Lying to the west of Huddersfield, the Colne Valley has much to explore, including the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and a number of interesting small villages. Golcar, set on the hillside overlooking the valley, boasts a fine collection of weavers' cottages and is home to the Colne Valley Museum, while picturesque Marsden sits in the valley bottom – a great base for walkers and day visitors.
Sitting at the head of the valley, Marsden has strong associations with the Luddite movement and formed an historic trans-pennine crossing point, with the Standedge rail and canal tunnels and a packhorse route leading out of the valley.
Marsden is steeped in textile history and has strong historical connections with the Luddites - textiles workers who destroyed the machinery that threatened their jobs. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal brought Marsden prosperity as a transpennine staging post and at Standedge you will find the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain. The surrounding wild and beautiful National Trust moorland and dramatic Peak District Park make the town an excellent base for outdoor pursuits. Today, the eye-catching stone built village is home to many interesting shops as well as its own theatre company.
Neighbouring Slaithwaite is dominated by magnificent mill buildings, as well as a Georgian church and the nearby 16th Century Slaithwaite Hall and this is one of the few places in England where the canal runs straight down the main street.
Did you know?
It is thought that Marsden is nick-named Bellas Town after the interesting social antics of the late Rev Lancelot Bellas. His love of the local ale house ensured he was the centre of attention and often clouded his ability (and want) to undertake his pastoral duties!
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