| DRY DAYS There are plenty of fantastic local walks (and picnic spots) to suit all ages and abilities.
Please ask and we can give advice and lend you maps and guides. Hebden Bridge
www.hebdenbridge.co.uk
With a wealth of good cafes wine bars and pubs, Hebden is a very vibrant little town to spend a day pottering around the quirky shops and galleries (you don't have to buy anything . . ) and walking by the canal. Most parking by ticket.
10 mins in car / bus possible, or 40 mins country walk Gibson Mill and
Hardcastle Crags Nr. Hebden Bridge
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hardcastlecrags
Tel: (01422) 844518
Stunning woodland walk up valley to C.1800 mill, which has been recently restored as sustainable energy showpiece. Small gallery & nice cafe with huge ceramic stove. Free except parking (NT).
15 mins in car / bus to Hebden Yorkshire Sculpture Park Bretton Hall, Just off M1 J38
www.ysp.co.uk
Tel: 01924 832631
Beautiful walking with added sculptural interest. 3 indoor galleries with wide range of art. Good cafe & visitor centre. Make sure you visit the Deer Shelter. Events, courses and exhibitions change regularly. One of our fave family days out. Fine for buggies. Free except parking.
50 mins in car Harewood House Bird Garden
7 miles north of leeds, on A61
www.harewood.org
Tel: 0113-218 1010
Colourful collection in fairly compact area. Playground and good restaurant (in a tent!) Fine for buggies. Formal garden and house to look at too. There are often good family field events on in the summer, as well as concerts.
60 mins in Car Haworth and
Worth Valley Steam Railway
www.haworth-village.org.uk
www.kwvr.co.uk
Tel: 01535 645214 (KWV Railway)
We are only just over the hill from the top (southern) end of the pretty Worth Valley and the Steam Rail terminus at Oxenhope. Why not take this scenic train the few miles to the other end (where it meets the main line at Keighley), before or after stopping for some lunch or tea in the famous Bronte village of Haworth?
20 mins in Car / bus (via Hebden) possible Piece Hall Halifax
Town centre, next to Square Chapel
www.piecehall.info
Tel: (01422) 365151
No, not a typo, this is one of the finest cloth trading halls left in the UK (pieces of cloth).Worth a visit just to see the incredible (1779) collonaded building, but has lots of interesting little shops, and Tourist Info office. Markets and events in courtyard some days.
15 mins in Car / bus possible | | WET DAYS Eureka Museum for Children
In Halifax, next to the train station.
www.eureka.org.uk
Great fun, particularly for the younger kids. Various events through the year.
15 mins in Car / bus possible The Picture House www.hebdenbridge-picturehouse.co.uk
Tel: (01422) 842807
The local council-run flea pit in Hebden Bridge. If like us, you hate multiscreens (and what you pay in them), you'll love it! Wide variety of films (and live entertainment in the eves). Mugs of cheap coffee and home made cake which you can take in, and loads of leg space!
10 mins in car / bus possible There are local swimming pools in Halifax, Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge. If you have half a day to spare, the picturesque car trip (via the pretty village of Heptonstall) over the Pennines to Pendle Wavelengths in Nelson is very worthwhile. It is a modern pool with central spiral shute and a wave machine, and you can sip coffee poolside if you don't want to go in the water.
About 45 mintues drive National Media Museum Bradford
www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk
Tel: 0870 7010200
Fascinating interactive stuff for all ages. The incredible Imax Cinema is also housed here - a bit expensive but very worthwhile. Museum free
40 mins in car / bus or train possible Electric Bowl Bowling Alley
In Halifax, next to Cafe Passion
www.electricbowl.co.uk
Tel: (01422) 301123
The usual razamataz, but smaller and friendlier than some. Good for kids during day and earlier evening. Booking advisable. Cheap morning deals.
