PLACES OF INTEREST IN HUDDERSFIELD
HUDDERSFIELD HERITAGE TOWN TRAIL
Huddersfield has the third highest number of Listed buildings
in the country. This town trail will enable you to observe
a few of our most splendid buildings. The trail begins at
the Tourist Information Centre and will take approximately
one hour to complete, though there are lots of tempting places
to visit en route! As you leave the Tourist Information Centre,
turn right and look across the High street. Here you will
notice:
1 VICTORIAN GOTHIC BUILDING.
Dating from around 1860 it was originally used as auction
rooms. The building is characterised by the pointed lancet
windows and Corinthian topped pink marble columettes often
found in churches. This is complemented by alternating pink
voussoirs above the windows. (proceed down high street – on
the corner of New Street you will notice a rather different
style of building).
2 HIGH STREET BUILDINGS.
The plain straight lines typify “Stripped” Classicism. This
particular building was designed by Norman Culley in 1935.
3 PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE.
This building on the opposite corner, housing an opticians
at ground level, is almost the exception in Huddersfield,
being constructed of terracotta and red brick rather than
stone. It was built just before the end of the 19th
century and designed by Alfred Waterhouse, a prominent Victorian
architect. He is probably best remembered by the design of
the Town Hall in his home town of Manchester and the design
of the Natural History Museum in London. The design of the
Assurance building is similar to that used by the Prudential
throughout the country. Opposite the Prudential, notice the
mural overlooking Ramsden Street. This depicts the development
of the local woollen industry from cottage craft to the industrialised
era. (you may wish to turn right along New Street towards
the Ring Road to the Co-operative building on the left hand
side).
4 CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING.
 The
premises comprise two distinct buildings. The first portion,
built in 1906 was designed by J Berry and boasts a distinctive
clock tower. The extension of the original building nearest
the ring road is in stark contrast. The plainness of the
frontage is similar to building number 2 viewed earlier, but
this building is an early example of the Modern movement which
was influencing architectural style during this period. The
long continuous windows are typical of this period and are
to be found on “modern” work on the continent. Natives of
Yorkshire may well feel that ribbon windows existed long before
this period, in the mullions of their weavers’ cottages!
(Returning to building number 2 turn right down Ramsden Street
and on the right hand side is Huddersfield Town Hall).
5 TOWN HALL.
 The
building was designed by John H Abbey and was clearly built
in two stages; one taller than the other. The first dates
from 1875-1876 and the second 1878-1881. the building is
Classic Italianate in style which is denoted by the rounded
heads to the windows, the symmetrical design and the “rustication”
of the stonework of the base of the building. Borough Surveyor
Abbey was related to the founder of the major architectural
practice in the town, Abbey, Hanson, Rowe. The interior boasts
a richly decorated Concert Hall, home to the legendary Huddersfield
Choral Society. It may be possible to view the concert hall
if not in use-Please ask staff at the Town Hall Reception.
(Continue along Ramsden Street, diagonally opposite is:)
6. THE LIBRARY/ART GALLERY.
The library was designed in 1937 by E.H. Ashburner. The entrance
is flanked by two stone figures symbolising Art and Literature.
At the top of the steps are plaques to James Mason and Harold
Wilson, both born in Huddersfield. It is worth visiting the
Art Gallery on the top floor whose collection numbers works
by Bacon, Lowry, Sutherland and Moore, plus assorted changing
exhibitions. An excellent Local Studies Library is situated
on the first floor.
7 THE MARKET HALL.
Two entrances lead from the Piazza into this bustling general
market where all kinds of bargains can be found. The white
tent like structure is a recent addition to the scene. Proceed
under the canopy to a wide passage and down a flight of steps
to the balcony. (Almost straight ahead, on the other side
of the ring road, you can see St Paul’s church which now belongs
to the University).
8 ST PAUL’S CHURCH.
The church was designed by John Oates, an architect from neighbouring
Halifax, and built in 1829 by local stonemason Joseph Kaye.
St Paul’s is no longer in use for worship, but instead it
provides a venue for a range of concerts including the well
known Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. The simple
lancet windows are typical Early English Gothic in style.
(Panning the ring road to your next right to the Chemistry
building you will notice another of Joseph Kaye’s constructions,
the:
9 RAMSDEN BUILDING.
The building was originally built as a technical school and
designed by Edward Hughes. It is therefore fitting that it
now forms part of the University. The steeply pitched roof,
pointed arches, and finials give a Gothic character to the
building. (For those unable to use the steps, turn back to
the entrance of the passage, turn right and head for BHS at
the end of the promenade. Past BHS turn rights and proceed
past Boots and towards King Street. At King Street turn right
and upon the intersection with Queen Street turn right towards
the ring road to rejoin our walk. For those not requiring
the detour proceed down the steps and at the bottom turn left
along Queen Street). The right hand side of this street is
fronted by rather fine, ashlar town houses constructed in
the 1830s.
