Halifax Tourist Information |
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The West Yorkshire town of Halifax is a sizeable Minster town, best known for its woollen industry, confectionery and the Halifax Bank. It is situated ten miles south west of Bradford, close to the M62. The name Halifax comes from "holy flax" and local legend says that the head of John the Baptist was buried here. In fact the town coat of arms includes an image of the biblical saint. Halifax Minster, a grand 12th century building, is dedicated to the same St John. The Minster had a famous organist, William Herschel, who also discovered the planet Uranus. From the 15th century Halifax was a well-known centre for England's wool processing and weaving. The Halifax Piece Hall was where most of the trading took place. By the 19th century the town was booming with its cotton mills, wool and carpet manufacturing. Many fine buildings were erected at this time, and still survive today. Sir Francis Crossley, part of the philanthropic carpet producing family, built almshouses for his workers which are still run by volunteers. Gibbet Street is named after the Halifax Gibbet, a structure used for executions up to 1650. The Halifax Building Society was founded in 1853 and went on to become Britain's largest provider of residential mortgages. It is now a subsidiary of the Lloyds Banking Group. Present Day Halifax The Piece Hall, which once accommodated 300 merchants' offices, was saved from demolition by a single vote and now accommodates trendy cafés, wine bars and small shops. The Victorian Borough Market dominates the centre of the town. The Victoria Theatre is another famous landmark. It is home to the oldest amateur choral society in England, founded in 1817. The theatre has a huge concert organ, installed in 1901 by William Hill and sons. Mackintosh's has been producing chocolate and toffee in Halifax since 1890 and is now owned by Nestle. Its best-known products are Quality Street chocolates, Rolo and Toffee Crisp. Things to Do Around Halifax Wainhouse Tower is the tallest folly in the world. It was built in 1871 as a chimney for a dyeworks which was sold before the tower's completion. The new owner refused to pay for the building so it became a useless folly. Eureka remains a favourite attraction with children. It was opened by Prince Charles in 1992. This Science Museum has walk-in body parts and plenty of high-tech displays. Shibden Hall is just outside Halifax and is a pretty half-timbered manor house with a brewery, basketmakers, stables and tannery surrounded by a park . Calderdale remains in a time warp in the magnificent setting of Calder Gorge, seven miles from Halifax. It now operates as a living craft village where clog makers and boiled sweet makers still ply their trade the old-fashioned way.
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| Weather: Halifax Weather Forecast | |
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Here's a 5 day weather forecast for Halifax from the Met Office: |
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Directions
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Attractions near Halifax
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Eureka! The National Children's Museum
(< 1 Mile)*
Eureka! has a fun-packed programme of events every holiday and half term. |
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Shibden Hall
(1 Mile)*
Built in 1420, Shibden Hall with it's oak panelled interiors and atmospheric room settings is Halifax's Historic Home. The Folk Museum and Barn also offer you a world without electricity, where craftsmen worked in wood and iron. |
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Bankfield Museum
(1 Mile)*
For half a century from 1837-1886, Bankfield House was the home of Edward Akroyd, the largest wool manufacturer in Britain. |
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Towns near Halifax
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Ovenden Tourist Information
(1 Mile)*
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Exley Tourist Information
(2 Miles)*
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Hipperholme Tourist Information
(2 Miles)*
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Hotels near Halifax
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Self Catering near Halifax
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At Cherry Tree Cottages we have two warm, traditional, stone cottages, set in two acres of natural heather and woodland garden, with extensive views over the Black Brook valley and attractive South Pennines. |
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A newly renovated delightful original Weaver’s cottage. This one bedroomed cottage on three floors can offer all the amenities you could want during you stay. |
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Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day. |
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