west yorkshire tourist board

Places to visit in West Yorkshire

The charming northern county of West Yorkshire promises vibrant cities, industrial heritage towns and pretty Pennine villages in equal doses. There’s no shortage of things to do in West Yorkshire. Drop into cosmopolitan Leeds for museums and galleries and elegant shopping centres, feel the wind in your hair on Pennine trails and cycle ways, visit Bradford for Victorian industrial heritage and grand city parks, or pack a copy of Wuthering Heights and head to Haworth to explore Brontë-country villages and vales in this inspiring literary county. With so many places to visit in West Yorkshire, you’ll soon be planning your return trip.

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24 hours in Leeds

Victorian warehouses and shiny 21st-century architecture collide to awesome effect in this gritty Yorkshire city.

See the light at the end of the tunnel

Standedge Tunnel, in the heart of the Pennine countryside, is the longest canal tunnel in Britain.

Location: Marsden, Yorkshire

Nine floors of silver-screens

A visit to the National Media Museum is a must if you love photography, film, television, animation, gaming or the internet.

Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire

Life in Victorian Bradford

Founded by Sir Titus Salt in 1853, Saltaire is a UNESCO World Heritage site and remains a living, working 19th century village.

Location: Saltaire, West Yorkshire

Ride the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

This exciting heritage steam railway runs through the picturesque Yorkshire countryside where the classic movie The Railway Children was filmed.

Location: Keighley, West Yorkshire

Walk in the footsteps of the famous Brontë sisters

Visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum and explore the beautiful home and surroundings that inspired classic Brontë novels.

Location: Haworth, West Yorkshire

Rainy Day Activities: Discover military history at The Royal Armouries

Britain’s national museum of arms and armour is home to a fascinating and unique collection, including the only existing suit of armour built for an elephant.

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire

Splash your cash in Victoria Leeds

A haven for designer brands, Victoria Leeds is the destination for luxury shopping.

Embrace the pop-up dining trend at Trinity Kitchen

Take your pick from a mix of vibrant restaurants and street food vans all under one roof.

Visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle

Celebrate 200 of the world’s greatest artists at 4 leading arts venues in Yorkshire.

Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Raise a glass of English wine at Holmfirth Vineyard

How about a glass of English wine? That’s award-winning English wine. Come to Holmfirth Vineyard and discover their home-grown delight.

Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Enjoy a tipple at Pure Cider North

Cider anyone? Head to Deanhouse Farm, nestled in the Holme Valley and enjoy a sup or two of local, artisan cider producer, Rob North’s passion.

Visit England’s highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel

All aboard! Take a seat on the glass topped boat and take a journey into the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the country.

Location: Marsden, West Yorkshire

Calling all food lovers to Holmfirth Food and Drink Festival

A weekend of tasty treats, markets, live music and entertainment in Holmfirth.

November events: Get inspired at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

Listen along to amazing performances at the UK’s largest international festival of new and experimental music.

Location: Huddersfield , West Yorkshire

Take in a weekend of jazz at Marsden Jazz Festival

Hear old school traditional to cutting-edge contemporary jazz at Marsden Jazz Festival.

July events: Holmfirth Art Week

Over 400 artists combine art, music, comedy, theatre and literature for the UK's largest open art exhibition.

Explore an ecological paradise at Marsden Moor

Walk, cycle or climb your way across this rugged wild landscape steeped in history that has inspired people since prehistoric times.

Industry meets art at Salts Mill

Packed to its Victorian rafters with independent traders and the largest collection of David Hockney’s work.

Make yourself at home at Harewood House

This 18th century home is filled with fine art and surrounded by gardens and parkland that is home to many animals including flamingos and penguins.

Location: Harewood, West Yorkshire

Explore the magnificent ruins of Kirkstall Abbey

This atmospheric 12th-century abbey is one of the most complete Cistercian monasteries in Britain, surrounded by tranquil tree-filled parkland.

Location: Leeds, Yorkshire

Unleash your inner explorer at Tropical World

Set off on a journey through the jungle, the desert and below the surface of the water to discover all of the creatures who call them home.

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A grand gothic cathedral, Viking heritage and Roman city walls. York is quite literally steeped in history. This North Yorkshire city can be seen from every angle.

Yorkshire Dales & Harrogate

With its patchwork green valleys, craggy cliff faces and farmland laced with limestone walls, it’s little wonder that the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a film star in its own right.