10 THE OLD COURT BREWHOUSE.
This building constructed in 1825, was originally the County Court.
The columns forming the porch are rather plain in nature and are
of the Tuscan order. The small paned sash windows are a characteristic
feature of Georgian architecture. Inside it is possible to have
a drink in the Old Court Room upstairs which retains many original
features. Notice the brewing Copper just inside the entrance.
(Continue along Queen street to:)
11 THE LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE.
Built in 1819 by Joseph Kaye, this was once the largest Wesleylan
Chapel in the world. The scale and grandeur of the building
signifies the rise of the Non-conformist movement. The building
is dominated by a Venetian window above the entrance porch.
The triangular shaped stonework at roof level is known as
a pediment. The interior is also interesting and boasts a
bar and café restaurant plus changing exhibitions. (Proceeding
along Queen Street into Cross Church Street, the view ahead
is dominated by the walled sideway archway to: )
12 ST PETER’S PARISH CHURCH.
The present Parish Church was designed by J.P. Pritchett of
York who was also the architect for the railway station.
As with most parish churches, the site had previously been
used for the same function. Like St Paul’s, the window details
are rather plain, but slightly more embellished with trefoils
to the heads of the lancet windows. The inside is certainly
worth perusal, to see the galleries, the east window and the
altar canopy. Additionally the old crypt has been converted
into an unusual café setting. Glancing to the right of the
church, down Kirkgate notice the unusual figure atop the Boy
and Barrel Inn! Opposite St Peter’s church are the Kirkgate
buildings dating from 1880 and designed by Huddersfield architect
W.H. Crossland. (Turn right out of the church entrance and
continue along Byram Street). The shop from to the Neaversons
is not only interesting in terms of its Modern Movement Design,
but also the angle of the glass window. This is curved so
as to avoid reflections on the glass, thereby displaying goods
at their best. Behind the church is St Peter’s gardens in
which stands one of the original late 19th century
gas lamps. (Continuing right along Byram Street, cross St
Peter’s Street until you reach Northumberland Street. Looking
to the right you may make an interesting comparison. On the
right you will observe the “New” post office and across the
road the “old” post office.
13 THE “OLD” POST OFFICE.
This is another building by Huddersfield architect W.H. Crossland
with some interesting features; the castellations and finials
to the parapet, and the moulded “spindle like” detail to windows.
14 NORTHUMBERLAND STREET POST OFFICE.
The far grander “New” post office was completed in 1914 and
designed by C.P. Wilkinson. At ground floor level the building
is dominated by rusticated ashlar and rather robust keystones
to the top arch of the windows. The building generally has
“Classical” architectural overtones. (Looking further down
Northumberland Street towards the bottom left is the: )
15 KIRKLEES MEDIA CENTRE.
The centre has changing media exhibitions and a “cybercafe”. (If
you now cross Northumberland Street and proceed along Byram Street,
you will see the open market).
16 THE OPEN MARKET (1887-89).
Also known as the Monday market, this fine cast iron building
signals the union of architecture and engineering. The building
was designed by the Borough Surveyor R.S. Dugdale. The general
market is on Mon, Thurs and Sat, whilst a second hand market
occurs on Tues and Sat. (Retrace your steps along Byram Street
and proceed right up Northumberland Street. At the junction
with John William Street, straight in from of you is St George’s
Square.)
17 THE RAILWAY STATION AND ST GEORGE’S SQUARE.
Directly in front of you is Huddersfield’s “Stately home for
trains”. The station was built between 1846-50 and is one
of the finest classical stations outside of London.
The front of the building is dominated by a portico with
eight Corinthian columns on substantial bases. The Corinthian
ornamentation is carried onto the main body of the building
at the top of the pilasters. The refurbishment of St George’s
Square won Kirklees Council a prestigious Europa Nostra Award.
A statue of Huddersfield born former Prime Minister Harold
Wilson now overlooks the square.
18 THE GEORGE HOTEL.
This traditional station hotel was designed by William Wallen
and Charles Child rather like an Italian “Palazzo”. It is
the birth place of Rugby League which was founded in 1895.
