Marsden Tourist Information

Marsden is a perfect example of the villages sited within the Colne Valley and lies about 8 miles away from Huddersfield.

The Village is small and compact with houses built around the central shopping area which is mainly the Peel Street area which runs both north and south of the Manchester Road.

The village buildings are made up of the local grit/sand stone and are solidly built. These were originally built for the mill workers who worked within the woollen industry.

The river Colne runs through the village which provided the water and power for the mills. When the local coal was discovered and mined this was used in the mills to power the steam engines in the Mills within the Colne valley.

There are quite a few good walking areas / trails in the Colne Valley and Marsden area. A favourite walk takes you up through the Wessenden Valley which contains streams, reservoirs and waterfalls and is a popular picnic area in the summer.

There is also the famous Tunnel End in Marsden which is a canal basin area which is at the start of the canal tunnel which cuts underneath the Pennines into lancashire.

The tunnel has been re-opened and canal boat trips go through into the tunnel which is accommanied with the historical talk about the tunnel and how it was built.

The countryside around Marsden is rugged and the weather is changable but it is a beautiful area and is popular with photographers.

The TV Programme - Where The Hart Is - was filmed near by, so that will give you an insite into the wonderful countryside of the valley.

There are plenty of good places to eat and drink in Marsden and it is a popular night out for the young people in the area.

Marsden has an annual Jazz festival which is a good weekends entertainment which attracts a variety of Jazz bands every year. Jazz bands/groups are found in the local churches and pubs as well as the community centre and in the open air. Both young and old visit the festival and have a great time.

Description by Andrea Chivers