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.
Below is a small collection of things local to Midgley, but for a wider list of everything that Calder Valley has to offer, take a look at Visit Calderdale.
Midgley
Hebden-Bridge
Midgley is a Viking place name (meaning midge clearing or midden!) and is listed in the Domesday book. The village grew up around wool production, weaving and quarrying, with a hard-working local economy supporting many pubs, shops, and businesses. Midgley's wealth of characterful old stone buildings, ancient wells and stone paved walkways tell the story of this rich Pennine heritage. Many of the houses in the area have been built of the underlying coarse sandstone known as Millstone Grit. These often-replaced timber framed houses. The oak beams, which were re-used in the construction of the stone houses, can be seen in almost all the older buildings.
At the heart of the village is Midgley village community shop which stocks local produce and all the basic amenities. It is a village shop run by volunteers for the benefit of the community.
For the nature lovers, there are a series of walks cantering around Midgley. A variety of wildlife can be found on these walks and many different habitats encountered including heather moorland to oak woodland, ponds, and streams. A comprehensive folder has been left in the cottage with local walks and maps. The maps are waterproof so feel free to take them out with you - but please, put them back in the folder after use so that others may also enjoy the countryside around our cottage,
3 miles from Chapel Cottage you will reach the stunning Pennine town of Hebden Bridge, recently voted the best town in Britain for independent shops. It is a delightful place to stroll and browse, there are cafes galore, St George's Square with market stalls and its eclectic mix of people, a few traditional pubs, trendy wine bars, plenty of places to eat, live music venues, a theatre and a 1920s Cinema.
The Rochdale canal runs through Hebden Bridge and canal barge cruises can be taken from here. For something a little different enjoy a walk along the towpath and watch the narrowboats and locks which bring visitors at a more leisurely pace than the railway which despite, the old-fashioned feel of the station, has regular services to Leeds and Manchester.
The Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway, Calderdale Way all pass nearby but there are so many footpaths you will never be short of routes to follow. According to 'Walk Magazine', Hebden Bridge has the most concentrated network of footpaths in the entire country.
Hebden Bridge tourist information: - link -
12 Reasons Hebden Bridge is known as the greatest town in Europe: - link -
The Surrounding Area
Halifax Piece Hall
Dating from 1779, the Piece Hall in Halifax is only a 20-minute drive and a must see. Built as a hall for trading cloth it is one of Britain's most outstanding Georgian buildings and is now a unique courtyard shopping district and a place to enjoy bars, restaurants, independent shops and concerts.
Haworth House - Home of the Brontë Sisters
Hardcastle Craggs - N.T. Gibson Mill
A short drive from our cottage is Haworth village, the home of the Brontë sisters. Here you can explore the Brontë Parsonage Museum, enjoy walking on the stunning heather covered moor and discover the Brontë Waterfall.
For scenery and nature there is the beautiful Hardcastle Craggs, 400 acres of unspoiled woodland, with the National Trust Gibson Mill at the heart of the valley.
Heptonstall
Stoodley Pike
This area has a rich literary history and perched above the town of Hebden Bridge, is the 13th century village of Heptonstall, which has featured in many a period film or drama and has the graves of the great American feminist poet Sylvia Plath and ‘King David Hartley’. Explore this picture-perfect traditional Yorkshire village with cobbled streets, a tearoom and two historic pubs.
Seen clearly from the property, but a 20-minute drive away, standing on a hill 1300 feet above Todmorden is Stoodley Pike, a monument which has become a well-known landmark on the moors of West Yorkshire and gives spectacular views.
Shibden Hall
Hollingsworth Lake
Halifax is also the home of Shibden Hall, a 600-year-old Medieval manor house. In the grounds is a restaurant, a miniature steam railway and a boating lake where you can hire a boat. It is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing and lazy picnic on a warm day. Shibden Hall was the hone of Anne Lister and is the location for the TV period drama 'Gentleman Jack'.
West Yorkshire has numerous stunning reservoirs, most notably Hollingworth Lake, a 130-acre reservoir. The ideal location for walks, views, water sports and food.
Skipton Castle
Skipton Castle, a medieval castle which has been preserved for over 900 years is now a famous landmark and tourist attraction - worth a visit.