Activities in Huddersfield

You don’t have to be a fan of Thomas the Tank Engine to enjoy the nostalgic pleasures of Kirklees Light Railway! It's known as the home of Yorkshire’s Great Little Steam Trains, where you can hop on board for a journey through the stunning scenery of the South Pennines. The 15-inch narrow-gauge railway tracks also host seasonal events including Thomas, Easter. Halloween Santa Specials. Although it’s only nine miles east of Huddersfield, out near hotel is actually Wakefield South (M1 Jct 39).

Wherever you go in Huddersfield, there’s usually a spectacular view to be had. One of the best is at Castle Hill, just a couple of miles south of the town centre in Almondsbury. Castle Hill is classified as an ancient monument, with the grade II listed Victoria Tower on its summit the most recognisable landmark in Huddersfield. There is a car park at the top of a very steep single-track road, but you need to climb the steps to get to the tower, for which there is a small admission charge. It's quite a climb but well worth the effort as once you're at the top, you can see for up to 20 miles on a clear day. Check opening times before you go, though, as the tower is not open all year round.

No visit to this part of the world would be complete without a trip to this unique attraction. It’s nine miles west of Huddersfield, around a 25-minute drive from our Huddersfield Central Hotel.

The longest canal tunnel in Britain, Standedge Tunnel near Marsden is a great day out for all the family - whether you're a serious waterways enthusiast or are just happy to have a pit stop at the café and give the kids a chance to let off steam in the playground and wildlife garden.

Not for nothing is the tunnel known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways. The visitor centre explains just what an astounding feat of civil engineering it was to build it, not to mention to physical perils that the navvies were faced with, and to bring the experience even more, you can explore deep into the tunnel on a guided boat trip.

Just over a mile from the town centre and within easy walking distance of our Huddersfield Central Hotel is the Tolson Museum, arguably the town's cultural highlight.

Housed in the Victorian mansion Ravensknowle Hall, its galleries offer a delightful mixture of the awe-inspiring and the quirky. The museum tells the absorbing story of the area and its people, with exhibits ranging from Roman finds to a remarkable Valveless Car, built in Huddersfield in 1914 and the only fully restored one of its kind in the country. You can also enjoy the surrounding Ravensknowle Park, which has a children's playground, bowling green, and picnic areas.

What Huddersfield Art Gallery lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in interest. Conveniently located in the town centre, just above the library, it contains a fascinating collection of sculptures and paintings by world-famous names such as L.S. Lowry and Henry Moore. Temporary exhibitions include works ranging from photography to ceramics by contemporary artists and the gallery also hosts a retail space called ‘Yorkshire Makers’, where you can admire and buy everything from jewellery, textiles, wood turning and glassware from Yorkshire artists.

If it's not really the weather for enjoying the great outdoors, one good option is to head to the state-of-the-art Odeon Huddersfield. Located next to the John Smith's Stadium, home to Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants, it has nine screens and is only 20 minutes' walk from our Huddersfield Central Hotel if you're feeling energetic. If you do drive, though, please note that parking might be very limited on matchdays.