Castle Hill and Victoria Tower | | Standing over 900 feet above sea level
Castle Hill dominates the local
landscape, providing spectacular,
often windswept views.
NOW OPEN DAILY THROUGHOUT SUMMER HOLIDAYS beginning 26 July | Special features
* Access is by steep uneven paths
* No facilities
* Working dogs accepted
Plans for improvements
A programme of improvements is planned for Castle Hill which includes renewal of paths, repairs to erosion, viewing platforms and seating. The work will create a level path around the perimeter of the site to improve access to Castle Hill for disabled people and families with pushchairs and people with mobility problems.
The centrepiece of the plans (which will be the subject of a subsequent planning application) is for the installation of a bridge leading up to the Victoria Tower.
English Heritage, a range of local interest groups and residents are involved in discussions about the improvements.
A trial section of the path will be evaluated during July. Work is scheduled to start in the autumn with a planning application for the bridge to follow
Download the Landscape plans below.
The history of human activity on the hill goes back over 4000 years. The site was developed as an iron age hill fort, surrounded by defensive ditches and ramparts. In the Middle Ages there was a castle on the hill, of which the well remains. The present tower was built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee of 1897. The site is a scheduled ancient monument. More information about the hill and its history can be found in displays at Tolson Museum.
Victoria Tower
Perched on Castle Hill overlooking Huddersfield, the tower was completed in 1899 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's reign. The corner-stone of the tower was laid on 25 June 1898 by Mr John Frechville Ramsden and was officially opened by the Earl of Scarborough on 24 June 1899. The walls of the tower are four feet thick at the bottom, tapering to two feet at the top. The tower was renovated in 1960 when the top seven feet were removed. It reaches the height of almost 997 feet above sea level. Victoria Tower is open to the public on certain days of the year.
Admission
Admission Adults £1.30, Children 60p, Families (2 adults and up to 4 children) £3.00. Kirklees Passport holders free.
Access:
Pedestrian access is by steep paths and access road.
Paths to Victoria Tower from the car park are steep and uneven. The Tower can be accessed by steps only.
We regret that all parts of our museum sites are not yet fully accessible. Fire regulations mean that there are also restrictions on the use of prams and pushchairs indoors. Please contact the museum for further details and any other access information that will help you to plan your visit.
See plans for improvements.
Public Transport: Bus No. 341 stops on Ashes Lane, just below Castle Hill. For further information please contact Metroline on 0113 2457676
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| For more information, contact: | Mr Julian Brown
Castle Hill Ranger | Mobile: 07968 426312
Email: julian.brown@kirklees.gov.uk | Kirklees Countryside Unit
Culture and Leisure Services,
The Stadium Business and Leisure Complex,
Stadium Way,
Huddersfield,
HD1 6PG | Tel: 01484 234076
Fax: 01484 234099
Email: countryside.unit@kirklees.gov.uk | Andrew Muddiman
For information on Developments,
Design and Property Service,
Kirkgate Buildings, Byram Street,
Huddersfield,
HD1 1BY | Tel: 01484 226181
Email: andrew.muddiman@kirklees.gov.uk |
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Related Documents: |
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Conservation Management Plan
Documents and contact information.
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Landscape plans
Plan of the proposed improvements for Castle Hill showing position of paths, viewing platforms and seating. Also shows the plan of the proposed bridge leading up to Victoria Tower. Work is scheduled to start in the autumn with a planning application for the bridge to follow.
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Plan for bridge
Artists impression showing proposed bridge (image)
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Disclaimer:
Please note, in some cases, the instructions for finding venues may only be exact to the the nearest street. Also, whilst we try to ensure these instructions are accurate we cannot accept responsibility for any postcode errors, or to subsequent changes in the venue details. |
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| Venue: |
Castle Hill and Victoria Tower,
Off Lumb Lane,
Almondbury,
Huddersfield,
HD4 6TA |
| Getting there: |
Map |
Directions |
| Opening times: |
Opening dates 2010:
Between 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm
From May Day every weekend until 31st October (Includes 28, 29, 30 August )
LATEST >>> Open Monday to Friday between 12 pm to 4.30 pm, beginning on Monday 26th July until Friday 3rd September 2010 |
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