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An Introduction to West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire is in North/central England. The county comprises the regions of Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale (Halifax) and Kirklees (Huddersfield)

Leeds:With a first rate nightlife, great shopping, fascinating architecture, world renowned sports venues and our close proximity to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales are just a few of the many attractions that bring over 11 million visitors to Leeds every year. With over 100 bars, 25 night clubs and 75 restaurants in the city centre alone, Leeds is famous for its vibrant night life and cultural scene. The city is home to the Leeds International Pianoforte Competition and top international performing companies such as Opera North, Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance Theatre.
Over the last ten years, Leeds has been transformed from a northern industrial city to one of the most vibrant and successful cities in the country, with thriving finance, business service and retail sectors.

Rapid industrial growth during the nineteenth century transformed a successful town into a thriving city. Leeds Town Hall, one of the finest civic buildings in Britain, the Grand Theatre, St Paul's House, elegant arcades and numerous other examples of Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian architecture are monuments to the city's sustained prosperity. Much of the city's heritage has recently been lovingly restored and preserved as witnessed by the attractive renovations of the Corn Exchange, Victoria Quarter, County Arcade and Leeds market buildings.

Leeds has become the home to over 75 different nationalities and this rich mix of people and skills produces a thriving artistic and cultural life. The city supports exciting theatre and dance, great opera and music, prize-winning galleries and museums. Sporting activities in Leeds really pull in the crowds and the city is famous for football, cricket, rugby, swimming, the Leeds Marathon and national and international cycling events.

Of particular interest is the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle steam train line. This was the last great mainline railway to be built in this country. Completed in 1876, and consists of 72 miles of tracks with 20 major viaducts and 14 tunnels blasted through the seemingly impossible hillsides, the line was constructed by men with little to supplement muscle power other than dynamite and temporary tramways. The traveller can enjoy a dramatic and inspiring journey through magnificent scenery. Probably the most famous landmark along the railway is Ribblehead Viaduct with its 24 arches. Between Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Ribblehead stations the line climbs 200 feet in 5 miles)

Bradford:A fascinating heritage combined with forward-looking developments and major attractions makes Bradford a dynamic place to be. Bradford is full of architectural gems with more listed buildings per square kilometre than any other regional city in Britain – a legacy from its pioneering textile industry and rich history. At the same time, it has all the facilities of a booming modern metropolis and is benefiting from millions of pounds of investment pouring into the city.

The lively leisure scene includes talent drawn from the many different communities around the district. Bradford has a wealth of art galleries and museums, including the award-winning National Museum of Photography, Film & Television - one of the country's most visited attractions outside London. The district is fantastic for food, boasting more than 300 Asian eateries, and many other gastronomic delights from around the globe are also available. Wide green open spaces are a feature of life in Bradford, with more than 40 parks and scores of recreation grounds, and the city is set in some of the most spectacular scenery in England, such as the Yorkshire moors and dales.

There is so much to see and do with a host of places to visit – whether it be the World Heritage Site of Saltaire, the elegant spa town of Ilkey or breathtaking Bronte Country full of literary heritage. If you are a food lover, history buff, outdoor type, culture vulture or mixture of all the above, there is plenty to suit you in Bradford.

Wakefield:The City of Wakefield has splendid architecture with a variety of well preserved buildings from medieval times through to the Victorian and Georgian era. The Cathedral Church of All Saints, dating from the 14th century dominates the centre of the City with its 75 metre (247 feet) crocketed spire (the tallest in Yorkshire). It has magnificent wood carvings throughout the building and a comprehensive collection of stained glass windows by Charles Kempe who contributed work to the Cathedral throughout his working life from the mid 19th century to the first years of the 20th century.

The motte and bailey Castle at Sandal, dates back from the 12th century. The later stone castle overlooks the site of the Battle of Wakefield (1460), where Richard III was planning to make his permanent stronghold in the north when he was killed at Bosworth Field. Standing on Wakefield's medieval bridge, is The Chantry Chapel of St Mary, a rare survival from the Middle Ages (one of only four in England). The stone bridge on which the chapel stands was built in the early 1340's and was of great economic importance to the people of Wakefield because it provided a vital crossing over the river for travellers, who paid tolls to use the bridge. 

Wakefield prospered for many years as an inland grain and cloth port and it was the wealth of the textile merchants in the 18th century that produced the grand town houses that still grace St Johns Square.  

Prominent buildings such as Town Hall and County Hall, Wakefield's Theatre Royal and Opera House, built in 1894 by eminent Victorian architect Frank Matcham, can still be seen today.  

Huddersfield is a true Yorkshire town, full of surprising qualities, strong traditions, impressive architecture, quality shopping, top class sport, exciting festivals and artistic reputation.  All this is set on the edge of the wonderful scenery of the Peak District National Park and South Pennines.

Huddersfield took shape during the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to the confirmation of County Borough status in 1868 and its reputation and prosperity was built around the textile industry and its fine woollen worsteds are still sent to customers all over the world. 
The boom created by the textile industry provided a rich legacy of fine Victorian buildings such as the railway station and its town Hall. In 1920 Huddersfield Corporation purchased the Ramsden Estate including almost all of its town centre.  As a result of this, Huddersfield has affectionately been styled as ‘the town that bought itself’.

Places of interst include: Castle Hill & Victorian Tower, Colne Valley Museum, Huddersfield Art Gallery, Tolson Memorial Museum