- home ›
- in your area ›
- yorkshire ›
- huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield contains much outstanding architecture, from Victorian grandeur to award-winning new designs, as well as a lively cultural scene.
A town trail highlights the most interesting buildings (visit the Tourist Information Centre for more information).
Dominating the Huddersfield skyline, Castle Hill has been occupied since the Stone Age. The Victoria Tower was built in 1898/9 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's coronation. Visitors can take in panoramic views across Huddersfield and the surrounding countryside.
The Huddersfield Canals
The Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals meet at Lock 1E of the Narrow Canal near the University, where there is a small marina and a canalside pub/restaurant (Aspley Pub). Aspley Warehouse was originally used for storing wool and is indicated on a 1778 survey map. It is thought to be the oldest surviving canal warehouse in the north of England, now converted into student flats.
Canals as wildlife habitats
In Huddersfield, as part of the restoration of the Canal, two new tunnels were built under factories that had been built over the waterway. Special habitat sites were also developed for the endangered white-clawed crayfish during construction of these tunnels. Crayfish live below water in gaps in dry-stone wash walls and the new channel was built to emulate this shelter. Sensitive planting on top of the walls softened the canal edges, creating nesting sites for water birds. Planting troughs along the canal have visually enhanced the urban landscape providing new wildlife habitats in the heart of the town.
