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Easter Monday 6th April
OLD TOWN, ABOVE AND BEYOND.
The hilltop settlements of the upper Calder Valley historically and economically looked to each other rather than to the valley settlements. We look at some of Old Town's history, and look outwards to histories from the surrounding landscape.
Some slopes, muddy and uneven terrain. Dogs on leads. Not suitable for mobility scooters.
Meet John Billingsley outside Old Town School, HX7 8RY
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Sunday 12th April 2026
NOBBUT NORLAND
An attractive mix of village, moor, woods, the early textile trade, and old houses. Seven centuries of history and a diversion to Pickwood Scar. Return to Norland Town via Dye House Lane. Mostly quiet roads. Uneven, steep footpath on return so not suitable for mobility scooters. Dogs on leads welcome. This walk lasts for 2½ hrs. Good walking shoes are essential.
Meet Anne Kirker at the War Memorial, HX6 3RJ.
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Sunday 26th April 2026
OLD HIPPERHOLME
The village of Hipperholme has a long history with several old pubs, an old grammar school, old houses and a house lived in by an early mayor of Bradford. The walk includes a 20 minute stroll through an old wood ending in a short steep slope. Dogs on leads are welcome. The walk is suitable for mobility scooters.
Meet Ian Philp in the car park near to the Hare and Hounds in Hipperholme, HX3 8JG.
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Sunday 10th May 2026
LOST SHOPS OF HALIFAX
A new walk
Do you recall Modelle, home of ladies’ fashion? Or Jack Lees, Woods Music and Nicholl, Brown & Coyle? We consider Whiteley’s for hats, Neaverson’s for glass and china, Pohlmanns for music / TVs, and the vast emporium called Simpsons of Silver Street. And what various shops once occupied the ground floor of the old house at the top of Woolshops? A circular walk which is suitable for mobility scooters. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Meet David Glover at the top of Woolshops, HX1 1RU by the Wellington Regiment memorial.
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Sunday 31st May 2026
A SHELF FULL OF OLD IRON
We’ll explore from the Bradford boundary to Shelf Moor Road for evidence of Shelf Iron Works. This is an updated version of the walk. You should have good walking shoes. Dogs on leads are welcome. This walk is not suitable for mobility scooters.
Meet Mary Twentyman and Ben Stables in Bethel Chapel’s private car park off A 6036, HX3 7RS.
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Sunday 14th June 2026.
GOING TO CHURCH IN TODMORDEN
Many different denominations and congregations have worshipped in Todmorden over the centuries. This walk explores the different churches and chapels of Todmorden and the development of non-conformity in the town. Includes one fairly long steep section.
This walk is not suitable for mobility scooters. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Meet Anne Mealia in Fielden Square, OL14 6LZ.
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Sunday 21st June 2026
BEAUMONT TOWN, WUTHERING HEIGHTS AND THE HISTORY BOYS
A new walk.
Or Claremount, High Sunderland, Horley Green, plus Alan Bennett. Find out about a lost suburb, a house which inspired Wuthering Heights, a Repertory Theatre man whose son was killed in an air crash, a famous Savoyard, and a firm which made urinals considered world-famous! Then there’s the massive Godley Cutting and Bridge.
A circular three-hour walk, including steep slopes and uneven surfaces. This walk is not suitable for mobility scooters. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Meet David Glover outside former St Thomas’s Church on Claremount Road, HX3 6AW. This walk is £6 per head and pre-booking is essential. It is not possible to turn up on the day without a ticket.
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Saturday & Sunday 27th & 28th June 2026
OUTLAWS & NUNS
These walks are on the private Kirklees Estate near Clifton, by kind permission of the owners. They include the former Nunnery site, Gatehouse, 15th to 18th century farm buildings, the Robin Hood connection and his grave there, plus other features of the estate. This is a working farm and dogs are not allowed. Minimum age (for insurance purposes) is 13.
The guides are Ben Stables, John Billingsley, David Glover and Ian Philp. The walk is 1½ miles, partly on woodland paths, and strong shoes are advised. Unsuitable for mobility scooters. The walk will be repeated several times over the 2 days. There are no buses to the Estate on Sundays.
These walks are £6 per head. Pre-booking is essential and it will not be possible to just turn up on the day! Details and directions are sent out with the tickets.
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Sunday 12th July 2026
Dobroyd castle
By kind permission of the owners, this afternoon walk goes to, around and inside the striking ‘Brass Castle’ built above Todmorden by John Fielden in 1869. It includes the house and walled garden with details of their history and the family. Timing and meeting point details are issued with the tickets. The Guide is Anne Mealia.
Pre-booking is essential and it will not be possible to just turn up on the day.
