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Our current programme consists of over seventy walks and these can be booked for private parties subject to the availability of guides and the agreement of property owners, where relevant. The walks cover many parts of Calderdale and many different aspects of the area’s history. They range over different types of area from the truly rural, through hamlets, villages, and small towns to specific areas in our larger towns or particular themes there.
Unless indicated otherwise, our walks are approximately 2 hours each and on reasonably good surfaces. Whilst that is the normal time, in several areas shorter or longer walks can be arranged. For those wanting a full day excursion we could arrange for both a morning and afternoon sessions. We are very flexible.
In the recent past we’ve had parties wanting quite specialised walks and others wanting just a general interest walk on a summer evening. If you tell us what you’d like we’ll work with you to find the right answer.
For more details about the specific walks available and charges, please contact us.
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| BRIGHOUSE AREA |
| OUTLAWS & NUNS*: |
Kirklees Estate, its Nunnery site, the 15th / 17th century Home Farm, Robin Hood's Grave. |
| SMALLPOX AT CLIFTON: |
The story of the devastating 1892 epidemic in Clifton and Brighouse. |
| CLIFTON’S RAILWAY: |
The coal mining industry NE of Clifton and the light railway which served it. |
| TOWN ON THE CLIFF: |
The ancient village of Clifton with mining, wire, coal, Brontës and more in its past. |
| BRIGHOUSE CENTRE: |
How Brighouse grew from a river crossing to become Calderdale's second town. |
| VICTORIAN EXPANSION: |
How Brighouse expanded northwards in the mid to late 19th century (2 walks). |
| LOWER RASTRICK: |
The industry and housing which developed 150 years ago, plus the river/canal area. |
| MID RASTRICK, AND HOW IT GREW: |
19th and 20th century developments in the central part of Rastrick |
| UPPER RASTRICK: |
The Victorian textile industry, plus the edge of Fixby. More mileage than normal. |
| HOVE EDGE: |
Many points of interest, some rather surprising, are hidden around this modern-day suburb. |
| A LOOK AT HIPPERHOLME: |
It was the centre of an old Township when Brighouse was still just a hamlet. |
| VICTORIAN LIGHTCLIFFE: |
When the area went from scattered farms to a major residential community. |
| LIGHTCLIFFE PERSONALITIES: |
Seven notables of Lightcliffe. Their lives, achievements, and what they left behind. |
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| NORTH-EAST CALDERDALE |
| HALLS, HOUSES & HAMLETS: |
Small settlements S.E. of Coley using old routes. Slightly longer, rural walk. |
| A HELL HOLE !: |
That's what industrial developments made Norwood Green about 150 years ago. |
| STAND UP AND BE COUNTED: |
The census data of 19th century Norwood Green and what it tells us. |
| STONE CHAIR & LOWER SHELF: |
900+ years of change in the life of western Shelf. |
| A SHELF FULL OF BOTTOMLEYS: |
Part of the village of Shelf and an important local textile family. |
| NORTHOWRAM: |
This historic village has seen so many changes. Important in non-conformist history too. |
| HISTORY ALL AROUND YOU: |
Spot evidence like date stones, posts, grates, stonework, and more. |
| MILLS, MORAVIANS & MORE: |
Changes in Bailiff Bridge from 1750 onwards. Includes part of Lower Wyke. |
| BOTTOM SHELF: |
History of the south side of Shelf with lanes, old farms, Halls and Victorian mill-owners. |
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| HALIFAX AND ITS SUBURBS |
| HALIFAX TOWN TRAIL: |
Discover some of the many fine central area buildings and learn about their past. |
| STUMP CROSS & SHIBDEN: |
Spas, schools, textiles, turnpikes and a Hall in a rural settings close to town. |
| CHURCHES OF BOOTHTOWN RD:* |
How ten varied church buildings have evolved over almost 200 years. |
| AKROYDON: |
Col. Akroyd – a great industrialist of mid-Victorian Halifax and his fine Model Village. |
| KING & QUEEN: |
Developing King Cross & Queens Rd. 1855 - 1905 and the changes of the next 60 years |
| AROUND SAVILE PARK: |
How this Halifax suburb developed from open common in the 19th century. |
| WAINHOUSE TRAIL: |
J.E. Wainhouse, his Tower, assorted properties, the feud, and what followed. |
| WAINHOUSE & EDWARDS: |
The dispute between the two men and the sites associated with them. |
| THE HEBBLE TRAIL: |
A walk from Salterhebble along Halifax's own valley ending in Halifax |
| SPRING HALL TO SALTERHEBBLE: |
Housing and other developments close to the road 1860 to 1910. |
| SKIRCOAT: |
It was an old village south of Halifax which grew rapidly from 1840s. |
| THEATRELAND:* |
Theatres, former theatres and ex-cinemas near the town centre. Mainly 1900 – 1930s. |
| DEAN CLOUGH & NORTH BRIDGE: |
The bridge area and what was once the world’s largest carpet mill. |
| WE’RE OFF TO MARKET: |
Local markets, but particularly several aspects of the Victorian Borough Market. |
| VICTORIAN HALIFAX: |
The fine ornate buildings of mid to late 19th century in the central area of town. |
| FOUR SQUARED IN HALIFAX: |
The Georgian Piece Hall and Square Chapel are the star attractions. |
| HALIFAX PIECE HALL: |
A 45 minute walk exploring and explaining this fine, Grade 1 building. |
| TWO OF HALIFAX'S BEST:* |
Visiting the Town Hall and the Parish Church – outside and inside. |
| HALIFAX AT HALLOWEEN |
Tales of the dark and dismal, gruesome and ghostly, shadowy and shocking. |
| THE DARK SIDE OF HALIFAX |
Some darker and stranger stories from Halifax's long and eventful history. |
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| ELLAND AND SURROUNDS |
