The Shibden Valley is situated east of Halifax which is the main town in Calderdale in West Yorkshire and has not only a great deal of natural beauty but contains many stories from a fascinating historical past.

Historian George Bowers reflects on its industrial legacy – clay and coal mining, stone quarrying and worsted mills relating the horrific working conditions for children and Mike Beecham describes the many transport developments through Stump Cross and the Godley Cutting. 

Ancient houses such as Field House, Simm Carr and Staups House are featured and the intriguing history behind the imposing shell of Scout Hall. The many lives of Shibden Mill Inn are recounted, from medieval corn mill to modern up-market inn, and includes a personal interview with it’s owner.

Halifax historian David Glover gives us a personal tour of Halifax’s ‘Jewel in the Crown’ the impressive, medieval Shibden Hall and we discover all that its wonderful parkland has to offer from dry stone walling to miniature railway, a boating lake to a vast picnic area.

Connected to the lower Shibden Valley is the Walterclough Valley and local author Chris Helme relates the story of Sunny Vale Pleasure Gardens, the ‘Alton Towers of its day,’ which attracted thousands of people to its doors and brings it to life through old photographs. The lower valley provides stunning scenery before the journey ends at Brookfoot and a welcome drink at the Red Rooster Public House.

The Shibden Valley is one of the many valleys in Calderdale, to learn more about the area have a look at “AROUND CALDERDALE” our double DVD.