The "Calderdale Heritage Walks" programmes are provided as a courtesy to our visitors. Please mention Caldernet if you do attend any of the walks. Many thanks.

Our well-researched walks explain the history of local towns and villages and their fascinating features. For 2007 we've added new walks at Luddenden, Mytholmroyd, Rastrick, Hebden Bridge, Barkisland, Old Town, Lightcliffe, Sowerby, and these are marked µ to indicate their first presentation .

Walks are about 2 hours, circular and fairly easy walking, unless otherwise stated.  Stout shoes are needed at rural venues.  Our walks are not normally suitable for under 13s, but the walk on 16 Sept. is suitable for young people 8+ with their parents.

Most walks are £3.00 each (regardless of age) and booking is not needed, just turn up on the day. But see special notes regarding the 'Outlaws & Nuns' walks.

The programme is produced with the co-operation of Calderdale Countryside Service. Our thanks also to other sections of Calderdale MBC for their continued assistance.

Sunday 29 April

“A LITTLE VILLAGE OF STONES …”

Ripponden's fine buildings, long textile history, and the changes of more recent years make a fascinating story going back 1,000 years plus. Repeated 4 July.

Meet Anne Kirker at 2.15 p.m. by Ripponden Parish Church gates.

Sunday 6 May

SOWERBY VILLAGE µ 

A village which was formerly quite important with Vikings, medieval lords, the Civil War, a glorious Church, and non-conformity of incredible intensity a century ago. It's all here !

Meet David Nortcliffe at 2.15 p.m. by the Parish Church gate in Sowerby.

Sunday 13 May

TED HUGHES' MYTHOLMROYD

Memories of Mytholmroyd in the 1930s through the words of the former Poet Laureate, and our premier local poet, set in their historical context. Repeated 19 August.

Meet John Billingsley at 2.15 p.m. by the foot of the steps to the eastbound platform of Mytholmroyd station. Please park at public carparks in the village

Friday 18 May

THE COLONEL AND HIS VILLAGE

The story of Colonel Edward Akroyd, his business, his life, his village and his legacy. Includes a fascinating walk through the Conservation Area.

Meet David Nortcliffe at 7.15 p.m. on Northgate, Halifax, across the road from Dews' car showroom.

Sunday 20 May

SOWERBY BRIDGE

This town is largely a product of the Industrial Revolution. Learn more about it, and the old roads, turnpikes, canals and railways which were a major factor in its evolution.

Meet Ed. Westbrook at 2.15 p.m. by the statue at the entrance to Sowerby Bridge canal basin.

Wednesday 23 May

MILL BANK

A fascinating (and updated) tour of this historic, attractive and relatively little known village. It has far more history than you'd ever imagine !

Meet Anne Kirker at 7.15 p.m. by the bus shelter near Mill Bank School.

Sunday 27 May

WAINHOUSE TRAIL

The story of J.E. Wainhouse, his Tower and his properties nearby. Hear about his famous feud with Sir Henry Edwards. (Does not include access to the Tower). Repeated 26 August.

Meet Ed Westbrook at 2.15 p.m. near the foot of Wainhouse Tower – access on foot from Wakefield Gate (off Skircoat Moor Rd.), Halifax.

Bank Holiday Monday 28 May

OUTLAWS & NUNS

Visit the private Kirklees Estate by arrangement with Lady Armytage. See the Nunnery site, late medieval Home Farm, and Robin Hood's Grave. The Guides are Margaret & David Nortcliffe.

There are special arrangements for these walks which must be pre-booked and cost £ 4 per head. There will be several walks on site during the day.  Repeated 30 Sept.

Book them at Hebden Bridge Visitor & Canal Centre, Butler's Wharf, New Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8AF in person; by phone on 01422 843831 with a credit card (booking fee applies); or by post with full payment (cheques to 'Calderdale MBC'). We regret it will not be possible to join these particular walks on the day.

The walk is about 1¼ miles, partly on woodland paths and strong shoes are advised. Detailed arrangements regarding times and directions are sent with tickets. There are no buses to Kirklees Estate on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Wednesday 30 May

FUSTIANOPOLIS 

Dust off your corduroys and step back in time to the places and the stories behind the rise and fall of the Hebden Bridge textile industry - once 'The Fustian Centre of the World' !

Meet Liz Watkins at 7.15 p.m. by Hebden Bridge Visitor & Canal Centre, Butler's Wharf, New Road. 

Sunday 3 June

500 YEARS OF TEXTILES

A walk through the picturesque twin villages of Lumbutts and Mankinholes looking at their history, and particularly, the links to textiles through the centuries.

Meet David Nortcliffe at 2.15 p.m. by Lumbutts Chapel on the road linking the two villages.

Friday 8 June

OLD TOWN µ

A new walk through this quiet village on the moorland edge. A settlement which was once much more important and with lots of history. Stout footwear needed. Repeated 2^nd Sept.

Meet John Billingsley at 7.15 p.m. by the school, at the east end of the village. Please park with consideration.

Sunday 10 June

HEPTONSTALL

The village has more stories to tell than any other of its size in the North. There's John Wesley, its Churches and Chapel, early textiles, the Coiners, historic buildings, and much more.

Meet Ed. Westbrook at 2.15 p.m. by the village store in Heptonstall. 

Sunday 17 June

VILLAGE OF VISION

Copley – a mix of Victorian gothic and modernity. One of the first industrial 'model villages' in England. Was Colonel Akroyd a shrewd businessman or an enlightened philanthropist ? With a chance to see the interior of the Church.

Meet Liz. Watkins at 2.15 p.m. by the Church at Copley village.