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Things to do in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire is a northern county particularly packed with cultural attractions, from the award-winning market town of Hebden Bridge on its western edge, to the incredible Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle in the east of the area. There’s so much going on in West Yorkshire, in fact, that we’ve dedicated two separate guides to Bradford in the north – including Ilkley and Saltaire – and to the wonderful city of Leeds . Here, though, we explore the siren call of Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield, all of which call this great county their home.

Discover the thriving cultural scene in Hebden Bridge , driven by a tight-knit community and spanning the legendary Trades Club , Picture House , bustling market and annual arts festival. Explore Halifax , the former heart of the English wool trade, where the oldest remaining cloth hall in Europe has been transformed into a hub for heritage , shopping and culinary delights – or Shibden Hall , filming location for BBC One series Gentleman Jack .

Or perhaps Huddersfield takes your fancy: why not, when the town is home to the UK’s largest international festival of contemporary music , an award-winning literature festival and the UK’s first eco spa . For more of the best things to do in West Yorkshire, including Wakefield ‘s £35m art museum The Hepworth , and the outstanding locations in the surrounding area, read on.

What's on in West Yorkshire

To mark the start of autumn The Hepworth Wakefield are hosting a Harvest Festival filled with local stall holders, activities and exhibitions.

Igshaan Adams’s opulent textile works takes centre stage at his solo exhibition ‘Weerhoud’ at the Hepworth Wakefield.

Sylvia Snowden’s visceral paintings are best experienced at first hand so visit the Hepworth Wakefield to see this fascinating display.

Play and learn with your pre-schoolers this September at the National Coal Mining Museum.

The sculptures of Elisabeth Frink are now on display at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, in the new show ‘Natural Connection’.

Where to go in West Yorkshire

The stunning Manor House Lindley in Huddersfield showcases high-end dining full of personality.

Based in the town centre and easily accessible, Huddersfield Art Gallery is home to an extensive and stunning collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures.

This live-music speakeasy makes it own tradition. A cosy prohibition bar with cocktail teapots and vinyl DJs…

Independent gallery based in Hebden Bridge.

Situated in the beautiful gardens of Akroyd Park, Bankfield Museum is a grand Victorian villa with permanent exhibitions of textiles and costume, as well as varying temporary exhibitions also.

One of West Yorkshire’s leading venues for live theatre.

A beautiful and varied collection of contemporary art from across the UK. Their regular exhibitions are both seasonal and thematic and always worth visiting…

Smile Bar & Venue lives up to its name as a lively ‘jack of all trades’ in Huddersfield.

What was once, in the 1950s, a family ran art shop, has since evolved through the generations into a successful series of galleries across the north.

Chol Theatre are a powerfully creative company based in Huddersfield Yorkshire, but take their work all across the UK.

High quality cocktails and vibrant live music is what makes Jocks Cavern so popular. This underground bar offers an intimate and effervescent atmosphere to indulge in their well-stocked bar.

In the heart of Wakefield this basement bar, ‘high end, low brow’ by their own description, remains a popular watering hole.

West Yorkshire Visitor Guides

A round-up of the best walks in Hebden Bridge, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.

The North of England is blessed with countless stunning stately homes, many dating back decades and even centuries. Here are some of the very best.

Here’s our guide to the best hotels in the North East of England, including Hedben Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Our guide to the best attractions in West Yorkshire, including Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside, Huddersfield is steeped in history and holds its own when it comes to arts and culture. Our Walks in Huddersfield Guide takes in many of the sites plus some glorious green spaces and parks.

A round-up of the best walks in Wakefield, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.

A round-up of the best walks in Halifax – including the cultural sites, parks and surrounding countryside by Creative Tourist.

Our guide to the best shops in West Yorkshire, including independents and markets in Hebden Bridge, Huddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield.

West Yorkshire District Guides

Courses and Workshops in the North

Spanning an array of visual and textile arts, explore courses and workshops based in some of the North’s most distinctive locations.

Other Destinations

Wakefield is the place to be this summer, with fantastic family activities, ambitious street performances and amazing art on display.

We take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.

Our guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.

Our guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.

Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.

Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.

Our guide to Leeds, a hub of northern creativity, the metropolis of Yorkshire and one of the greenest cities in the UK.

