Halifax is the administrative centre for the Metropolitain Borough of Calderdale and is situated in the County of West Yorkshire in the North of England. Looking at a map of the U.K we are slightly north of central between Leeds and Manchester.

Calderdale is essentially Halifax, the upper and lower Calder valley and the Ryburn valley. The area is 363 sq km iand is an area that includes the outstanding natural beauty of the South Pennines and historic townscape. The population of Calderdale is just under 200,000 people and Halifax itself just short of 100,000.

Halifax is steeped in history and derives its name from the old English words of Halh (nook of land) and Gefeaxe (coarse grassland).

From its early settlement Halifax has greatly developed, mainly due to the woollen and textile trade and in recent years banking, finance and insurance. Halifax was granted its municipal charter in 1848, thus making it a borough.

The historic wool trade of the past is is best demonstrated in the Italianate Collonaded 18th Century piazza where cloth was sold. The square is named the Piece Hall. The name Piece Hall is derived from the pieces of cloth that local woollen merchants sold.

The centre of Halifax has undergone a phoenix like transformation and has been restored to its full glory. Halifax has many Edwardian and Victorian gems and this is demonstrated through the legacy of architecture they have bestowed up on the town.

Indeed, Halifax has been noted as having the most complete Edwardian street scape in the UK. An interesting fact is that Halifax town hall was designed by Sir Charles Barrie - architect of the Houses of Parliament in London!

One of the really nice things about Halifax is its scale and the lack of an arndale centre or central mall. We do have a very decent shopping area, but rather than building a bland could be anywhere centre; they remodelled old edwardian shop fronts and developed new o

nes
in keeping to give the Woolshops Centre. This is an excellent example of modern townscape in keeping with the old.

For a great view of the town you must visit Beacon Hill, Halifax. As the name suggests the hill was used as a site for the beacon to ward against invaders, nowadays it affords an excellent view of the town and NO tourists (only the locals know about it!!!) An equally impressive view is from Wainhouse Tower (only open Bank Holidays). Wainhouse tower is an impressive stone built tower to the west of the town centre.

What can you do in Halifax??.... lots of stuff!!

Apart from the shops and architecture, Halifax has some of the best nightclubs in the north of England. It has many pubs and clubs and all are centrally located, there are even coach parties that visit, such is the popularity!

There is a new Jumpin' Jacks, The Colliseum, The Acapulco, Bar Centro and hundreds of pubs (quite literally).

There is the Eureka Childrens Museam (Nationally recognised) the Bankfield Museum, Shibden Hall and Museum and Dean Clough Art Galleries for those visitors into the arts. The town also has the Victoria Theatre which attracts lots of top acts.

Sportier types can visit the leisure centre, town pool or even go ski-ing at the Halifax Ski Centre (artificial slopes).

Getting here.

Getting here couldn't be easier. Most visitors from abroad will fly to the region. Yorkshire has its own international airport - Leeds Bradford. It has links to Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Paris together with many domestic services. Many foreign visitors can utilise the many charter flights. In addition if a suitable flight is not available (non European) Manchester International is only an hour away by car or train.

For travel within the U.K; train services are frequent and link all regional centres including, Leeds, Manchester, Liverppol and York.

Road connections are
excellent via the M1 and M62 - direct access via Junctions 22, 24 and 26.

Out of the town centre.

Visit Withens Moor, Wainstalls, Halifax- this is the real Bronte Moor and is rugged and Wild. In addition visit the many pretty towns and villages near such as Hebden Bridge, Luddenden, Midgley and Haworth.

Hebden Bridge is the most popular, it is cosmopolitain, trendy, arty and is in a really lovely setting. An interesting fact about Hebden Bridge is that it is the Lesbian capital of the north- probably due to the liberal attidues that have stayed since the hippies arrived in the 60's!

Halifax is well worthy of a visit and people will be surprised at the diversity and beauty of Calderdale. To say that we are in one of the most densely populated areas of England and indeed the United Kindgom, you are never far from real rural treats or urban gems.

For further information see:-

http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/
www.yorkshirevisitor.com
www.ytb.org.uk
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk/seegde
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/
http://www.woolshopsshoppingcentre.co.uk/
http://www.harveysofhalifax.co.uk/
http://www.eureka.org.uk/