Halifax

The town of Halifax was once at the very heart of the woollen industry in England. With the industry came lots of development and there are still some incredible Georgian and Victorian buildings that remain as a testament to the importance of the town and its industrial heritage. Halifax is now a town that has the family at its heart with many of the town’s attractions designed for the whole family to enjoy. As with many of England’s older towns there is a rich and often dark side of the city to be discovered. Halifax is no exception to this rule as illustrated by Halifax Gibbet, which right up until 1650 was the site of public executions where the thieves ofthe town were unceremoniously beheaded for their crimes.

Entertainment and Culture

The town is a haven for theatre lovers with its beautiful Victorian theatre with its authentic ornate décor. The arts are clearly in vogue here with the centre for arts located within the Square Chapel. Here you will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities and performances from contemporary dance to trying your hand at comedy. Sport is also big here with the impressive Shay Stadium being the home of both the football and the rugby league teams.

Traditional entertainment is not overlooked either as the town is also host to the annual Rushbearing festival with its colourful Morris dancers and folk musicians. The Dean Clough Centre stands on what was at one time the biggest carpet factory in the world; it is now a centre for arts and entertainment which offers a variety of exhibitions, workshops and activities throughout the year. All of your retail therapy needs can be taken care of at Harvey’s of Halifax, which remains a traditional and family run department store in a beautiful Victorian building.

Fun for Families

Any family that visits the town of Halifax should pay a visit to the National Children’s Museum known as Eureka. The interactive displays and exhibitions have won numerous awards for their innovative and appealing design. There are activities for the kids and grown-ups alike to get involved in from constructing a magnetic skeleton to exploring in the sound garden. The fun does not just happen indoors here either as there are lots of interactive activities to enjoy outside Eureka too such as the outdoor Playscape or the Wonder Walk.

Enjoy the outdoors by spending some time at Shibden Park and try your hand at the pitch and putt which has long been a favourite with families. Take a trip on the boating lake or enjoy the wonderful model railway that you will find here. At Manor Heath Park you will find a tropical oasis where you would least expect it. Beautiful butterflies, tropical fish and inquisitive terrapins are all here as is some incredible plant life from all over the world. Just remember to keep an eye out for the dinosaurs that live here too! There are a number of festivals that take place here across the year so go online and check out what is happening when you are due to visit.