| ELLAND CENTRE: |
History galore in this old town. How it developed down 10 centuries. |
| WEST VALE 1825 - 1975: |
It grew from almost nothing to a busy textile producing area in around 30 years. |
| VILLAGE OF VISION: |
Copley – the story of one of the first English industrial 'model villages' and its builder. |
| NORTH ELLAND |
How this area has changed over the last 250 years – sometimes more than once! |
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| SOWERBY BRIDGE & RYBURN |
| SOWERBY BRIDGE'S LEFT BANK: |
How it changed over centuries plus its important canals and industries |
| SOWERBY BRIDGE UPS & DOWNS: |
18th and 19th century developments on the western side of town |
| SOWERBY VILLAGE: |
A village with Vikings, medieval lords, a glorious Church, and much non-conformity. |
| SECRETS OF SOYLAND: |
An attractive upland village, with unusual and fascinating elements in its past |
| A ROUND TRIANGLE: |
A village in the 'rural fringe' with some fine buildings including a Palladian mansion |
| MILL BANK: |
A fascinating tour of this historic, attractive (and comparatively little known) village. |
| COTTONSTONES TO KEBROYD: |
Woods, worms, water and a silken thread. What does it mean? (3 hours) |
| 'A LITTLE VILLAGE OF STONES': |
Ripponden’s buildings, textile history, and changes of later years |
| RISHWORTH'S HIDDEN CORNERS: |
A village with more of historic interest than its size might suggest |
| BARKISLAND: |
The growth of this upland village community over 1,100 years or so since Viking times |
| NOBBUT NORLAND: |
An attractive village with fine houses of 400 / 500 years ago and much more. |
| RYBURN SWITS & STONES |
Former industry and interesting buildings near and below the Reservoir. |
| RYBURN & BAITINGS |
Taking in farming, early industry, old roads, moors and more interesting buildings. |
| THE BIG 'C' WALK |
Ripponden's history is full of topics starting with 'C'. Your Guide will explain all ! |
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| MID-VALLEY NORTH OF THE CALDER |
| WAINSTALLS VILLAGE: |
A village which experienced over five centuries of the textile industry. 2¾ hours |
| WAINSTALLS MILLS: |
Mills in, around, and above the village from water-powered to mid 20th century. |
| BOOTH; THEN AND NOW: |
Luddenden Dean and aspects of rural and industrial life there down the years. |
| LOOK AT LUDDENDEN: |
The history, buildings, Brontë connection and textile aspects of a charming village. |
| DOMESDAY TO COMMUTERS: |
Midgley village reflects almost the whole history of this part of Northern England. |
| ABOUT OLD TOWN: |
An old settlement on the moor edge which was far more important in the past. |
| OVERLOOKING THE VALLEYS: |
At high level north of Old Town tracing the story of old hill communities. |
| MIDGLEY MOOR: |
Some of the old sites and folklore of the moor. Somewhat longer and harder walking. |
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| MYTHOLMROYD AREA |
| CRAGG VALE: |
A fascinating village in a beautiful setting with centuries of history to discover. |
| COINERS, CHICKENS, BLANKETS & A POET: |
North Mytholmroyd 'led the world' (according to our Guide). |
| 19th CENTURY MYTHOLMROYD: |
The centre of the old village, its industries and its diversity down the years |
| TED HUGHES' MYTHOLMROYD: |
Memories of Mytholmroyd through the words of the former Poet Laureate |
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| HEBDEN BRIDGE AND SURROUNDS |
| HALLELUJAH !: |
The stories and amazing architecture of some of Hebden Bridge's sacred places. |
| FUSTIANOPOLIS: |
Step back in time to the places and stories of the earlier Hebden Bridge textile industry. |
| VIEWS FROM THE BRIDGES: |
Diverse bridges over various features in Hebden Bridge and views from them. |
| HEBDEN BRIDGE HOUSES: |
Some of the houses which give Hebden Bridge its highly distinctive character. |
| TRANSPORT, TOWN & TABERNACLES: |
Interlinked aspects of Hebden Bridge's history covering 250 years. |
| HEBDEN BR. LANES & MYTHOLM: |
Parts of town where separate communities merged in 19th century. |
| HORRID HEBDEN !: |
Tales of squalor, murder and mystery for (accompanied) 7 to 11 year olds. |
| THE LOWER COLDEN: |
Textile production c.1820 - 1920 in this valley on the edge of the countryside. |
| HEPTONSTALL: |
The story of John Wesley, Churches and Chapel, textiles, coiners and historic buildings. |
| GRAVE CONCERNS: |
Heptonstall Churchyard and the stories of families and people which emerge. |
| POETS & POPPLES: |
History, folklore and literature around Popples, at Slack and in Heptonstall. |
| COMMUNICATIONS: |
The story of pack-horses, old paths, turnpike roads, coaching, the canal and railway and a few others. |
| CLOUGH FOOT & BLAKE DEAN |
Life around the moor over five millennia. Outdoor gear needed. |
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| TODMORDEN |
| 500 YEARS OF TEXTILES: |
The history of the picturesque twin villages of Lumbutts and Mankinholes. |
| THE FIELDEN LEGACY: |
Distinctive Todmorden owes much to its communications and the Fieldens. |
| TODMORDEN CHANGES: |
Past developments, the role of transport, and how things are changing now. |
| CENTRE VALE & BURNLEY VALLEY: |
Fielden connections north of the town and the Centre Vale area. |
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All these walks can be booked for private parties except the ones marked *. Those too may sometimes be available, but special arrangements have to be made with property owners and that is not always possible. Unless indicated otherwise, walks are 2 to 2¼ hours long and on reasonably good surfaces. Shorter walks are also available for certain areas.
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