutes away from Ploughcroft Cottage.


A little further afield are Bradford (30 minutes) and the acclaimed National Museum of Photography & Film, the Royal Armouries in Leeds, The Henry Moore Institute, Skipton Castle, Harrogate Spa & Baths, and Castle Howard.


York, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield and Manchester are all within one hour by road and train.


Ploughcroft Cottage is an ideal base for visiting all of the above - in a rural setting and a home away from home.
So, if your stay is 3 or 4 days you will have plenty of wonderful and interesting places to visit - just minutes from Ploughcroft Cottage - and if you have only limited time your appetite will be surely whetted for a more lengthy return trip!

Verse 4 of 5 © 2007 George Crowther - All this, and I fear more change, The moors grow wilder with wind and rain, the valleys lose their life within, No more cattle to be seen, The work and people have all changed too, What can we Yorkshire folk do?