Discover Huddersfield: Parks and History

Huddersfield: Parks and History

A stay in Huddersfield offers a choice of different focuses: green spaces and activities, local and regional history, and a waterside walk. Greenhead Park combines a historic connection with park amenities. The Tolson Museum explores Huddersfield and its people; Heritage Quay offers another way to explore the history of the Huddersfield area. There is also an exhibition about survivors of Nazi persecution and Castle Hill, a designated monument. You can shape your itinerary around whether you’re most interested in park amenities, historical topics or a walk.

Green Spaces and Activities

Greenhead Park opened in 1884. Its amenities include a free skatepark for skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters. The skatepark is accessible during the park’s opening hours. If you plan to use it, make sure your visit coincides with those hours.

Greenhead Park also has a miniature steam railway running along a 1/3-mile track. The park therefore offers two different attractions: the skatepark for the wheeled sports mentioned above, and the railway, with its own track length. Check the current park opening hours and railway operating information before your visit.

Museums, Exhibition and Archives

Through its unique collections, the Tolson Museum presents a wide-ranging picture of Huddersfield and its people, from prehistory to the present day. This broad time span makes it a starting point for exploring different aspects of the town’s history and its population. The museum is in Ravensknowle Park, which has a playground, gift shop and refreshments.

Through Our Eyes focuses on 16 children and young people who survived Nazi persecution in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The exhibition therefore has a clear thematic and historical focus. By contrast, the Tolson Museum’s collections provide a broad picture of Huddersfield and its people, from prehistory to the present day. The two historical perspectives differ in their scope and focus.

Heritage Quay is the University of Huddersfield’s service for special collections, archives and records management. Its local history collections help visitors explore the diverse history of life in the Huddersfield area. Alongside the Tolson Museum’s collections, it provides a different way to explore regional history, focusing on local history collections and archive services. When choosing historical topics, you can therefore choose between a broad picture of the town and its people and an approach based on local collections and archives.

Monument and Walk

Castle Hill is designated as a Scheduled Monument (NHLE 1009846). Its monument status offers a distinct historical point of interest alongside the museums, exhibitions and archives.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal offers visitors a leisurely walk along the towpath. This offers a different focus from the collections and exhibitions, with the emphasis on walking alongside the water. When planning your time in Huddersfield, you can include this walk as a separate activity alongside the historical attractions.

Discover more destinations: Scissett, Holmfirth, Batley, Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Dewsbury

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