Halifax
Two fine buildings show
the connection between the past and present of Halifax. One
is the opulent gleaming glass modern office block belonging
to the Halifax Building Society,
founded
here in 1853 and the other is the Piece Hall which was
initially built during the heady days of the "wool trade"
and rebuilt in the 1770's. The Piece Hall, thus called
because weavers took their pieces or lengths of cloth, to
the hall to be sold, is the only surviving manufacturers
hall in England, it is clearly identifiable from its domed
roof topped with a dramatic weathervane in the shape of a
sheep.
Halifax is an industrial city close to the famous Pennines
and the route of the Pennine Way in what is known as
Yorkshire's "Bronte" country. For such a built-up city,
Halifax retains a surprising number of old historic
buildings, these range from humble weavers cottages to the
grandeur of the Piece Hall and the 15th century parish
church dedicated to St.John. The church is a beautiful
Perpendicular building which incorporates the remains of an
earlier Norman church.
Although Halifax has no real association with the Bronte's,
it has links through two nearby villages, these are Ludden
Foot where Branwell Bronte was station master for a time,
and Southowram, where Emily Bronte worked as a tutor at Law
Hill House. It is believed that whilst here, in the sparse
countryside, she gained her inspiration for her novel
Wuthering Heights.
Of interest is Bankfield Museum, this houses a fine
collection of textiles, Wainhouse's Tower - this is
considered to be the best folly in the country, it was built
by John Wainhouse (1817-1883) and Shibden Hall, a
fascinating timber-frame building which houses a folk
museum.
Halifax has all the usual large stores, plenty of pubs,
lively markets, a wide choice of hotels both in the centre
and the lovely surrounding countryside which is well worth
exploring, especially the picturesque villages along the
Pennine Way.