This walk is £6 per head. This walk is 1½ miles, part on woodland paths and strong shoes are advised. Ticket-holders should meet the Guide in Todmorden at 2pm (full details supplied with tickets) for a ½ mile walk up the wooded hillside to the Castle. No dogs allowed. Access to the Castle by car is difficult but if you need to go by car, route information will be supplied when booking.
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Sunday 26th July 2026
BRYNESCOLES VALLEY HIDDEN HISTORIES.
Exploring medieval and later histories of the area and its houses. It includes a Halifax vicar and his hawking activities together with a hidden coal mining settlement. Some steep pathways through fields. Walking boots essential. Dogs welcome. Not suitable for mobility scooters.
Meet Mike Beecham at the junction of Hedge Top Lane and Westercroft Lane, Northowram, HX3 7BE
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Sunday 9th August 2026
A BREWERY, A WINDMILL AND A LOST SETTLEMENT
Visit the lost settlement of Todd Bottom. Various Shibden Valley properties seen from Northowram hill. A stone quarry failed partnership and an old village house.
Some steep narrow pathways through fields. Walking boots essential. Dogs welcome. Unsuitable for mobility scooters.
Meet Mike Beecham at Northowram Tennis Club car park. The Hough, Northowram, Halifax, HX3 7AP.
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Sunday 23 August 2026
HEPTONSTALL STORIES
A village like Heptonstall is full of stories – about itself, about its inhabitants, about their worldview. We hear a few from over the centuries in this partially revised, partially new walk. This walk is not suitable for mobility scooters. No dogs.
Meet John Billingsley at Heptonstall Bowling Club car park, HX7 7LT
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Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August 2026
MIDGLEY MOOR
A three hour walk.
More than a moor, this extended walk with John Billingsley takes in archaeology, folklore, customs, economics, geography and climate. Paths on rough moorland terrain, around 3 miles. Good walking ability, weatherproof shoes and clothing, and snacks recommended for comfort. Quiet dogs strictly on lead. Bring a small coin or two... Not suitable for mobility scooters.
Meet John at crossroads by Hare & Hounds Inn, Old Town, HX7 8TN.
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Sunday 6th September 2026
THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SOWERBY BRIDGE
A new walk.
A walk that showcases a town with a proud history through its diverse range of textile mills, world-class products and the accompanying ancillary industries that supported them. A celebration of the people of Sowerby Bridge and their legacy. This walk is not suitable for mobility scooters – some slopes and steps.
Meet Michael Gray at 2.00pm by Sowerby Bridge Railway Station, HX6 3AF.
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Sunday 20th September 2026
barkisland
1,000 years of history told through the families, fine buildings and institutions of this hill top settlement. A lot has happened since a Norseman called Borkr made his home here. Quiet roads. The walk lasts 2 ½ hrs and is not suitable for mobility scooters. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Meet Anne Kirker in the garden opposite Barkisland Post Office, Saddleworth Rd, HX4 0AL.
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Sunday 27th September 2026
MURDER SITE TO GIBBET
Do the names Mary Hackett and Emily Pye in 1950s Halifax recall anything to you? This walk mentions them, also looking at varied aspects of West Halifax – a Park, a Mansion, and other types of housing. Learn about a Speaker of the House of Commons, a former swimming pool, a mill explosion, lost pubs, and a vanished Fire Station. This is a linear walk which is suitable for mobility scooters and dogs on leads.
Meet David Glover just inside Gates of Lister Lane Cemetery, Lister Lane HX1 5JL. Walk ends in Gibbet Street at HX1 5BP.
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Sunday 4th October 2026
THE CENTRE OF BRIGHOUSE
All of our towns and villages are constantly changing. Brighouse is no exception. We will be looking at the churches, chapels, pubs (and a chapel, now a pub) and other old buildings. The war memorial which had to change one of the names on it because he lived, and an imposing library and art gallery. We will be seeing how the centre has changed even over the last few months. This is a new walk though based on parts of 3 previous walks. This walk is suitable for mobility scooters. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Meet Ian Philp in Thornton Square, Brighouse, HD6 1EA.
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Sunday 11th October 2026
TOD-MURDER-N
This walk explores some of the well-known murders committed in our town as well as some less well-known cases. Discover a grisly murder with a hatchet and pistols which kept the nation talking, a serial killer, crimes of passion, and tales of revenge and insanity.This walk is not suitable for mobility scooters. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Meet Anne Mealia at Christ Church graveyard, OL14 5AN.
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Sunday 25th October 2026
SECRETS OF SOYLAND
An attractive upland settlement on an historic route into Lancashire. Interesting 17th century houses, a major 18th century entrepreneur, an innovative 19th century college, and quite a bit more! Quiet roads to Soyland Town and back. The walk lasts for 2½ hrs and is suitable for mobility scooters. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Meet Anne Kirker opposite the Beehive pub, at the junction of Hob Lane and Royd Lane, HX6 4LU.
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