Travel to Halifax

Travel to Halifax

Halifax is a vibrant town, steeped in history and the wild natural beauty of Yorkshire which surrounds the area. From nightlife to markets and buildings of historical interest, the town of Halifax has something to suit all tastes.

Halifax is situated approximately 20 miles (32kms) southwest of Leeds and just five miles (eight kilometres) south of Bradford. Today, Halifax has about 82,000 inhabitants. During the industrial revolution, the town experienced its heyday and it ranked as one of England's most pivotal textile and wool centres. Nowadays, there are still plenty of wonderful, imposing Victorian and Georgian buildings to be admired, alongside Halifax's more modern shop fronts.

Transportation to Halifax

Halifax is serviced by outstanding coach and rail links, and is just a short distance from Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBA). Public transportation to and from Leeds Airport is frequent and reliable, with a choice of coaches, trains, buses, taxis and private hire cars. Those wishing to drive to the facility will find it conveniently accessible and well signposted from the access roads. Leeds Bradford International Airport provides a range of valet, long and short duration car parking.

For motorists, Halifax is just north of Junction 24 on the M62 motorway, and can be accessed by train from many of Yorkshire's nearby centres as well as by hourly rail services from King Cross Station in London, with a change in Leeds (3 hours travel time).

What to see

The Town Hall was opened in 1863, and it was Sir Charles Barry who designed it, as well as the Houses of Parliament; while one of the early brick buildings in the town, the Square Chapel, was designed by Thomas Bradley, and its construction was completed in the year 1772.

Adjacent to the chapel, you can find the historical ruins and the Square Church's 235-foot spire, which functions now as a theatre and arts centre. The Victoria Theatre is another impressive Victorian building. Two weeks after Queen Victoria's passing away, this building was officially opened. The enormous soot blackened Parish Church is also something that must be seen, with the largest part of the church having been constructed in the 15th century though some of the walls were built in the 12th century.

Visiting Eureka is a must for children. This unique museum for children was specially created for the under 12's. The museum boasts over 400 interactive exhibits covering a multitude of interesting topics varying from how your senses and body react, to the science behind sound. An outdoor park and a cafe are available at the museum.

The town of Halifax offers a fine variety of shopping. At the Woolshops Shopping Centre, you will find high street names, while at the nearby Piece Hall, there are speciality outlets and a market in the courtyard, held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You can visit one of the numerous bars and pubs when you tire of shopping or have a good time at one of Halifax's nightclubs.

Daytrips

When making a daytrip out of town, you will discover some rewarding surprises. Boothtown is just half a mile away and it is here that you can find Halifax's indoor dry ski slope. Alternatively, you have the option to drive through some picturesque landscape and visit the quality art galleries and impressive cathedral in the charming town of Bradford.

Another option is to drive to Leeds, which ranks as Britain's second largest metropolitan district and is located at the very heart of Great Britain, halfway between the cities of London and Edinburgh. The larger part of Leeds is the Green Belt, which comprises some of Yorkshire's most gorgeous scenery.

Activities and leisure

Halifax boasts plenty of international dining establishments. Visitors will not have any difficulties finding the tastiest foods. Restaurants serve British, Indian and Asian cuisines. The nightlife in Halifax is excellent: make your choice of the towns pubs, bars, theatres and nightclubs. For those who wish to shop, head to the Borough Market, housed in a superb Victorian market hall, providing visitors with a delightfully unique shopping experience.

Safety issues

Halifax is a relatively safe town; although, as with any large town in Britain, there are some areas where pickpockets might be active. Crime rates are traditionally low in Halifax, yet pick-pocketing does occur, typically involving inattentive visitors in crowded tourist hotspots.

Try not to look out of place, be aware of your surroundings and keep valuable belongings out of sight. If you give the impression that you know what you are doing, a pickpocket will probably not choose you as his next target.