Living extremely close to Holmfirth myself, I fail to see the attraction of three old men sliding down a field in a bath tub, but there ya go. There's nowt so queer as folk, as we quaint little villagers like to say as we potter about in our wellingtons, eat fish and chips and say 'ey up chuck' in a broad yorkshire, rough inbred kinda way.
I've lived in close proximity to this tourist honey trap for the best part of twelve years now and before that in the also lovely little town of Huddersfield so i feel i am qualified to comment. I feel there are a hell of a lot of people who need to realise that we don't all look like Compo, or dress like Nora Batty or sleep with our siblings.

I've haven't liked 'Last of the Summer Wine' since I was able to form my own opinions and I have to admit that however harmless it may seem to naive outsiders, I despise it. No really, talk about flogging a dead horse? But for all it's failings, old people in baths and hilarious bum-pinching gags, it has to be given credit for putting Holmfirth on the map. Be it a very small ordinance survey map, but a map nevertheless. It was this long-running, attempted comedy that has drawn people in their...erm, dozens, to our picturesque town hoping to see Compo look-a-likes running about and thus bringing in much-needed trade. But it needn't have been this way. Little known is the fact that Holmfirth could have been the Hollywood of England...well, that may be stretching it a bit, but the very first silent films were produced and filmed in our ickle town and if it weren't for the appalling weather, then who knows what might have been? But no point dwelling on the past, the point is that sad as it may seem, 'Last of the Summer Wine' is what made Holmfirth what it is.

But those peoiple who flock every year in wind and rain hoping to catch a glimpse of quaint local folk will be severely disappointed. Enlightenment follows: read
on if you can...
Ok, so sure, there are still some 'characters' here to please those expecting jolly country people, like the bloke who runs the tour service on foot and the sweet old ladies behind the counter in most shops, but the truth is that Holmfirth is developing. It is already home to some unique restaurants spanning the globe in their cuisine - French, Italian, Austrian (go there - kerching!!) et al, there is a supermarket, the Picturedrome: which may have films a couple of weeks after other cinemas, but is cheap and friendly, the newly opened 'Pippa Nik' boutique, which has added a much needed injection of fashion to a mainly 'Holmfirth Mills' dominated area and basically although maintaining the outward appearance of a sweet little town in Yorkshire, is actually home to a needle bin.
Unfortunately I have to burst your little bubbles here - Holmfirth has a disgusting underground drugs culture and a mafia-type heirarchy between families...it is immensely sad people, but there it is: Holmfirth may not have the glitter of Hollywood, but it has all the dirty habits. Even 'Last of the Summer Wine' country has been tainted by junkies...d'oh

But I love it. Not least because of the beautiful scenery, which i have to admit it spectacular and the only reason i ever forced myself to watch 'Last of the Summer Wine' was to identify the fields around my house. Honestly, it's so difficult to believe that you come a few miles out of Huddersfield town centre and hit so many gorgeous sights. The Valleys and fields are particularly amazing in winter when covered in three foot of snow but at the same time, a total b*tch to get out of my drive in.
I've rambled for quite a bit now, but i think you get my point. Holmfirth is a tourist town, no denying it, but look a little closer and it is a whole lot more. And we don't all have unsuitable relationships with farm animals. Ok??