15 mins in Car / bus possible Jungle Experience tropical oasis
at Manor Heath Park, Halifax
www.calderdale.gov.uk/manorheath
Tel: (01422) 365631
Fish, quail, terrapin and huge butterflies as well as a collection of plants from all over the world. Enjoy the all year round tropical atmosphere. Picnic tables. Free
15 mins in Car / bus + walk possible Flying Saucers Pottery Painting Cafe
Hebden Bridge
www.flyingsaucerscafe.co.uk
Tel: (01422) 846666
Pretty much as it says on the tin - and a day or 2 later you get something very personal to take home.Good coffee and cake.
10 mins in car / bus possible | | We have been known to occasionally provide child sitting if you want a special "Grown Up" evening out. We have 2 of our own; so it generally works out OK . . . | |
| EATING OUT The Mill Bank Restaurant
In Mill Bank village www.themillbank.co.uk
Tel:(01422) 825588
Very high quality uncomplicated British food in comfortable modern surroundings. Good value if you stick to the set menus. Our all-time favourite. Pretty location. Lovely for lunch when its cheaper and you get the daylight views!
15 mins - Car or taxi only Pajarees Halifax
Tel: (01422) 347575
Scrumptious Thai home cooking. Very child friendly. Good value - located above a shop in the town centre, but don't let that put you off. BYO wine.
15 mins in Car / bus possible Cafe Passion Halifax
Tel: 0871 9614921
Excellent Turkish cuisine. Good for kids. Next door to Electric Bowl in town centre. BYO wine.
15 mins in Car / 30 on bus The above 2 restaurants are handy if you are planning to go to any of the evening entertainment Halifax has to offer. Moyles Restaurant Hebden Br.
www.moyles.com
Tel: (01422) 845 272
Excellent food in modern surroundings. Very good value early deal with/out cinema ticket (Picture House is opposite)
10 mins in Car / bus possible The Maypole Inn Warley
www.maypoleatwarley.co.uk
Tel: (01422) 831106
Good wholesome food in cosy traditional surroundings. Bar or restaurant. Village location.
5 mins in Car / 20 - 30 mins walk but very steep Azrars Spicy House
Tel:(01422)885835
There are lots of good Indian Restaurants in Bradford or Manchester (40 mins by car or train) but our local takaway in Luddenden Foot is as good as anything we've found nearby. They also do pizzas, kebabs and some basic English food for those who don't like it spicy. They deliver. | | EVENINGS The Lord Nelson Luddenden
(picture: www.luddenden.com )
Tel: (01422) 831106
Known as "The Nellie", good friendly local pub in village centre. Excellent beer, no food.
5 mins walk there / 15 mins back (very steep) Cat-I'th-Well Inn
Lower Saltonstall
Tel: (01422)244841
Situated towards the top end of our beautiful valley, it can be a delightful walk lunchtime or summer evening. Good beer, basic food, small play area, great views. Eccentric winter opening hours.
20 - 30 mins walk there, possibly longer coming back . . . Square Chapel Centre for Arts
In Halifax, near Piece Hall and train station.
www.squarechapel.co.uk
Box Office: (01422) 349422
Admin: (01422) 353073
Magnificent 18th c. brick building (saved from demoltion in 1988) offering a wide variety of concerts and performances.
15 mins in Car / bus possible Dean Clough Viaduct Theatre
Centre for Arts In Halifax
www.deanclough.com
Box Office: (01422) 255266
Housed, along with the famous Art Galleries in the colossal former Crossleys carpet mill (largest in the world, apparently . . .). Also occasional Jazz Evenings in the gallery. Nice cafe, and posh Design House Restaurant. Directions - you can't miss it, its got the name in 10 ft letters on top! Ticket parking free eves/weekends.
20 mins in Car / bus possible Trades Club Hebden Bridge
www.tradesclub.info
Tel: (01422) 845265
Well known northern venue for live pop and folk. Used to be a bit of a smokey dive - but not any more. Not child friendly. You have to join as a member on entry, unless signed in
10 mins in Car / bus possible Theatres:
Victoria Halifax
www.victoriatheatre.co.uk
Box office Tel: (01422) 351158
Alhambra Bradford
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
Box office Tel: 01274 43200
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