| 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 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.thepiecehall.co.uk 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 good home made cake which you can take in, and loads of leg space! 10 mins in car / bus possible Although 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. But don't rely on the Cafe for decent food . . . 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 is 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. Sometimes there are 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 Café 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 (now teenagers); so it generally works out OK . . . | |
| EATING OUT Café Passion Halifax Tel: 01422 355288 Healthy and excellent quality Turkish cuisine. Warm welcome from Ibo and Mehmet. Good for kids. Next door to Electric Bowl in town centre. BYO wine. 15 mins in Car / 30 on bus Cafe Passion is handy if you are planning to go to any of the evening entertainment Halifax has to offer. Moyles Restaurant Hebden Bridge www.moyles.com Tel: (01422) 845 272 Excellent food in modern surroundings with interesting art. Opposite the picture house on the main road. Sadly, Moyles is closed because of the recent floods 10 mins in Car / bus possible Delicianoz Tel:(01422)885835 There are lots of good Indian Restaurants in Bradford or Manchester (40 mins by car or train) but - despite the wierd name - our local takaway in Luddenden Foot (on the corner of Luddenden Lane) 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 will deliver. Talk to us if you want to go out for an Indian meal - there are literally hundreds to choose from in Bradford, which is only half an hour away in the car! | | EVENINGS The Lord Nelson Luddenden Tel: (01422) 831106 Known as "The Nellie", good friendly local pub down in the old village centre. Excellent beer, 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 Halifax www.squarechapel.co.uk Box Office: (01422) 349422 Admin: (01422) 353073 Near Piece Hall and train station. 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 and Art Galleries Halifax www.deanclough.com Box Office: (01422) 255266 Housed 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 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 (no smoke). Not very child friendly. You have to join as a member on entry, unless signed in. 10 mins in Car / bus possible Victoria Theatre Halifax www.victoriatheatre.co.uk Box office: (01422) 351158 Alhambra Theatre Bradford www.bradford-theatres.co.uk Box office: 01274 43200 | |