Tourism in the Holme Valley

Familiar TV locations, beautiful scenery, and historic attractions make the Holme Valley a great place to visit.

Holmfirth, the largest market town in the Holme Valley, is perhaps most famous as the home of Compo, Clegg and Foggy in the TV series Last of the Summer Wine, but offers visitors so much more.  Known locally as ‘Little Hollywood’, following the production of early films by the Bamforth family (also famous for their Saucy seaside postcards!) Holmfirth and the surrounding area has a thriving artistic community.  The valley boasts many delightful gift shops and craft galleries for you to browse at leisure, including that of the celebrated landscape painter Ashley Jackson. Why not coincide your visit with Holmfirth Folk Festival every May or Holmfirth Art Week annually in July.

Filming for 'Last of the Summer Wine' takes place over a wide area. In Holmfirth itself, fans of the series can visit the locations of Sid's Café and Nora Batty's steps for a truly authentic experience, or take a Summer Wine tour to explore further. Enjoy the Summer Wine Exhibition, or take tea at the Wrinkled Stocking Tea Room.   Keen-eyed viewers may also recognise scenes from the popular TV series “Where the Heart Is”, which is partly filmed in the Holme Valley.

The valley is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the South Pennines and the Peak District National Park, and is traversed by the Pennine Cycleway, making it an ideal area for walking, cycling, touring and exploring. Popular walks in the area include the Holme Valley Riverside Walk (6 miles), Holme Valley Circular Walk (24 miles) or part of the Kirklees Way (72 miles in total). Take a picnic and enjoy one of the local reservoirs at Ramsden and Digley or enjoy the stunning views from Holme Moss.

With a wide range of accommodation from campsites, to homely bed and breakfast and cosy self-catering cottages, enjoy a relaxing break with a warm welcome.

History and Heritage

Like much of West Yorkshire, the development of the Holme Valley was linked to textiles. Moorland sheep, fast flowing streams and rivers, weavers’ cottages and impressive mills bear testimony to the tradition of producing some of the world’s finest woollen yarns and cloths. Today, local firms still supply material to some of the top names in the fashion world.

From the centre of Holmfirth narrow alleys or ‘ginnels’ climb steeply to weavers’ hamlets, their cottages recognisable by long rows of mullioned windows designed to let in maximum 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.

Wonder around the nearby village of Honley. Stroll around the charming old centre close to the church, where some streets atre still ‘settes’ or cobbled and cottages are clustered  around courtyards known locally as ‘folds’.

Did you know…?

It is likely that the very first portrayal of the story of the Titanic was made in Holmfirth! ‘The Loss of the Titanic’ was shown many decades ago as a dramatic slide show by the former Holmfirth firm, Bamforth & Co. Ltd.

Famous faces include Roy Castle who was born and raised in the Holme Valley 

Last of the Summer Wine is the UK's longest running drama series, now in its 33rd year! The first episode was broadcast at 8pm on Thursday, January 4, 1973.

Over the years the Bamforths only ever employed four artists for the thousands of cheeky sea-side postcards they produced. They wanted to make sure their distinctive style with its bright colours and exaggerated characters was maintained.

Events in and around the Holme Valley

For precise dates and details please contact the Tourist Information Centre.

Getting Around

The Holme Valley is serviced by excellent public transport and road network. 

Rail: The scenic Penistone railway line has stations at Honley and Brockholes, where you can join a guided walk with the Penistone Line Partnership. Call 01226 370338 for walk details. There is also a mainline station in Huddersfield town centre. Call 08457 484950 or www.nationalrail.co.uk for timetable and ticket information.

Bus: Regular bus services run daily to Holme and Holmbridge for access to the reservoirs and moors of the Upper Holme Valley.  Further details are available from Metro on 0113 245 7676 or www.wymetro.com

A joint bus and train timetable is available from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre

Car: There is a number of pay and display car parks around the Holme Valley, and in Holmfirth.  To search for parking in the area click here.

NOTE: All photos kindly supplied by, and © Kirklees Metropolitan Council