All About Yorkshire

Explore West Yorkshire: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Explore West Yorkshire , a region where history resonates through vibrant cities, quaint towns, and rolling landscapes. Whether you’re drawn to the cultural buzz of Leeds , the literary legacy of Haworth , or the natural beauty of the Pennines , West Yorkshire offers a plethora of experiences. Discover a place where every corner tells a story, from ancient abbeys to modern museums, and find out why this captivating region is a must-visit for travellers seeking the essence of Yorkshire .

Cities in West Yorkshire

The largest city in West Yorkshire , Leeds is a hub of shopping, dining, and entertainment, with a thriving arts scene, numerous museums, and a vibrant nightlife. (Click for our Leeds visitors guide)

Known for its rich industrial past, Bradford boasts impressive architecture, the National Science and Media Museum , and a UNESCO City of Film designation. (Click for our Bradford visitors guide)

Explore Wakefield’s cultural offerings, including the Hepworth Wakefield Gallery , and its beautiful cathedral, set in a city with a strong historical essence. (Click for our Wakefield visitors guide)

Towns in West Yorkshire:

Known for its Five Rise Locks on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal , Bingley is a charming town that offers a mix of outdoor activities and historic sites. (Click for our Bingley visitors guide)

A town with a rich textile heritage, Dewsbury’s market is one of the best in the region, complemented by its historic minster and town hall. (Click for our Dewsbury visitors guide)

Discover Halifax’s industrial heritage, visit the iconic Piece Hall , and enjoy the town’s burgeoning cultural scene. (Click for our Halifax visitors guide)

Hebden Bridge

This vibrant town is known for its artistic community, independent shops, and stunning surrounding landscapes, making it a popular destination for visitors. (Click for our Hebden Bridge visitors guide)

Huddersfield

With its stunning Victorian architecture, Huddersfield offers a blend of history, shopping, and parks, including the beautiful Greenhead Park . (Click for our Huddersfield visitors guide)

Famous for its moorland and the ancient Ilkley Moor stones, Ilkley is a picturesque town that also boasts a renowned spa heritage. (Click for our Ilkley visitors guide)

Close to the Brontë Country , Keighley offers rich industrial heritage and is home to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway , a heritage steam line. (Click for our Keighley visitors guide)

A picturesque market town, Otley is set on the banks of the River Wharfe and is surrounded by beautiful countryside, offering numerous walking and cycling routes. (Click for our Otley visitors guide)

With Salts Mill and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire , Shipley is a town that blends cultural history with natural beauty. (Click for our Shipley visitors guide)

A historic market town, Wetherby is known for its racecourse, charming town centre, and scenic riverside walks. (Click for our Wetherby visitors guide)

Popular Places in West Yorkshire:

The charming village of Haworth is synonymous with the Brontë sisters , offering visitors a step back in time with its preserved cobbled streets and Brontë Parsonage Museum . (Click for our Haworth visitors guide)

Nestled in the Holme Valley , Holmfirth is famously associated with the long-running TV series “ Last of the Summer Wine ” and offers a charming visitor experience with its quaint shops and cafes. (Click for our Holmfirth visitors guide)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site , Saltaire is famed for its well-preserved Victorian era Salt’s Mill and model village, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s industrial history. (Click for our Saltaire visitors guide)

Attractions in West Yorkshire:

• Kirkstall Abbey : Explore the ruins of this impressive 12th-century Cistercian monastery in Leeds, set in a beautiful public park (website) .
• Yorkshire Sculpture Park : Located in Wakefield, this open-air gallery showcases works by international artists, set within 500 acres of rolling countryside (website) .
• Royal Armouries Museum : Situated in Leeds, this national museum displays a vast collection of arms and armor from across the world (website) .

Activities in West Yorkshire:

• Walking and Hiking : With access to the Pennines and numerous country parks, West Yorkshire is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
• Cultural Exploration : Dive into the region’s cultural offerings with theatre visits, art gallery tours, and museum explorations across its cities and towns.
• Historical Discovery : Uncover West Yorkshire’s past through its castles, historic homes, and heritage sites, offering insights into the county’s fascinating history.

West Yorkshire is a region that promises adventure, culture, and relaxation. Whether you’re exploring urban centers, enjoying the great outdoors, or delving into history, this county offers a rich tapestry of experiences, ensuring every visitor leaves with lasting memories and a desire to return.

