However, in our day-to-day lives, we often overlook the beauty and history that surround us. As Calderdale celebrates its 50th anniversary, there is no better time to rediscover and appreciate the unique heritage of Halifax.
Halifax Heritage Tours, a local Community Interest Company (CIC) is dedicated to preserving and promoting this heritage with their team of passionate volunteers making it their mission to recall and value our heritage to shape everyone’s future.
The organisation aims to raise the civic pride of our home and connect people with their past through guided walking and bus tours, inspiring communities, schools and generations to come together to boost our sense of belonging and strengthen social connections.
Their summer 2024 program is filled with exciting tours, including three new additions.
One of the highlights is a tour of the former Halifax Old Borough Magistrates Court and Central Police Station. This tour offers a fascinating look into the history and architecture of the site, which now serves as the home of Calderdale Music.
For those who prefer nature, the Hebble Trail Tour is an excellent choice. This scenic route follows the path of the old Halifax Branch Canal, ascending 100 feet over 1.5 miles.
The final addition is a tour celebrating the notable women of Halifax, commissioned by former MP Holly Lynch in honour of International Women’s Day 2024.
The latest series of tours will run from August through the end of September, with all tours in September offered free of charge as part of the National Heritage Open Days Festival.
This annual event, held over 10 days in September, brings communities together to celebrate heritage, history, and local traditions. It provides an opportunity to explore hidden places and experience something new, perfectly aligning with the mission of Halifax Heritage Tours CIC.
To view the full schedule of tours available this summer and to book your place, please visit Halifax Heritage Tours’ website.
Outside of the Heritage Open Days Festival, guided tours with Halifax Heritage CIC cost just £6.00 per person, while bus tours are £10.00, with all proceeds going directly into funding new educational and community projects.
Halifax Heritage Tours CIC also offers private tours for groups and international visitors, as well as partnering with local community organisations, such as St Augustine’s Centre, to provide safe and welcoming guided tours of the Town Centre for asylum seekers and new refugees rebuilding their lives in Calderdale.
For those unable to join the walking tours, the fully accessible heritage bus tour, in collaboration with South Pennine Community Transport offers a chance to explore Halifax’s historic treasures. Highlights include Wainhouse Tower, the world’s tallest folly, and the unique Gibbet, a medieval execution device used between 1286 and 1650.
Join Halifax Heritage Tours CIC this summer to delve into our town’s fascinating past, discover its hidden gems, and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes Halifax truly special.
For more information, please visit: https://halifaxheritage.co.uk/ or email: hello@halifaxheritage.co.uk