Dewsbury

An attractive mix of small villages and towns, Batley, Dewsbury and the Spen Valley are renowned for their history and textile heritage.  Expanding rapidly in the late 19th century through the development of the textile trade the area is littered with cobbled streets and architecturally wonderful buildings from the Victorian era.

Visit the grand mansions of Oakwell Hall and Red House to learn how the beautiful buildings inpsired Charlotte Brontë to set her novels here. Both houses are open to the public, and Oakwell Hall's Annual Country Fair is definitely worth a trip. 

Retail junkies should pit their stamina against the Yorkshire Mill Mile, a stretch of discount mill shops and designer goods between Dewsbury and Batley.   Finish off the day at Easthorpe Spa Hall - a delightful urban retreat where guests can relax and unwind and let the stresses of everyday life melt away. 

Find a bargain at Yorkshire's largest open market in Dewsbury - voted UK market of the year in 2006, and then enjoy a picnic at Shepley Bridge Marina - a beautiful stretch of the Calder and Hebble canal in Mirfield.

Events in Batley, Dewsbury and Cleckheaton run throughout the year with continental markets, fairs and festivals.

Related Links
http://www.visitbatley.com/
http://www.visitspenvalley.com/
http://www.pennineyorkshire.com/
http://www.visitdewsbury.com/