Accessibility

Culture dale, hidden in full view, globally local, happily lost, event hosting, happy valley, welcome to calderdale.

Located in West Yorkshire, Calderdale is the southernmost of the Yorkshire Dales and part of the beautiful South Pennines area of river valleys, moorland and hill country. Whilst not as well-known as its Northern neighbours, as it doesn’t fall within the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Calderdale has a tremendous amount to offer you, time after time. Few locations offer this blend of beauty and history in such a small place. Our location in Pennine Yorkshire gives us the wonderful rivers, hills, valleys, and moorland, but Calderdale is much more than beauty and great views.

Discover our Year of Culture

Enjoy West Yorkshire: A 48-hour Itinerary

Discover what’s on in Calderdale, whether you’re here this weekend, this month, or are planning ahead if you’re not yet able to visit.

Arts & Literature

If you’re after sophisticated journey around the artistic highlights of Calderdale, look no further than this exciting mix of attractions & activities.

Easy Family Fun

Fun for all the family with our selection of family-friendly highlights from around Calderdale with a host of attractions suitable for adults and children.

Heritage Highlights

Iconic, rich in history and not to be missed – visit some of Calderdale’s best heritage highlights…

Globally local.

Leisure & outdoors, attractions, food & drink, upcoming events, places to stay, services & information, culture & heritage, what we're talking about.

The Halifax and Calderdale Heritage Festival is back and bigger than ever…

Get ready to celebrate a decade of heritage and history! The Halifax Heritage Festival is back for its 10th anniversary from September 6th to 15th, 2024, and it’s bigger and better than ever. Dive into a week filled with tours, trails, talks, family fun days, open days, exhibitions, shows, music, and so much more – all with free access to some of the most stunning heritage buildings around....

Discover Laughter in the Heart of Yorkshire: The Halifax Comedy Festival

The Halifax Comedy Festival is back and going on tour from 17-27 October! An event that brings a burst of energy, laughter, and joy to Calderdale. Whether you’re a fan of stand-up, improv, or just looking for a good time, this festival is your go-to destination for a comedy experience like no other. The Halifax Comedy Festival is a celebration of all things funny, offering a diverse lineup of performances that appeal to every sense of humour. The festival transforms various venues across the borough into stages where both established comedians and rising stars deliver side-splitting performances....

Exploring Calderdale’s Historic Routes: The Magna Via, Wakefield Gate, and the Calderdale Way

This year, Heritage Open Days are celebrating the theme of ‘Routes and Connections’, exploring how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history. Calderdale certainly has its fair share of historic routes – the landscape is etched with ancient pathways that have been trodden for centuries. ...

discover your inner child at eureka! the national children’s museum. EXPLORE CALDERDALE BY BOAT ALONG THE ROCHDALE CANAL. EXPERIENCE A HEAD-RUSH DOING ONE OF THE MANY ADRENALINE FILLED SPORTS YOU CAN TRY.

Good things to know.

Calderdale is an accessible destination where visitors can have their equipment and access needs met while enjoying their stay.

Guides & Trails

Explore our Visitor Guide, a literary map to follow and explore locations where iconic films and TV series have been showt in Calderdale.

Getting around

Find out how to get in and around Calderdale with frequent transport, whether that is by bus, train, road, cycling, or walking.

Group travel

Ideally located off major routes, getting here couldn’t be easier – your group will be able to arrive relaxed and raring to go.

#Visit Calderdale

need more information?

We can provide a whole host of inspirational advice and information on where to stay, where to eat and what to do whilst staying in ‘magnificently modest’ Calderdale.

Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Places to Visit in West Yorkshire

15 Best Places to Visit in West Yorkshire

If you need the fun and culture of a city, Leeds should be your starting point in West Yorkshire, but the dales and moors in the countryside must not be missed.

Adding layers of interest and excitement to rural West Yorkshire is the roll call of cultural giants associated with these villages and towns, from the Brontë sisters to Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and J.M.W. Turner.

One look at the wild moors at Keighley and Haworth and you’ll be transported to Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

If you’re into industrial history, Yorkshire was the wool capital of the world in the 1800s and lots of those imposing old mills are now listed buildings, converted into museums or local amenities.

