Calderdale Canal Walks

EXPLORE CALDERDALE TOWNS ALONG ROCHDALE AND CALDER & HEBBLE NAVIGATION CANALS

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Todmorden

Affectionately referred to as ‘Odmorden’ by some of its residents, Todmorden means ‘valley of the Marsh Fox’ and is situated at the meeting point of three steep valleys on the Lancashire and Yorkshire border. (We’re told that sportsmen born in Tod can play cricket for either county). The town has a rich industrial history centred on its cotton trade and at one time was home to the largest weaving shed in the world.
Todmorden is the birthplace of Incredible Edible, now a worldwide movement. Herbs, fruit and vegetables grow in public places and you’re encouraged to help yourself. Local produce is very important and is readily available at the market and The Bear.
Aside from ‘guerilla gardening’, Todmorden has many links to nonconformism – have a look at the listed Unitarian Church on Honey Hole Street. The Chartists had a strong presence in the area and you’ll spot references to the Fielden family across the town. John Fielden was a mill owner, social reformer, and the MP for Oldham who introduced the 1847 Factory Act, known as the Ten Hour Act.

For more information and ideas for places to stay: Visit Todmorden

Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge is on the Yorkshire side of the Pennine Hills. Not long ago, it was a small mill town producing wool and woollen goods. By the end of the sixties, the town was in bad shape. Shops were empty and blocks of terraced houses were being pulled down.
During the seventies and eighties the town was repopulated by a motley mixture of artists, writers, photographers, musicians, alternative practitioners, teachers, green and New Age activists and more recently, wealthier yuppy types. The area has a rich literary history. The Bronte sisters wrote their famous novels just a few miles away in Haworth, the American poet, Sylvia Plath is buried at Heptonstall on the hill overlooking Hebden Bridge and the poet laureate, Ted Hughes was born in Mytholmroyd, two miles away.
Hebden Bridge was an obvious destination for those wanting to escape the cities because life here can be a fine mixture of the urban and rural. The water from the hills powered the first mills of the Industrial Revolution. Yet, ten minutes from the town centre and you can be walking alone by the river in one of the many wooded valleys. A half an hour's walk uphill and you can be rambling across heather moorland.

For more information and ideas for places to stay: HEBDEN BRIDGE Web

Sowerby Bridge

Sowerby Bridge is where the Calder & Hebble Navigation and the Rochdale Canal meet on the edge of the Pennines. Once an industrial centre, now trendy pubs and cafes fill many of the old canal buildings.
The area is well known for its walking and cycling routes across and around the Pennines too. What a facinating place to explore the history of weaving, water mills and the role our canals played during the industrial revolution.
The town is home to annual Rushbearing Festival which takes place early in September each year and is a revival of an ancient custom. Its origins lie in the tradition of carrying fresh rushes to church to put on the beaten earth floor – few such events survive today because most churches lost their festivities when they improved their flooring long ago. The event begins with rushes being piled high on a special rushcart – the thatching process takes over a week but is complete by Saturday morning- which is blessed at the church at 10.15. The decorated cart parades its way arund the local villages all day accompanied by morris men, mummers and other entertainers. On Sunday, the special Rushbearing Service is held at St Peter’s Church at Sowerby from 10.30 followed by another procession and more dancing through the day.

For more information and ideas for places to stay: In Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing

Halifax

Halifax is Calderdale’s largest town and has one of the most complete Victorian townscapes in Britain. That means there are iconic buildings at practically every corner you turn and the museums are hardly in short supply. From the unique Grade I-listed Piece Hall to Halifax Minster, one of the finest buildings in Yorkshire, this is a town immensely proud of its heritage.
Wainhouse Tower is a prominent feature of Halifax landscape. Originally it started it's life as a chimney, now it is the world's tallest folly. Halifax is a home to Dean Clough Mill which was once the biggest carpet factory on the planet. Chocolaty favourites Rolo and Quality Street also come from Halifax, and then there’s the Halifax Building Society too of course – the UK’s largest until not so long ago.
Halifax’s thriving town centre is enveloped by glorious green space. Take advantage of the rolling hills of the vast parks, go boating on the calm waters at Shibden or discover the jungle at Manor Heath. There’s every reason to head out into the great outdoors of Halifax.

For more information and ideas for places to stay: Discover Halifax

Elland

Elland is home to the fabulous Rex Cinema, one of Britain’s oldest surviving and still thriving purpose-built picture houses. This small town in Calderdale hosts an impressive selection of family-run shops giving Elland town centre a homely appeal. Victoria Mills in nearby Greetland houses Andy Thornton’s, an Aladdin’s cave of architectural antiques and quirky finds, together with some great independent restaurants.
All that shopping will make for thirsty work – why not take a break in Elland’s first ever micropub, Elland Craft & Tap? Discover a range of independent café’s, local pubs and small eateries in the town centre. Finish off with a sweet treat at family-run sweet shop Joseph Dobson’s.
Elland has a number of hidden gems for those who enjoy the quaint and quirky shops. Take a trip to the family-run, Dobson’s sweet shop or head into the community run Open Market on a Friday to pick up some locally produced fresh food. You’ll find fantastic arts and crafts shops in the town centre with some truly unique handcrafted items.

For more information and ideas for places to stay: Visit Elland

Brighouse

Situated on the Calder and Hebble Navigation waterway and with motorway links nearby, Brighouse is a vibrant market town perfectly central for any stay in West Yorkshire. With its roots in the traditional, it also offers both independent and national outlets and the sense of community rings true throughout the year, as the town plays host to award-winning Artisan Markets and festivals now famous in the region.
Brighouse has established itself as something of a hub of fine restaurants and bars for a great night out. Meze, a modern Turkish and Greek restaurant, comes highly recommended, as does Prego – head here for delicious Italian cuisine, whether you’re treating the family or pushing the boat out for date night.
Fancy something a little more adrenalin pumping? Head over to the Rokt Climbing Gym – the largest indoor climbing gym in Yorkshire – and enjoy its towering RoktFace outdoor climbing wall. It’s higher than both the Tower of London and the Angel of the North so those who fancy a challenge won’t be disappointed.

For more information and ideas for places to stay: Visit Brighouse