Merrydale valley is a beauty spot, as these archive photos testify (a lot of trees have grown since they were taken).

Despite its secluded setting, Tyas Cottage is very close to numerous attraction, as well, of course the moors and Pennine Way.The cottage is well suited for hiking and bird watching as there are many local walks on open moors or in sheltered valleys. Photos below by Pam Norrington.

Slaithwaite railway station is on the Newcastle to Liverpool route and the M62 is also within 5 minutes journey time. You can see its location within within the Colne Valley on this 3D plan.

Slaithwaite itself is a charming village and worth getting to know, perhaps as the focus of the Merrydale walk. The nearby canal has been recently restored, and it is within walking distance of the Pennine Way. Above nearby Marsden tennis can be played on courts with spectacular views and there are 11 golf courses within 5 miles. Titanic Spa, a mere two and a half miles away, has recently opened and offers superb facilities.

Slaithwaite's The Moonraking Festival will next take place on 9th February half term (2008). The television series 'The Last of the Summer Wine' and 'Where The Heart Is' are filmed within the region. Emmerdale Village, beyond Leeds, can be visited and on the 3rd Sunday every month there is the farmers' market in Holmfirth.

Another lovely walk is along the canal that runs between Slaithwaite and Marsden. En route you could stop off at the Olive Branch restaurant and perhaps walk off your lunch by going on to Marsden where a quick pint or two at The Riverhead (brewed on the premises) could be enjoyed before taking the train back to Slawit. Slightly further, The Tunnel End Inn is an 'honest to goodness pub offering traditional, home-cooked food and real ale in comfortable surroundings.'

Huddersfield, home of the famed Choral Society and internationally renowned Contemporary Music Festival, is a fine town and has some lovely buildings. The Lawrence Batley theatre is in the very elegant Georgian former Methodist Mission and John Betjeman considered the station (shown alongside) to be the finest in the land. Halifax, too, has some wonderful buildings.

 

Links to Attractions

Urban attractions include the Colne Valley Museum (in Golcar about 4 miles away, but only open at weekends and bank holidays). Halifax not only has Eureka Childrens' Museum but also the fascinating Bankfield House costume collection with its contemporary crafts exhibitions. The National Coal Mining Museum is much praised by our guests and only 15 miles away. Andy Goldsworthy's current exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculture Park is a must for anyone interested in fine art. Apart from Eureka, all of these are free.

Further afield there is The National Museum of Film and Photography in Bradford, the Victoria Market and Royal Armouries in Leeds, York with its Yorvik Centre and National Railway Museum, the new Daniel Liebeskind Imperial War Museum and the Lowry Centre in Salford, the new Urbis Museum and Cathedral Gardens in Manchester, The Magna Centre in Rotherham, Barnsley's Metrodome and Sheffield's new Ice Centre and Ski Slopes.

East Riddlesden Hall, Harewood House, Sudbury Hall (with its childrens' museum), Chatsworth, and Castle Howard are stately homes within sensible travel distance. Howarth, the home of the Brontes, is well worth a visit that could combine a visit to Hebden Bridge (recently claimed as being officially the 'funkiest' town in Europe and the best town in Britain for independent shops). Sylvia Plath lies in the Heptonstall churchyard nearby. The best collection of Tiffany Glass outside the USA is within a reasonable distance in Accrington.

The nation's current 5th Most popular attraction (Daily Telegraph, 22/04/06), Flamingo Land Theme Park & Zoo although further afield is 90 minutes car journey time away. Chester Zoo is only 75 minutes away (by car). For teenagers (or adults), Paul McCartney's house at 20 Forthlin Road and John Lennon's Mendips are surprisingly close (1hr 3 minutes according to multimap!).