This city was reborn in the 1990s, bouncing back from the decline of the textile industry that was its lifeblood to become the second largest financial centre in the UK. The two universities also give Leeds a youthful and alternative edge and it’s now a prosperous and dynamic city bursting with culture, dining, nightlife, shopping and sights.

You have to see the beautiful amenities built for the wealthy citizens in 19th century, like the Leeds Corn Exchange, the City Varieties Music Hall and Grand Theatre, or the exquisite shopping arcades.

The Exchange Quarter has become a stylish destination for nights out and dining, and there are first-class museums like the Royal Armouries and the Thackray Medical Museum.

2. Bradford

One of the big centres for the woollen textile industry, the city of Bradford has kept hold of a great deal of its 18th and 19th century heritage.

It doesn’t get grander than Little Germany, which got its name from the Germany Jewish merchants who constructed ornate warehouses to store and sell woollen goods manufactured in the local mills.

These magnificent buildings have been converted, so Little Germany is still a thriving commercial district, with offices and places to shop.

The Bradford Industrial Museum is in the former Moorside Mills and conserves printing and textile machinery, a lot of which has been kept in working order.

And if you’re partial to Indian and Pakistani food you can’t go wrong in Bradford, which has some of the best curry restaurants in England.

3. Wakefield

In industrial times Wakefield was a textiles and coal city: In the village of Overton just to the southwest is the riveting National Mining Museum, in the buildings of the old Caphouse Colliery.

For something more ancient, the spire of the medieval gothic cathedral is still the tallest structure in Wakefield, soaring to 75 metres.

The cathedral was restored in the 19th century but if you go into the choir you’ll be in the former chancel, which has 15th-century bosses carved into the ceiling.

Come back to modern times with the bold new Hepworth Gallery, named for the 20th-century sculptor Barbara Hepworth, a Wakefield native.

More than 40 of her works are on show, as well as pieces by Henry Moore, who was born in Wakefield’s Castleford district.

The large market town of Halifax has been spinning wool since the 1400s, and of course, this business really took off in the Industrial Revolution.

For a humungous slab of industrial history, Dean Clough was one of the world’s biggest carpet factories when it was built in the mid-1850s.

This Grade II-listed complex is slightly north of Halifax and along its half-mile length are now 150 local businesses, including a radio station.

Shibden Hall is an older delight, with a Tudor timber-framed facade, and a team of volunteers happy to recount stories about former occupants of a manor that goes back to the 1400s.

In the out-buildings are old workshops, preserving a traditional tannery, brewery, stables and basket-weaving shop.

5. Huddersfield

Now a university town, Huddersfield grew quickly in the 1700s when it was taken over by woollen textiles mills.

For a voyage back to industrial times you could book a barge ride through the 3-mile-long Standedge Tunnels on the old Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The sandstone Castle Hill is just to the south of Huddersfield and was the site of some sort of fortification from the Bronze Age onwards.

In 1899, to celebrate Victoria’s record-breaking silver jubilee, a 30-metre stone tower was placed at the crest.

Make the walk for photo-worthy panoramas of Huddersfield laid out in the Holme and Colne valleys below.

In the 1700s the local spring was ascribed health-giving properties and Ilkley  became a spa town.

Wealthy people would come from far and wide to take “hydropathic” treatments, and one of these was Charles Darwin in 1859, at the very time On the Origin of Species was being published.

There’s still an upmarket atmosphere in Ilkley, underlined by the broad streets and sweet Victorian houses with independent shops, tea rooms and award-winning restaurants.

Now people stay in Ilkley to escape to the Yorkshire Dales, and the 84-mile Dales Way trail starts at the Old Bridge right by the centre of town.

Lastly, the All Saints Church is a blend of Victorian and medieval gothic architecture, but you need to look inside to see the three Saxon crosses, dating to the 8th century.

7. Saltaire

There was no such place as Saltaire until the 1850s when the industrialist Sir Titus Salt established his colossal woollen mill next to the River Aire and added streets of handsome cottages for his workers.

This model village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, “model” meaning a place of reference.

All of the houses in Saltaire are listed buildings, and the most protected is the Unified Reformed Church, with an Italianate Classical design drawn up by Salt himself.

In 1986 Jonathan Silver, the same man who helped to convert Halifax’s Dean Clough, bought Salt’s Mill and started turning it into shops, offices and leisure facilities.

Don’t miss the gallery devoted to David Hockney, a native of Bradford.

