Creative inspiration

This captivating little village oozes creativity - celebrating everything about it that's unique through an exciting festival program including Arts and Music, Film, Food and Drink, and the not-to-be-missed Duck Race (yes, seriously!). A number of nationally recognised artists and sculptors live and work in the Valley including Ashley Jackson, Trevor Stubley, Mick Kirkby-Geddes and Brendan Hesmondhalgh.

Wine, tea and treats

Tantalizing local-made treats await your taste buds at every corner. Handmade luxury chocolates at Tilley's, a pot of Holmfirth tea, Longley's ice cream, a glass (ok, a bottle) of wine at Holmfirth Vineyard, and a sumptuous evening meal at The Butchers Arms in Hepworth (run by TV chef Timothy Bilton). For that final taste explosion try The Nook's Fiery Red Ale.

Summer Wine Trail & Charming countryside

Don't those cobbled lanes and the gentle rolling hills look familiar? There's a simple explanation: Holmfirth provided the setting for the TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine. Hop aboard the vintage tour bus which takes you up the little hilltop roads above the valley to some of the stunning Pennine locations used in filming the series. And there is the Summerwine exhibition, lovingly put together with the aid of Bill Owen, the actor who played Compo.

Tourist Information Centre

Be sure to pop in to the Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre when you visit for plenty of ideas, hints and tips on events and things that are happeinng during your trip.

Long legs or short legs?

Either way, stretch out and enjoy the plethora of walking routes around the Holme Valley. Digley Reservoir is a local beauty spot with wonderful views; and the Holme Valley Riverside Way weaves alongside the River Holme from Magdale to Holme. Cyclists stamina is tested to the hilt at Holme Moss - whose length and difficulty make it a frequent inclusion in UK cycle races including the Tour of Britain.

The Last of the Summer Wine

Although the show came to an end after 39 years on our television screens, the innocence of Last of the Summer Wine and its loveable characters remains dear to our hearts. Reminisce over tea and cake at Sids café outside the church, watch old episodes and giggle over pieces of original set at the Summer Wine Exhibition. Download some a leaflet telling you all about "Summer Wine Country".

The first of the Summer Wine

Becky and Ian Sheveling spent three months planting 7000 vines on a lush hillside in Holmbridge to create the first of the summer wine at Holmfirth Vineyard. A brand new visitor centre opened in June 2011, and wine tasting courses are held regularly.

Oldies and goodies

It's a night to remember a The Picturedrome; one of the best gigging venues around. Live concerts are hosted in this funky old cinema nearly every weekend from old favorites like Shakin Stevens, The Wonderstuff and Nik Kershaw; plus unique modern artists such as blues songstress Sandi Thom and Katie Tunstall.

Stilton pork pies, ginger crème fraiche, Holmfirth tea....

... agiant slice of homemade cake, mouthwatering chocolates, gooey cheese, Holmfirth Vineyard Solaris White, enormous sandwiches, Coopers coffee, award-winning sausages, Strawberry Blond beer.....need we go on? Take your pick of local treats in Holmfirth and the surrounding Holme Valley - crammed with cafés, coffee houses, quirky restaurants, pubs serving real Yorkshire ale and tempting delicatessens.

There's a Farmers Market on the third Sunday every month; and Honley's Mustard and Punch, The Butchers Arms in Hepworth and the Lemmon Tree Trattoria in Honley come highly recommended for evening meals.

Art attack

Get creative at The Potter's Den, a Ceramic Café where people of all ages and abilities can sponge and paint away to their hearts content. North Light Gallery in nearby Armitage Bridge, hosts regular Children's Art Clubs with art materials available in the café too.

Sample the hills

Take a leisurely stroll through Holmfirth and Upperthong to appreciate the beauty of the Holme Valley, and for stunning views of Castle Hill.

Follow in the footsteps of famous watercolour artist Ashley Jackson, find hidden gems in the beautiful landscape around Holmfirth and compare Ashley's interpretation with your own.

Clickety clack

Moorland sheep, fast flowing streams and rivers, weavers' cottages and impressive mills bear testimony to the ongoing tradition of producing some of the world's finest woollen yarns and cloths in Holmfirth. Today, local firms still supply material to some of the top names in the fashion world.

From the centre of Holmfirth narrow alleys of ‘ginnels' climb steeply to weavers' hamlets, their cottages recognisable by long rows of mullioned windows designed to let in the maximum amount of light. Street names such as ‘Rattle Row' evoke the clatter of handlooms. ‘Wuzzing holes' are still visible on Bunkers Hill, where the wet wool was spun (or ‘wuzzed') in baskets suspended from these holes.

The Blue Plaque Trail

Follow Holmfirth's Blue Plaque Trail to explore the oldest building in Holmfirth Th'owd Towser - once a mortuary, ambulance station, fire station, church and gaol (although not all at once); The Nook - one of the village's oldest pubs, and now an award winning micro brewery; and Druids Hall - built for the Ancient Order of Druids Friendly Society in 1846.

Recommended by locals

Imagine Toys is jam-packed full of traditional exciting toys. Daisy Lane Books specialises in second hand books with a great local section. Kayes Ironmongers can supply you with anything from a packet of seeds to a fancy china teapot. Hebe stock a vast range of ultra modern kitchen ware. The Fair Traders Co-operative is a treasure trove of fairly trade and ethical goods from around the world and Holmfirth.

Arts and crafts

Held twice each year that special treat or unique present are waiting to be found at Holmfirth Art Markets where selected artists and designer-makers sell all sorts of amazing artwork.

But, if you can't wait for the next one, hire a classic car and travel round the Holme Valley in style to explore galleries and studios. Booth House Gallery brims with sculpture and ceramics made by Jim Robison; there's a constantly changing display of paintings, ceramics, sculpture and original prints at Lupton Square Gallery. Fascinating artwork is dotted in and amongst quirky reclaimed furniture at the Holme Valley Warehouse, and the North Light Gallery showcases work from both international and local artists in a bright, airy gallery space.