A commemorative display can be seen inside. (To the left,
complete with namesake dominating the skyline; stands the:
19 BRITANNIA BUILDINGS.
Designed by Sir William Tite, they were built by George Crosland
as warehouses and offices. The square is completed by the:
20 LION BUILDINGS.
Crowned by an appropriate statue, this building is another
designed by Pritchett. Constructed by Samuel Oldfield it
provided an arcade of shops, offices and storage for the wool
manufacturers. (Proceeding along Railway Street in front
of the station, on the left hand side is the: )
21 RAMSDEN ESTATE OFFICE.
The building designed by W.H. Crossland is Gothic in nature,
quite unlike the other buildings in St George’s Square. The
entrance to the building is marked by a set of fine archways
with wrought iron gates and marble colonettes. In some ways
the detailing is similar to the very first building we looked
at. The heraldic shields at the first floor level indicate
the marriage lines of the Ramsden family. (At the next junction
with Westgate turn left and continue until on the left hand
side you see Byram Arcade)
22 THE BYRAM ARCADE.
The Byram Arcade is yet another building by W.H. Crossland.
The entrance is marked by a wrought iron canopy. Inside are
three floors of specialist and unusual shops, plus a vegetarian
café. (on the other side of westgate, a few doors down, note
the unusual black and white building.)
23 WESTGATE HOUSE.
There is certainly not another building like this in Huddersfield.
The prefabricated shop dates from 1923. (continue down Westgate
to the intersection with New Street, across the road is the
Market Place.
24 MARKET PLACE.
This area has recently been refurbished by Kirklees Council.
The up to date re-creation of the historic market centre reflects
the architecture of the adjacent buildings. The Market Place
retains as its focal point the oldest structure in the town,
the Market Cross, which dates from 1671. Erected by Sir John
Ramsden, it commemorates the granting of a Royal Charter to
hold a market on the site. On the ground there is a bronze
cross marking the centre of Huddersfield. Around the town
milestones denote the radial distances from the cross. (Immediately
off the market place you may with to explore the individual
shops along market walk. Continue along New Street-at the
junction with King Street note:
25 THE M&S BUILDING.
This building culminates in a streamlined leaf motif, almost
Egyptian, although Art Deco in overall style. There are a
number of buildings similar in design along New Street, e.g.
the Yorkshire Bank on the opposite side. Upon entering the
pedestrian zone, above the shop frontages you will be able
to pick out the Modern Movement and Classical buildings.
On the left is Market Avenue, another arcade of stylish shops,
which, time permitting, you may wish to explore. Or a little
further down, on the opposite side is the Imperial Arcade.
Continue along New Street to Ramsden Street where our trail
is now at its end. We trust you will enjoy your time in Huddersfield
and hope you know a little more about the town. We look forward
to welcoming you back soon!
THE COLNE VALLEY MUSEUM
VISIT THE RESTORED WEAVERS’ COTTAGES OF 1845
Experience the atmosphere of a hand weavers’ home and working
life circa 1840-1845 at the Colne Valley Museum – The Loom
Chamber – The Spinning Room – while the gas lit Clogger’s
shop is fully equipped with period tools and equipment from
1910.
All of these working exhibits are frequently demonstrated
by museum members who have learned the skills of spinning,
weaving and clog making. The Weavers’ living room is furnished
and equipped circa 1850 to show the home life of a hand weaver’s
family at the period when the three cottages in which the
museum is housed were built.
Special exhibitions, changed every 4-6 weeks, are given in
the display room, while other rooms are used to display other
domestic crafts from time to time – there is always something
new to see.
In April and October craft weekends are held within 15 or
more crafts are demonstrated by museum and visiting craftsmen.
In the museum shop books, guides, craft work and souvenirs
may be bought, light refreshments are available.
The museum was set up in 1970 as a charitable trust and us
run by members on a voluntary basis. Membership is open to
all and new members are always welcome. Members are entitled
to free admission, newsletters and the opportunity to learn
craft skills using the museum’s working equipment or contribute
to the running of the museum in other ways.
OPEN SATURDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - 2.00P.M.
TO 5.00P.M.
PARTY VISITS BY ARRANGEMENT
SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR SCHOOLS
A small admission charge is made. Party visits
can be made at any time with prior arrangement with the museum.
Tel: 01484 659762. arrangements can also be made for school
parties to spend a ‘Victorian Day’ in the weavers’ cottage
wearing period costume.
The Colne Valley Museum
Cliffe Ash
Golcar
Huddersfield
Yorkshire
HD7 4PY
Frequent bus service from Huddersfield
Bus Station.
Free public car park opposite the church.
The Colne valley Museum is a registered charity (No.
529316) and a registered museum (No. 1203).
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