Friday 22 June

LIGHTCLIFFE PERSONALITIES 

The Brooke family, Titus Salt, J.J. Foster, Anne Walker, E.C. Sutherland-Walker, J.F. Walsh, and H.P. Jackson were notables with Lightcliffe connections. Their lives, their impact, and what they left behind.

Meet John Brooke at 7.15 p.m. outside the Sun Inn, Wakefield Road, Lightcliffe.

Sunday 24 June

TODMORDEN

The development of this distinctively different town at the junction of valleys and important ancient routes owes much to the impact of communications and the Fielden family.

Meet Ed. Westbrook at 2.15 p.m. by the main entrance to the Town Hall on Halifax Road.

Wednesday 4 July

“A LITTLE VILLAGE OF STONES … ”

Ripponden goes back over 1,000 years with fine buildings and a long textile history. These elements and the changes of more recent years make a fascinating story.

Meet Anne Kirker at 7.15 p.m. by Ripponden Parish Church gates.

Sunday 8 July

UPPER RASTRICK  µ   

The final part of our new trio of walks here. This one explores the Victorian textile industry, items of a millennium ago, and the edge of Fixby.  (A little more mileage than our normal walks).

Meet David Nortcliffe at 2.15 p.m. by St. Matthew's Parish Church, Rastrick.

Sunday 15 July

NORWOOD GREEN : A HELL HOLE !!

That's just what industrial developments had made it around 150 years ago. The grimy past of, what is now, an Estate Agent's dream location is revealed !

Meet David Nortcliffe at 2.15 p.m. by the War Memorial in Village Street.

Wednesday 18 July

BARKISLAND µ   

A new walk around the village tracing the growth of this upland community in the 1,100 years or so since a Norseman called Bark, or Borkr, gave his name to the area. Repeated 5^th August.

Meet Anne Kirker at 7.15 p.m. by the garden opposite the Post Office (at the main road junction).

Sunday 22 July

ELLAND CENTRE 

History galore in this old town which featured in the Doomsday Book of 1086. We'll see how it developed down the years looking at the last 200 in particular.

Meet David Nortcliffe at 2.15 p.m. by the notice board at Elland Parish Church.

Friday 27 July

CRAGG VALE

A heady mix of coiners, hard millowners, wealthy gentry, some exceptional 'ordinary folk', and many other features of this small village. A story laced with fraud & scandal.  

Meet Pam Jordan at 7.15 p.m. on B.6138 up Cragg Vale by its junction with the road down to the Church. Park on the wide section of the main road above the junction. 

Sunday 29 July

A LOOK AT LUDDENDEN  µ   

A new walk round this charming village looking at its history, old buildings, the Brontë involvement, textiles, and much more.

Meet Liz Watkins at 2.15 p.m. by the Church gates, opposite the Lord Nelson. Limited parking in the village. Arrive in good time; park with consideration.

Sunday 5 August

BARKISLAND 

A new walk this year round the village tracing its growth in the 1,100 years or so since a Norseman called Bark, or Borkr, gave his name to the area.

Meet Anne Kirker at 2.15 p.m. by the garden opposite the Post Office (at the main road junction).

Sunday 12 August

KING & QUEEN 

King Cross and part of Queens Road - looking at the expansion here 1855 to 1905 and the major changes which followed in the next 60 years.

Meet David Nortcliffe at 2.15 p.m. by King Cross old churchyard, opposite the William IV public house.

Sunday 19 August

TED HUGHES' MYTHOLMROYD

Memories of Mytholmroyd in the 1930s through the words of the former Poet Laureate, and our premier local poet, set in their historical context.

Meet John Billingsley at 2.15 p.m. at the steps to the eastbound platform of Mytholmroyd station. 

Sunday 26 August

THE WAINHOUSE TRAIL 

The story of J.E. Wainhouse, his Tower and his properties nearby. Hear about his famous feud with Sir Henry Edwards. (Does not include access to the Tower)

Meet Ed. Westbrook at 2.15 p.m. near the foot of Wainhouse Tower – access on foot from Wakefield Gate (off Skircoat Moor Rd.), Halifax.

Sunday 2 September

OLD TOWN 

A new walk this year in this quiet village on the moorland edge. A settlement which was once much more important and with lots of history. Stout footwear needed.

Meet John Billingsley at 2.15 p.m.. by the school, at the east end of the village. Please park with consideration.

Sunday 9 September µ   

COINERS, CHICKENS, BLANKETS & A POEt

How Mytholmroyd led the world ! (according to our Guide). Come to hear her justification, and look at other interesting aspects on the north side of this village.

Meet Pam Jordan at 2.15 p.m. by the bus stop opposite the Dusty Miller, Mytholmroyd.

Sunday 16 September   µ 

THERE'S HISTORY ALL AROUND YOU

A new 'Discovery Walk' for those aged 8 to 80. Learn to spot evidence like date stones, posts, grates, building details, and more. 8 to 16 year olds go free for this walk only – but must be with a parent or responsible adult.

Meet John Brooke at 2.15 p.m. by the War Memorial at Lightcliffe Stray alongside A.58. (parking available behind the former United Reformed Church, by special arrangement.)

Sunday 23 September

HOUSES OF HEBDEN BRIDGE µ 

A closer look at the houses which give Hebden Bridge its distinctive character, and details of some which have been demolished.

Meet Ed. Westbrook at 2.15 p.m. at the Bridge Gate end of the old packhorse bridge in Hebden Bridge centre.

Sunday 30 September

OUTLAWS & NUNS

Another chance to visit Robin Hood's Grave, the late medieval farm buildings, and the Nunnery site. Must be pre-booked. There will be several walks during the day.

FOR FULLER DETAILS OF THESE WALKS AND BOOKING SEE 28 MAY ENTRY.