Huddersfield
Happy days!
This colourful market town showcases an impressive legacy that today has evolved into an exciting hotbed of contemporary activity, and was recently voted the 3rd happiest place in the UK!
Built to last
You'll be treated to impressive architecture at every turn - Huddersfield has over 1600 listed buildings – top 3 in the UK.
The town's original legend is Castle Hill, one of Yorkshire's most important early Iron Age hill forts, with spectacular views from Victoria Tower – built to mark Queen Victoria’s 60th Jubilee Year. Uncover Huddersfield’s past at Tolson Museum, including Britain's rarest car - the three-wheeled LSD - manufactured in Huddersfield between 1919 and 1924. Explore Huddesfield's ghostly haunts on the Shuddersfield trail.
Birthplace of rugby league
On August 29 1895, 21 clubs from Yorkshire and Lancashire met at the George Hotel in Huddersfield and formed Northern Rugby Union – in 1922 this became the Rugby Football League. Trace the games history at The Rugby League Heritage Centre in The George Hotel. You’ll find historic footage, The British Rugby League Hall of Fame and memorabilia including rare shirts, medals, trophies, caps programmes and photographs.
Home of our fantastic rugby league team The Huddersfield Giants, and Huddersfield Town Football Club, The John Smiths Stadium is one of Yorkshire’s leading sporting, leisure and music venues, and hosts the England V Ireland game on 2 November 2013 for the Rugby League World Cup.
A taste explosion
Many pubs in Huddersfield offer award-winning brews and regularly feature in CAMRA publications; The Grove, The Rat & Ratchett (Cider pub of the year 2012) and The Sportsman to name a few. Follow in the footsteps of Oz and James and create your own trail on the Transpennine Real Ale Trail.
Thousands of dedicated foodies descend on the town Centre for four days of indulgence and entertainment devoted to the sights, smells and tastes of local and international food at the Huddersfield Food and Drink Festival every August. Search The Huddersfield Food Guide to find your perfect venue; for sensational Caribbean flavor, visit award winning Discovery Bay
Get away from it all
Water cascades, ornamental gardens, a glittering atrium and exuberant bandstands are waiting to be explored in two of the finest parks from the Victorian Era, Greenhead and Beaumont. Enjoy lunch by the canal at Aspley Basin – where The Huddersfield Narrow and Huddersfield Broad Canal’s meet.
A circular walk around Scammonden reservoir takes you through a range of updland habitats – it’s also home to the increasingly rare bird, the Twite. Alternatively, sit back and relax at Alexandra House Spa with a hot stone massage and chocolate facial.
A cultural extravaganza
LBT stages exciting and awe-inspiring theatre from family opera and theatrical classics to contemporary dance and comedy. Huddersfield art gallery showcases local painters and photographers alongside commissioned artists' displays all year round.
One of the biggest annual events is the Festival of Light, entertaining thousands with international street theatre and fireworks. Or experience a riot of music and dance at the summertime Caribbean Carnival. World-famous Huddersfield Choral Society is usually one of the acts included in the varied programme at the Town Hall, while Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, is acclaimed as one of the finest events of its type in the world.
There's a dizzying choice of live music and performance in bars, pubs and clubs; and the town has a growing number of independent and one-off boutiques, dotted all over the town centre with a great mix in the revitalised Byram Arcade. Pick up a bargain at Huddersfield Market, and visit Kingsgate for the latest high street trends.