Halifax Borough Market, a Grade II*-listed Victorian gem first opened in 1896, offers visitors a genuine step back in time. The market recently underwent a £4.5 million restoration funded by the Government's Future High Streets Fund, which included reglazing the glass roof, repainting the ceiling and ornate ironwork, and restoring the central clock tower.
Upon entering, shoppers are greeted by a bright, spacious hall filled with nostalgic stalls. Mister Dee's Verandah Coffee Shop, with its net curtains, contrasts with modern coffee chains, while the Tobacconist now sells vapes alongside traditional products. Other stalls include a fruit and vegetable stand, a haberdashery, a florist, and Carters, a vintage-style lingerie stall displaying hosiery on mannequin legs.
Above the market lie two hidden residential streets, known as 'Streets in the Sky'. These rooftop terraces once housed market traders, though most now stand empty. Guided tours, previously offered by Visit Calderdale, were paused due to renovation work.
Halifax itself is easily accessible by train, with the journey through West Yorkshire countryside particularly scenic in winter. The town also boasts the magnificent Piece Hall, a Grade-I listed Georgian building from 1779, which houses shops, cafes, and hosts Christmas markets and summer concerts.
