Holmfirth Tourist Information

Holmfirth Attractions & Last of the Summer Wine

Holmfirth in Pennine Yorkshire just outside the Peak District National Park boundary is famously associated with the TV hit series Last of the Summerwine. The town is beautifully situated at the confluence of the Ribble and Holme rivers. The rivers early on provided water power for corn and textile mills in Holmfirth. Attractions and things to do in Holmfirth connected to the Last of the Summerwine series are extensive and include Last of the Summerwine film sites like Sid's Cafe. Visitors can stay in Nora Batty's Cottage in Holmfirth and Summerwine Exhibitions and a Summerwine gift shop feature at the Wrinkled Stocking Tearoom in Holmfirth. Pennine Helicopters also offer fantastic helicopter pleasure flights of Summerwine Country via themed flight tours like 'Compo's Country Trail'. Summerwine Magic Tour offers a comprehensive tour by minibus of Summerwine Country around the Holme Valley, taking in various stunning film locations used in the Hit TV series.

Holmfirth and The Holme Valley boasts a thriving arts and crafts scene. Within Holmfirth centre sits the acclaimed Picturedrome Cinema and around the Holme Valley are numerous craft centres featuring crafts by local textile designers, potters and photographers. Pick up a copy of the Holmfirth Art & Music Creativity in the Holme Valley leaflet from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre which lists the many craft centres in the area. Craft gems in the Holme Valley include Sue Clay's beautiful range of fashion textiles and accessories (see Felt Connection website link right). Bottoms Mill in Holmfirth on Woodhead Road is a particular hotsport for a range of fine crafts from ceramics, sculpture and craft jewellery to landscape art and unique furniture and lighting. Holmfirth Markets are numerous within the venue on Huddersfield Road. Farma Accredited Holmfirth Farmers' Market takes place on the third Sunday of every month (8am to 2pm). The very best of local produce is available here. Other Holmfirth Markets include the Wednesday Vintage market, Thursday General Market and the Saturday Craft and Food Market. Saturday's Holmfirth Market is a treasure trove of fine craft jewellery, soaps, hand-carved furniture and craft gifts. Holmfirth Festivals include the annual late September Holmfirth Food & Drink Festival.

Holmfirth is also a very popular stopping off point and walking base with walkers undertaking the challenging Pennine Way National Trail. The Pennine Way weaves up through the Dark Peak and Wessenden Moor just west of Holmfirth. The sight of Holmfirth traditional inns serving fine food and real ales and the gentler countryside of the Holme Valley are a welcome sight to walkers on the Pennine Way who detour off the trail to this beautiful Pennine Yorkshire town. As lovers of the Last of the Summerwine TV series will know well, Holmfirth is a picture postcard gem with steep cobbled streets, beautiful old mills and charming weaver's cottages indicative of many historic Pennine Yorkshire villages and small towns in Pennine Yorkshire with a heritage linked to textiles. Holmfirth once produced some of Britain's finest woollen cloths and yarns and today is a top craft textiles centre in Pennine Yorkshire.

Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre, 49-51 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth. Tel. 01484 222444.

Walking Around Holmfirth

A choice of circular, riverside and reservoir walks are within easy reach of Holmfirth as you push south west towards Holmbridge and the Peak District National Park. A highlight walk from Holmfirth pushes southwest past Holme up to the spectacular Holme Moss View Point (525m above sea level) via the A6024 Woodhead Road. A car park sits near Holme Moss off the A6024 road for easy access. Stunning views of West Yorkshire towards Huddersfield can be seen from this high viewpoint. There is also the popular Holme Valley Riverside Way Walk (starts from Magdale) which runs for about 6 miles and links Holmfirth with pretty nearby villages including Honley and Netherthong. The popular and more challenging Holme Valley Circular Walk commences from Berry Brow near Huddersfield and winds around the Holme Valley for around 24 miles, taking in top historic sites and spectacular viewpoints in the area.

Reservoirs to the west and southwest of Holmfirth including Digley Reservoir and Ramsden Reservoir are sites for spectacular reservoir walks (see guides via the Yorkshire Water website link). Great family friendly walking trails sit around the Digley Reservoir with plenty of opportunity to extend walks into the Wessenden Moorland within the Peak District National Park.

The Holmbridge and Holme Walk is a 5 mile walk taking in the Pennine Moors and Peaks hills. This walk pushes past Yateholme, Ramsden and Digley Reservoirs. Maps and guides to all these popular walks around Holmfirth are available from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre. Visit the Yorkshire Water website for comprehensive guides and maps on reservoir walks near Holmfirth.