Things to do in West Yorkshire

Polly Checkland Harding

West Yorkshire is a northern county particularly packed with cultural attractions, from the award-winning market town of Hebden Bridge on its western edge, to the incredible Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle in the east of the area. There’s so much going on in West Yorkshire, in fact, that we’ve dedicated two separate guides to Bradford in the north – including Ilkley and Saltaire – and to the wonderful city of Leeds. Here, though, we explore the siren call of Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield, all of which call this great county their home.

Discover the thriving cultural scene in Hebden Bridge, driven by a tight-knit community and spanning the legendary Trades Club, Picture House, bustling market and annual arts festival. Explore Halifax, the former heart of the English wool trade, where the oldest remaining cloth hall in Europe has been transformed into a hub for heritage, shopping and culinary delights – or Shibden Hall, filming location for BBC One series Gentleman Jack.

Or perhaps Huddersfield takes your fancy: why not, when the town is home to the UK’s largest international festival of contemporary music, an award-winning literature festival and the UK’s first eco spa. For more of the best things to do in West Yorkshire, including Wakefield‘s £35m art museum The Hepworth, and the outstanding locations in the surrounding area, read on.

What's on in West Yorkshire

Rebecca Hurst
LiteratureWest Yorkshire
Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a now regular night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.

free entry

Where to go in West Yorkshire

Huddersfield Art Gallery courtesy of Kirklees Council
Huddersfield
Gallery
Huddersfield Art Gallery

Based in the town centre and easily accessible, Huddersfield Art Gallery is home to an extensive and stunning collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures.

West Yorkshire
Museum
Bankfield Museum

Situated in the beautiful gardens of Akroyd Park, Bankfield Museum is a grand Victorian villa with permanent exhibitions of textiles and costume, as well as varying temporary exhibitions also.

West Yorkshire
Gallery
Open Gallery

A beautiful and varied collection of contemporary art from across the UK. Their regular exhibitions are both seasonal and thematic and always worth visiting…

Huddersfield
Gallery
AC Gallery

What was once, in the 1950s, a family ran art shop, has since evolved through the generations into a successful series of galleries across the north.

Wakefield
Music venue
Jock’s Cavern

High quality cocktails and vibrant live music is what makes Jocks Cavern so popular. This underground bar offers an intimate and effervescent atmosphere to indulge in their well-stocked bar.

Wakefield
Bar or Pub
Now Serving

In the heart of Wakefield this basement bar, ‘high end, low brow’ by their own description, remains a popular watering hole.

West Yorkshire Visitor Guides

Hebden Bridge
Walks in Hebden Bridge

A round-up of the best walks in Hebden Bridge, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.

Stately Homes in the North

The North of England is blessed with countless stunning stately homes, many dating back decades and even centuries. Here are some of the very best.

Waterton Park Hotel
Hotels in West Yorkshire

Here’s our guide to the best hotels in the North East of England, including Hedben Bridge, Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield.

Shot down Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Walks in Huddersfield

Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside, Huddersfield is steeped in history and holds its own when it comes to arts and culture. Our Walks in Huddersfield Guide takes in many of the sites plus some glorious green spaces and parks.

Walks in Wakefield

A round-up of the best walks in Wakefield, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.

Walks in Halifax.
Walks in Halifax

A round-up of the best walks in Halifax – including the cultural sites, parks and surrounding countryside by Creative Tourist.

Byrom Arcade
Shopping in West Yorkshire

Our guide to the best shops in West Yorkshire, including independents and markets in Hebden Bridge, Huddersfield, Halifax and Wakefield.

Timekeepers
Spotlight on

Light Festivals in the North

From enchanting lantern parades to epic LED installations, light festivals are a brilliant way celebrate the magic of the winter months.

Take me there