8. Keighley

If ever there were a location that crystallises the spirit of the Brontë novels it’s Keighley.

The National Trust property East Riddelsden Hall has actually been  a shooting location for a TV adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights.

While the countryside of the Keighley Moors and Airedale has the rugged sandstone hills that may send you into romantic reverie.

Or you could sit back and watch the beautiful Worth Valley roll by on the Keighley and Worth Valley Heritage Railway, which still uses steam and diesel locomotives.

In a moody Victorian manor is the Cliffe Castle Museum, which has all kinds of interesting oddities like Victorian costume, fossils, an Egyptian mummy, a mineral collection and machinery and tools relating to local trades and industry.

9. Pontefract

At one time the market town of Pontefract was said to have had the most pubs per square mile in Britain.

While that can’t be true today there are lots of establishments to call in on for a pint and some warming grub.

The big landmark is Pontefract Castle, which has been an eerie ruin since the 17th-century English Civil War when the royalist forces were besieged several times by the Parliamentarians.

Earlier, King Richard II is claimed to have died in Pontefract Castle, and his supposed death at this place is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Richard III.

10. Haworth

Then immerse yourself even more in the mysterious world of the Brontë sisters at Haworth, where the former Brontë family property has been kept as a museum.

All the three sisters spent the majority of their lives in this very house, and nearly all of the objects in the rooms belonged to them.

Hike along the nature trail over the moors to the Brontë Waterfall, a picturesque walk southwest of the village.

You could also show yourself around the Haworth parish church, where their father Patrick Brontë was the minister until 1861.

11. Hebden Bridge

Simultaneously picturesque and defiantly alternative, Hebden Bridge is populated by artists and new age types.

The market town is described as the lesbian capital of the UK, home to a women-only disco and fabled music venue, the Trades Club.

The likes of Damo Suzuki, Nico and Patti Smith have all played here.

If you’re feeling fit you can make the climb up the steep hill to the village of Heptonstall.

Road traffic is banned in this adorable little settlement so if you do come by car you’ll need to park up outside and enter the cobblestone lanes on foot.

In the secondary graveyard at the St. Thomas the Apostle Church is the burial place of the beloved American poet Sylvia Plath.

12. Holmfirth

An adorable little town folded into the Peak District’s heather moorland, Holmfirth is all sandstone cottages and townhouses.

The fondly-remembered BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine was filmed in the countryside and outside buildings around Holmfirth.

Many people find themselves in the town for a gig at the Picturedrome, an old cinema converted into a live music venue where artists like Adam Ant and the Buzzcocks have all played.

While others come for the the access to the majestic, undulating landscapes of the Holme Valley, a rambler’s dream.

Nestling in the Wharfdale valley, Otley’s a pretty town that J.M.W. Turner would often visit to paint and see his patron, Walter Ramsden Fawkes.

Weave your way up through forest, heather and meadows to the summit of the Chevin, a 282-metre escarpment.

On the way up there’s a megalithic boundary of big sandstone slabs lining the path.

At “surprise view” you’re granted exhilarating vistas over Otley and lower Wharfdale, which opens out behind.

The River Wharf is beautiful in Otley and a lot of the north bank is parkland taking in the weir and the solemn old tannery and wool mills by the water.

14. Kirkstall

Your main motivation to drive or get the train from Leeds City Centre to this northwestern suburb is for Kirkstall Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery that was left to fall into ruin after the 16th-century Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Despite being abandoned for 500 years the ruins are remarkably complete and great fun to explore, as the cloister, chapter house and church nave are all easy to identify.

J.M.W. Turner also painted this scene in the 1797.

15. Wetherby

The meandering River Wharfe in Wetherby is uncommonly picturesque and you can get down to the banks to see their weir and a large gear from a mill that used to stand here.

The subject of most photos is Wetherby Bridge, which was built in the 1200s and was once on the Great North Road, running from London to Edinburgh.

J.M.W. Turner came by in 1816 and painted this very scene.

The local Wetherby Racecourse was known for being the only course in Yorkshire that not only hosted national hunt (jump) meetings, but put on its first flat race 2015.

15 Best Places to Visit in West Yorkshire:

• Huddersfield
• Hebden Bridge

Visit Yorkshire!

Welcome to england's premier county, on this site you can find the information you need for a visit to yorkshire.

