An Insider's Mini Guide to Living in Halifax

Halifax's Best Bits

Once the centre of England’s woollen industry and a thriving mill town in the industrial revolution, Halifax is Calderdale's largest town, and it’s still a thriving place today! There’s a wide variety of things to see and do in this town, independent shops to explore and there’s plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. It’s no wonder this town, set in the beautiful, rolling hills of the Calderdale Valley, is a place people want to call home. At Strata, we understand that people want to live in the best locations. So that’s why we’ve selected this town as the next destination for our collection of upcoming homes. So let’s take a look at some of this impressive town’s highlights and best places to explore.

Halifax’s history and heritage

When it comes to Halifax’s history and heritage, one of the most iconic and important structures is the Grade I listed Piece Hall. Opened in 1779, it was once a former cloth hall where trading would take place. Today, it stands in isolation as the only Georgian cloth hall still surviving in the world, and is easily one of Britain’s most outstanding examples of Georgian architecture. Today, members of the public can explore each of the former trading rooms and discover unique homewares, gifts, books and stationery. There’s also several cafes to grab a bite to eat, as well as bars and restaurants to check out too! 

Just one mile from Halifax’s centre and set in the picturesque Shibden Valley, you’ll find Shibden Hall. In easy walking distance of Halifax’s bus and train station, the house dates back to 1420 and is a mix of architectural styles reflecting the house’s interesting and varied history. Without a doubt though, the Tudor half-timbered frontage has remained as its most recognisable feature. Visitors can explore the house and its rich history, as well as visit the beautifully restored gardens and estate, which form Shibden Park. There’s play areas for children, walking trails and woodland to explore, as well as cafes and visitor facilities.

Another impressive example of architecture to be found in Halifax is Wainhouse Tower. At 275 feet tall, the tower was originally commissioned as a chimney for the local dye works. However, it never was used as a working chimney and as such, is often regarded as one of Britain’s finest follies and best examples of folly architecture. Visitors can head up 369 steps to take in the stunning views that the top of the tower offers. 

Arts and Culture in Halifax

Hosting a summer concert season, the Piece Hall is not just a place for shopping. It’s also a unique venue where you can experience performances from different artists and bands, and is up there when it comes to discussing the best gig venues in the UK. It’s well worth keeping an eye on the ‘what’s on’ calendar! It’s not just concerts either, there’s a huge array of events bringing this building to life, from street theatre, outdoor film screenings and workshops to get involved with. Right next door to the Piece Hall, you’ll find Square Chapel Arts Centre. There’s a whole host of events happening here too, from lectures covering a wide range of topics, stand up comedy, performance poetry and so much more.

Food and drink in Halifax

As a town in Yorkshire, it’s a given that food and drink matter. Eateries in Halifax serve up traditional English favourites, but you’ll also find exciting specialities such as Thai and Korean street food, as well as Greek and Italian restaurants. There’s plenty of delis and coffee shops dotted around town, but you’ll also find some big chain names here too. And if you journey to the scenic countryside which surrounds Halifax, you’ll find pubs proudly serving local produce. And there’s plenty of bars serving up cocktails and craft beers too, if that’s the kind of thing you’re after! Located in Westgate Arcade (which is in the heart of Halifax), we recommend visiting the family owned business La Luna and sampling from the breakfast, lunch and evening menus packed full of family favourites. 

With its strong industrial heritage, impressive and unique architecture and so much to see, do and get involved with, Halifax is a fantastic town to be able to call home. So if you’re thinking of making Halifax your next home town, make sure you keep an eye on our upcoming collection of contemporary new homes.