Halifax

Halifax sits among the folds of the South Pennines, where the land rises steeply from the town centre into moorland and reservoirs on almost every side. The old wealth of its wool trade shows in the grand stone buildings that line its streets, while the hills beyond give the town a sense of being tucked into the landscape rather than laid flat across it. It is a place shaped by its topography, with valleys, becks and high ground never far from wherever you stand.

Shibden Hall is the standout attraction, a timber-framed manor house set in parkland that traces the area's history back centuries. Ogden Water Country Park gives a proper taste of the surrounding moorland, with paths around its reservoir and views out across the hills, ideal for a slower-paced walk. The Bankfield Museum adds another layer of local history, while families are well catered for with Another World Adventure Centre, Clip 'n Climb Halifax, The Mill Play Centre and PB's Play Village, all useful for a day when the weather turns.

Halifax works well as a base for exploring the wider Pennine landscape without giving up on comfort or convenience. Its hills mean you are rarely more than a short drive from open moorland, yet the town itself keeps a good spread of places to eat, stay and spend a day, making it a practical stop for anyone drawn to this part of West Yorkshire.