• Check out Visitor Guides to the Yorkshire Dales , York , North York Moors , Yorkshire Coast , Yorkshire Wolds , towns and villages
• Explore Yorkshire with our interactive maps
• Find accommodation in our Where to Stay in Yorkshire section
• View details of Yorkshire's leading attractions in our What to See and Do section

We hope you enjoy this website

• Next 7 days
• Next 30 days
• Wakefield Sculpture Trail
• Art & Sculpture
• Museums & Heritage
• Music, Theatre & Film
• Nature & Outdoors
• Sport & Adventure
• Family Friendly
• All Attractions
• Home of Art & Sculpture
• Insider Guides
• Read Our Visitor Guide
• Sign Up to Our Mailing List

Places to Stay

• Food & Drink
• Getting Here
• Group Travel
• Doorstep Discoveries

EXPERIENCE THE CREATIVE HEART OF YORKSHIRE

Welcome to experience wakefield, your online portal for everything happening in the wakefield district., top highlights.

Music Performance Theatre

AT Theatre Royal Wakefield

ON Thu 19 Sep 2024 - Sat 21 Sep 2024

Exhibition Our Year

Babeworld: No Sleep Just Clouds

AT The Art House

Now - Sat 26 Oct 2024

View all events

Activity Adventure Families Festival Food and Drink Our Year

Farmer Copleys’ Pumpkin Festival

Exhibition Heritage Our Year

84/85 – The Longest Year

Ronald Moody: Sculpting Life

Yorkshire Scare Grounds Halloween

Festival Food and Drink Our Year

Peddler Market Wakefield

Talk Theatre

Death in The Theatre

Families Heritage Our Year

Nostell Fire Garden

Families Music Our Year Performance Theatre

Discover Our Year - Wakefield District 2024!

It's our time to shine in 2024 as the Wakefield district enjoys 366 days of culture and creativity for everyone!

Food Experiences in Wakefield this Autumn

Our guide to fabulous food experiences this autumn in Wakefield. From the Harvest Festival at The Hepworth Wakefield to Peddler’s award-winning st...

Wakefield Heritage Open Days

Discover the charm and history of Wakefield during Heritage Open Days. Explore hidden places, hear new stories, and try new experiences.

Current Art and Sculpture Events

There are loads of Art and Sculpture events and exhibitions happening throughout May and June, so to make it easier for you, we thought we’d pull them together in one place!

20 Things You Can Only Do in West Yorkshire

We’ve come up with the ultimate list of experiences, attractions and events you’ll only find in West Yorkshire; featuring top recommendations and insider tips.

Attractions

View all Attractions

The Hepworth Wakefield

Theatre Royal Wakefield

Adventure Family Attraction Sports Leisure Venue Tourist Attraction

Xscape Yorkshire

Family Attraction Museum

National Coal Mining Museum

Country Park Family Attraction Gallery Tourist Attraction

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Family Attraction Landmark or Historical Building Park Tourist Attraction

Nostell, National Trust

Landmark or Historical Building Place of Worship

Wakefield Cathedral

Artist Studio Arts Centre Family Attraction Gallery

The Art House

PSST! WANT TO BE IN THE KNOW?

Sign up to the Experience Wakefield newsletter and be the first to hear about all the latest events, exhibitions, activities, competitions and much more…

Places to eat & drink

Hotel Restaurant

Waterton Park Hotel & Walton Hall

The Boathouse Newmillerdam

Tet Restaurant

The Golden Pineapple

Wentbridge House Hotel

View all places to stay

Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel

Holiday Inn Express Wakefield

Welcome to wakefield.

Slaithwaite

West yorkshire, welcome to slaithwaite.

Slaithwaite is a large, vibrant village in the Pennine foothills, known as 'Slawit' by the locals. It is located by the River Colne and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal on the Transpennine rail route between Huddersfield and Manchester. Named as best place to live in the North and North East by the Sunday Times in 2022, the village has the distinctive architectural character of a former textile mill town. Slaithwaite has strong music traditions, an arty vibe and a vibrant community spirit too. Scroll down to see our buzzing bars, traditional pubs, and a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and shops!

Browse The Town

Bars and Restaurants

Where to Stay

Community Groups

Things for Children

Music, Arts and Culture

Health and Wellbeing

Sports and Leisure

Business Centres

Hair and Beauty

Environmental Groups