Rediscover Halifax: Explore Rich History and Hidden Gems with Halifax Heritage Tours CIC

Picture of Jordan Baker

Jordan Baker

Halifax has a rich history and cultural significance, from the likes of the magnificent Town Hall designed by the renowned father and son architects, Charles Barry and Edward Middleton Barry. The town is also home to Shibden Hall, the historic residence of the late Anne Lister, and the picturesque Hebble Trail.

However, in our day-to-day lives, we often overlook the beauty and history that surround us. As Calderdale celebrates its 50th anniversary, there is no better time to rediscover and appreciate the unique heritage of Halifax.

Halifax Heritage Tours, a local Community Interest Company (CIC) is dedicated to preserving and promoting this heritage with their team of passionate volunteers making it their mission to recall and value our heritage to shape everyone’s future.

The organisation aims to raise the civic pride of our home and connect people with their past through guided walking and bus tours, inspiring communities, schools and generations to come together to boost our sense of belonging and strengthen social connections.

An image of Halifax Town Hall
Aerial view of Wainhouse Tower set against a snowy landscape and winter sunrise.

Their summer 2024 program is filled with exciting tours, including three new additions.

One of the highlights is a tour of the former Halifax Old Borough Magistrates Court and Central Police Station. This tour offers a fascinating look into the history and architecture of the site, which now serves as the home of Calderdale Music.

For those who prefer nature, the Hebble Trail Tour is an excellent choice. This scenic route follows the path of the old Halifax Branch Canal, ascending 100 feet over 1.5 miles.

The final addition is a tour celebrating the notable women of Halifax, commissioned by former MP Holly Lynch in honour of International Women’s Day 2024.

The latest series of tours will run from August through the end of September, with all tours in September offered free of charge as part of the National Heritage Open Days Festival.

This annual event, held over 10 days in September, brings communities together to celebrate heritage, history, and local traditions. It provides an opportunity to explore hidden places and experience something new, perfectly aligning with the mission of Halifax Heritage Tours CIC.

A flyer for Halifax Heritage Tours CIC Summer Schedule.

To view the full schedule of tours available this summer and to book your place, please visit Halifax Heritage Tours’ website.

Outside of the Heritage Open Days Festival, guided tours with Halifax Heritage CIC cost just £6.00 per person, while bus tours are £10.00, with all proceeds going directly into funding new educational and community projects.

Halifax Heritage Tours CIC also offers private tours for groups and international visitors, as well as partnering with local community organisations, such as St Augustine’s Centre, to provide safe and welcoming guided tours of the Town Centre for asylum seekers and new refugees rebuilding their lives in Calderdale.

For those unable to join the walking tours, the fully accessible heritage bus tour, in collaboration with South Pennine Community Transport offers a chance to explore Halifax’s historic treasures. Highlights include Wainhouse Tower, the world’s tallest folly, and the unique Gibbet, a medieval execution device used between 1286 and 1650.

Join Halifax Heritage Tours CIC this summer to delve into our town’s fascinating past, discover its hidden gems, and celebrate the vibrant culture that makes Halifax truly special.

For more information, please visit: https://halifaxheritage.co.uk/ or email: hello@halifaxheritage.co.uk

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VAC + Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector.

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

40% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

25% Discount on Virtual Office – Perfect for start ups or smaller organisations, our Virtual Office service offers a postal address, pigeonhole and reception facilities.

25% Discount on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.  As a VAC + Member, you will receive a considerable discount on all VAC Training and Events.

VAC Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector. 

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

20% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

Competitive rate on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.