FAMILY DAYS OUT Holmfirth and the Holme and Colne Valleys
Including hidden treasures in Marsden, Meltham, Honley, Golcar, Milnsbridge, Linthwaite and Slaithwaite
Welcome Great days out for all the family The Colne and Holme Valleys are full of places to entertain your family. Use this guide to inspire you; and the map to familiarise yourself with the area.
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Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre 49-51 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3JP T: 01484 222444 E: holmfirth.tic@kirklees.gov.uk
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To find accommodation or treat your family to souvenirs and postcards, visit:
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Visitor information and accommodation
Marsden Library and Information Centre Marsden Mechanics Hall, Peel Street, Marsden, HD7 6BW T: 01484 222555 E: marsden.visitorinformation@kirklees.gov.uk
Accessibility
You may come across cobbled streets and quaint old buildings; contact attractions before you arrive to make sure you get the most out of your visit.
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Art, heritage, outdoors, food & drink, indulgence, family. Visit the website and download the series. www.visitholmfirth.co.uk
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Great days out Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre
Visit attractions Perfect for a family day out, Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre, Marsden is the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the country. Explore deep into the tunnel on a family friendly guided boat trip, have a bite to eat in the café and let the kids jump, climb and explore the playground and wildlife garden. Spark young imaginations at the Colne Valley Museum, Golcar. As you step inside the museum’s traditional weavers’ cottages compare modern family life with a weaver’s child’s 150 years ago. Pop into a weekend event and try out some Victorian children’s games or catch a craft demonstration such as bread-baking, weaving and spinning. You’ll find goats, owls and more at Hinchcliffe Farm, near Armitage Bridge. Take hold of the reins of a working Shire or Clydesdale Horse at the farm’s Heavy Horse Centre when you book a ‘Hands On’ experience. If big wheels are more your thing, visit the David Brown Tractor Museum , Meltham on one of their open days and see tractors from as long ago as 1939.
David Brown Tractors
Find out more… Colne Valley Museum www.colnevalleymuseum.org.uk Cliffe Ash, Golcar, HD7 4PY T: 01484 659762 David Brown Tractor Museum www.dbtc.co.uk Spinksmire Mill, Meltham Mills, Meltham, HD9 4JA Hinchcliffe Farm and Heavy Horse Centre www.hinchcliffes.com Netherton Moor Road, Netherton, HD4 7LE T: 01484 661231 Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre www.standedge.co.uk Waters Road, Marsden HD7 6NQ T: 01484 844298
Colne Valley Museum
Hinchliffe Farm Heavy Horses
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Great days out Huddersfield Observatory
Find out more…
Get hands-on For star-gazers, Huddersfield Observatory offers a different view of the valleys. It’s open to the public on clear nights between October and late March for a special view of meteor showers, planets and the moon. On Friday evenings between May and August you can view the sun through specially adapted solar telescopes. Kids can make their own ceramic keepsake at the Potters Den, Holmfirth, while you enjoy a coffee and cake. For more hands-on fun, book a half day Family Baking Day (children aged 4-16) at the award winning, community supported Handmade Bakery, Slaithwaite. If you’re staying a little longer, book a three day summer workshop with local textile artist, Sue Clay at her studio in Holmfirth for children aged 7-13. Every Friday during term time the kids can get messy with paint and crafts at North Light Gallery, Armitage Bridge. North Light Gallery
North Light Gallery
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www.visitholmfirth.co.uk
Handmade Bakery www.thehandmadebakery.coop Unit 6 Upper Mills, Canal Side, Slaithwaite, HD7 5HA T: 01484 842175 Huddersfield Observatory www.huddersfieldastronomy.org North Light Gallery www.northlightgallery.org.uk The North Light, Brooke’s Mill, Armitage Bridge, HD4 7NR T: 01484 340003 Potters Den 9 Norridge Bottom, Holmfirth, HD9 7BB T: 07984 996479 Sue Clay www.feltconnection.co.uk Mytholmbridge, Holmfirth T: 01484 686642
Sue Clay Felt Studio
Handmade Bakery
Great days out Get outdoors Enjoy a family friendly, three mile walk along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Marsden and Slaithwaite. From Slaithwaite, follow the canal alongside the main village street past the Moonraker Floating Tearoom, an ideal spot for a drink or snack. You’ll reach Marsden after passing through beautiful scenery and relics of the industrial age; either head into the village for some well-deserved refreshments, or carry on another mile to Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre. If you prefer downhill routes start your journey at Tunnel End and follow the towpath to Milnsbridge. Look out for interpretation panels that explore the history of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and 15 sculptures along the way.
Take to the hills on the National Trust’s Marsden Moor. Fly a kite, spot paragliders or head off for a walk. Check for regular events like family bird walks or rock climbing taster days. Lovingly restored by local volunteers, Slaithwaite Spa Park is a great place to sit by the river, walk in the woods and spot kingfishers and herons. In walking distance of Meltham is Robert Ashton Memorial Park. Bring some bread for the ducks, explore the playground and settle down with a picnic. Enjoy the peaceful, tree lined haven of Meltham Greenway. Marsden Park and Honley Park are both handy for a play and walk round the gardens. Visit Victoria Park, Holmfirth for stunning views over the town.
