Slaithwaite Tourist Information

Slaithwaite (pronounced 'slawit' or 'slathwaite' by locals) is a true "Yorkshire grit" mill town straddled by the viaduct and bisected by the canal. Slaithwaite retains its essential character, despite being used as the setting for the television series, "Where the Heart is" and for some of "Last of the Summer Wine".

A lovely church, the fine 17th Century Dartmouth Estate Manor House and other buildings dating from the 18th Century combine with large central mills to give quality to this industrial village that was once home to Luddites.

Since the re-opening of the canal the town has become livelier and now that the buildings have been sand-blasted, they are a lovely honey colour. A highly successful ice cream parlour, a couple of antique shops, coffee shops, restaurants and beauty parlours have opened (even on Sundays). Slaithwaite has become a destination!

On the TransPennine rail route Salithwaite is within an hour's travel time from Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford and Halifax. For sybarites, the nearby Titanic Spa can provide the ultimate focus for a day-out treat.

Description by Victoria Berryman