| Halifax is set into rich countryside and home to 82,000 | | | | traditional setting, and is extremely popular with locals. |
| people. With a history dating back to the twelfth | | | | Open late and situated in the town centre, the |
| century, the town is rich in history and offers one of | | | | restaurant is also popular with post-party clubbers. |
| the most unique and popular museums in the country. | | | | El Gato Negro Tapas Bar serves classic and |
| With a vast selection of theatres, performance spaces | | | | contemporary tapas dishes and a variety of wines. |
| and art galleries, the town forms a cultural centre of | | | | Pubs/Bars |
| the north and offers much for a quiet weekend away. | | | | Halifax and Calderdale CAMRA awarded The Fox |
| Its busy nightlife, and variety of bars, makes for a | | | | and Goose 'Pub of the Year' in 2006, and also rates |
| vibrant nightlife; and there are numerous recommended | | | | The Shears Inn, with has been recommended in 10 |
| restaurants to choose from. | | | | consecutive editions of Good Beer Guide. |
| The town is well connected by transport links and | | | | Bar 15 is a bar and club, with seating for 200 and |
| offers plenty of reasons to visit! | | | | showcasing rock and alternative bands on Friday and |
| History | | | | Saturday nights. The bar is also known as 'The |
| Halifax is steeped in history and has been a unified | | | | Rockshack' and has a resident classic rock DJ who |
| parish since the twelfth century. The area became | | | | plays regularly. |
| involved in woollen manufacture, and this increased the | | | | The Standard of Freedom and William IV are popular, |
| population by 25 times between the fifteenth and | | | | traditional bars, with long histories and loved by locals. |
| sixteenth century. By the beginning of the Industrial | | | | Nightclubs |
| Revolution, manufacture in the area had branched out | | | | Although there aren't a huge number of nightclubs in |
| into other types of textile materials. | | | | Halifax, there are a few very popular venues and |
| The Piece Hall was built in the eighteenth century as a | | | | Coliseum and Maine Street is the most popular. The |
| market for trading textiles, and remains an important | | | | club presents dance, r'n'b and party tunes, and opens |
| work of architecture in the region. Bankfield Museum | | | | three nights a week. |
| and Art Gallery comprises 10 galleries and explores | | | | The Tube is a house music venue, open Friday and |
| the region's manufacturing history. | | | | Saturday nights. The décor is impressive, |
| Eureka! is Halifax's most famous museum, and an | | | | 70s-influenced designer kitsch, with state of the art |
| exploration of science and technology for children. The | | | | lighting and sound technology, plush seating and a VIP |
| museum comprises 400 interactive displays and | | | | lounge. |
| exhibits, documenting human biology, scientific | | | | Acapulco presents mainstream dance and house |
| development, ecology and the world of work. | | | | music three nights a week, and is affectionately known |
| Art Galleries | | | | as 'Acca'. The club is renowned for its exceptionally |
| Halifax's main art collection is housed in the Visitors | | | | cheap drinks and special offers. |
| Centre and Art Gallery in the Piece Hall, and comprises | | | | The Tramshed Zoo Bar is a rock club, currently closed |
| works of art, craft, photography and design, with a | | | | for a license review. |
| new emphasis on crafts. The gallery covers a number | | | | Shopping |
| of open-plan units, allowing browsers to savour the | | | | The Piece Hall is Halifax's most popular shopping area, |
| works individually. | | | | comprising 50 independent retail units and a large |
| Halifax's Bankfield Museum and Art Gallery comprises | | | | market square. A fleamarket is held on Thursdays, and |
| 10 galleries, and focuses on textiles and contemporary | | | | an open market on Saturdays. Specialist markets |
| craft works that document the area's manufacturing | | | | include a Christmas Market and continental markets. |
| history. Galleries include 'World of Textiles', 'Edith | | | | Close by is The Woolshops Shopping Centre, home to |
| Durham Gallery' and 'The Toy Gallery'. | | | | more than 80 high street shops and 300 parking |
| The Dean Clough Gallery is home to 600 art and | | | | spaces. Units are currently occupied by River Island, |
| design exhibits, and comprises The Viaduct Gallery, | | | | HMV, Miss Selfridge, 2 coffee shops and a cafe. |
| The Design House Gallery, the Crossley Gallery, the | | | | The Halifax borough market is located in a Grade II |
| Link Gallery and a number of seminar galleries on the | | | | listed, nineteenth century building, and comprises almost |
| upper floor. | | | | 200 stalls. |
| Theatres | | | | The main shopping street in the town is The Market |
| The Victoria Theatre stages around 165 productions | | | | Arcade; lined with charity shops, high street stores and |
| each year, and seats 3500 people. Previous and | | | | cafes. |
| upcoming performances include comedies, musicals | | | | Sports |
| and dance productions. The theatre bar has seating | | | | The North Bridge Leisure Centre is one of eight in the |
| for 120 people. | | | | town, and offers an extensive programme of sports, |
| The Square Chapel Arts Centre is a painstakingly | | | | athletics, aerobics and martial arts. There is a large |
| renovated eighteenth century building, staging drama, | | | | sports hall and Projectile Gallery, a gym and |
| children's theatre, dance, musicals, community drama | | | | Ofsted-registered creche. |
| and various lectures and talks throughout the year. | | | | Another popular leisure centre is Halifax Swimming |
| The Viaduct Theatre specialises is small-scale | | | | Pool, comprising a 25-metre pool, fitness studio, dance |
| productions, and The Playhouse has seating for 260 | | | | studio, 2 squash courts and a multimedia multi-sensory |
| people. | | | | room. |
| Restaurants | | | | The Halifax Ski and Snowboarding Centre is based in |
| The Millbank is just one of Halifax's highly rated fine | | | | the Sportsman Inn and Leisure Complex and offers a |
| dining restaurants, and has been honoured with a | | | | choice of slopes for beginners and the more |
| Michelin star and recommendations by Good Food | | | | experienced, with a range of tuition available to suit all |
| Guide, The Independent and The Times. The menu | | | | abilities. |
| comprises contemporary European cuisine with 'a | | | | There are 10 golf courses in Halifax, including the |
| Yorkshire touch' and an extensive wine list. | | | | notoriously difficult, 18-hole Halifax Golf Club that offers |
| The Bore is close by, serving classic British dishes, and | | | | a challenge to the most experienced of players. The |
| is also highly rated. | | | | Halifax Bradley Hall Golf Club is also an 18-hole course, |
| Meena's offers Balti, Tandoori and Bengali cuisine in a | | | | but is smaller and offers a more relaxing game. |