Find out more… Marsden, Honley and Victoria Park www.kirklees.gov.uk/parks Meltham Greenway www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk From Station Street, Meltham, passing alongside Morrisons supermarket and out on the former rail corridor to Huddersfield Road at Meltham Mills. National Trust’s Marsden Moor Estate www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marsdenmoor Marsden, Huddersfield T: 01484 847016 Robert Ashton Memorial Park Huddersfield Road, Meltham, HD9 4BQ Slaithwaite Spa Park www.slaithwaitespa.co.uk Slaithwaite, HD7 5EB Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre www.standedge.co.uk Waters Road, Marsden HD7 6NQ T: 01484 844298
Views around Marsden
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Great days out Family friendly treats and food Treat the kids at Imagine Toys, Holmfirth and The Magic Box, Marsden, which are jam-packed full of toys, from the latest crazes to well loved toys from the past. Enjoy a mini afternoon tea, designed especially for kids at Emma’s Tea Parlour, Holmfirth or scrumptious treats surrounded by vintage memorabilia at the Oil Can Cafe in Hepworth. Ice cream lovers are spoilt for choice, visit award winning, artisan ice cream maker Vanilla Bean, Slaithwaite, try handmade, mouth-watering ice-cream at A Month of Sundaes, Marsden and taste locally made delights at Longley Farm Ice Cream Parlour, Holmfirth. Watch pizza’s being made in the open pizza oven at Mozzerella’s Pizzeria, Marsden. Sample locally grown food at one of our farm shops - try award-winning Hinchcliffe Farm, near Armitage Bridge or Bolster Moor Farm, Golcar and enjoy the coffee shop’s panoramic views.
Find out more… toys Imagine Toys www.imaginetoys.co.uk 13 Norridge Bottom, Holmfirth, HD9 7BB T: 01484 685955 The Magic Box www.magicboxtoys.co.uk 5 Peel Street, Marsden, HD7 6NG T: 01484 841365
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Find out more… food
A Month of Sundaes www.amonthofsundaes.com 9 Peel Street, Marsden, HD7 6BR T: 01484 845868 Bolster Moor Farm www.bolstermoorfarmshop.co.uk 1a Bolster Moor Road, Golcar, HD7 4JU T: 01484 648274 Emma’s Tea Parlour 27 Hollowgate, Holmfirth, HD9 2DG T: 01484 689846 Hinchcliffe Farm and Heavy Horse Centre www.hinchcliffes.com Netherton Moor Road, Netherton, HD4 7LE T: 01484 661231 Longley Farm ice Cream www.longleyfarm.com Longley Farm, Holmfirth, HD9 2JD T: 01484 684151 Mozzerella’s Pizzeria www.mozzarellas.uk.com 21-23 Peel Street, Marsden, HD7 6BW T: 01484 845511 The New Inn www.newinnmarsden.co.uk Manchester Road, Marsden, HD9 6EZ T: 01484 841917 Vanilla Bean 20 Carr Lane, Slaithwaite, HD7 5AN T: 01484 841611 Oil Can Cafe / The Carding Shed Find us on Facebook Dobroyd Mills, Hepworth, HD9 1AF T: 01484 680300
Events FEBRUARY
MAY
Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival Discover a story of smugglers, soldiers and quick thinking at the Moonraking Festival, Slaithwaite. Kids will love following the lantern procession, culminating with a spectacular firework display. www.slaithwaitemoonraking.org
Golcar Lily Day Celebrate village life at Golcar Lily Day. Enjoy music, street entertainers, stalls and art workshops. Pick up a jar of Lily Pickles or some Golcar Lily Sausages from the local butcher. www.golcarlilyday.co.uk
APRIL
Slaithwaite Spa The bi-annual Slaithwaite Spa ‘Rant’ is a day of celebration, themed for family fun. www.slaithwaitespa.co.uk
Cuckoo Day Marsden’s Cuckoo Day celebrates the return of the cuckoo with art and crafts on show, traditional dancing, music and a village procession.
Get a real taste of local life at one of our fantastic, quirky events, some dating back hundreds of years. Contact our Information to find out about all the events in the. Holmfirth Festival of Folk The Festival of Folk is a feast of entertainment for the whole family. Check out the festival programme and dive into delights including storytelling walks, street theatre, samba drumming and circus skills workshops. www.holmfirthfestivaloffolk.co.uk
Meltham Scarecrow Festival Follow the trail to discover Meltham’s curious home-made scarecrows. Poster competition and refreshments available.
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More events JUNE
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Holmfirth Arts Festival This well established annual festival sees eleven days of music, art, comedy, theatre and literature. With a great programme of children’s events such as interactive plays, story-telling workshops and sculpture making, the whole family can get involved. www.holmfirthartsfestival.co.uk
Holmfirth Food and Drink Festival Cookery demonstrations, workshops, a superb food market and fun for all the family. www.foodanddrinkfestival.com
Colne Valley Museum Christmas Fair Come out of the cold at Colne Valley Museum’s traditional Christmas Fair with fun and games for all the family, beautiful and unusual presents to buy, delicious food hand-baked in the Victorian Kitchen, and Father Christmas sitting by the fire. www.colnevalleymuseum.org.uk
South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival Two weeks packed with activities for two legs, two wheels and horseback. www.walkandridefestival.co.uk
Honley Show Honley Show is one of the best rural shows in the country. Watch ferret racing, falconry displays, rabbit jumping and enjoy a donkey ride. Children can scale a climbing wall, bounce on trampolines and whizz down inflatable slides. The show also has vintage cars and tractors, live music, magicians and face painting. www.honleyshow.co.uk
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The information in this guide is believed to be correct at the time of going to press. Kirklees Council cannot be held responsible for any errors.