Huddersfield facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Huddersfield
Market town
The railway station and statue of Harold Wilson, the university's Queensgate campus, Kirklees Stadium, St Peter’s church, Folly Hall Mills and the town hall
Huddersfield
Population	141,692 (2021 Census)
OS grid reference	SE 145 165
Metropolitan borough	Kirklees
Metropolitan county	West Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Huddersfield
Postcode district	HD1-5, HD7-8
Dialling code	01484
Police	West Yorkshire
Fire	West Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire
EU Parliament	Yorkshire and the Humber
UK Parliament	Huddersfield Colne Valley
List of places UK England Yorkshire 53°38′42″N 1°46′47″W / 53.6450°N 1.7798°W / 53.6450; -1.7798

Huddersfield is a lively town in West Yorkshire, England. It is the main town and largest place in the Kirklees area. You can find Huddersfield nestled in the hills of the Pennines. Two rivers, the River Holme and the River Colne, meet just south of the town centre. The River Colne then flows into the River Calder.

The rivers here provided soft water, which was perfect for treating textiles. This helped Huddersfield become a very important mill town during the Industrial Revolution. Many buildings in the town centre show off beautiful Victorian architecture. For example, the railway station is a stunning building that has won awards.

Huddersfield is home to the University of Huddersfield and several colleges. It's also famous as the birthplace of rugby league. The town has two professional sports teams: the Huddersfield Giants (rugby league) and Huddersfield Town (football). Famous people from Huddersfield include former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and film star James Mason.

The town's population was 141,692 in 2021. Huddersfield is about 14 miles (23 km) southwest of Leeds and 24 miles (39 km) northeast of Manchester.

History of Huddersfield

Ancient Settlements and Roman Times

People have lived in the Huddersfield area for over 4,000 years. Castle Hill, a well-known landmark, was once an Iron Age hill fort. Remains of a Roman fort were found near Outlane in the 1700s.

What's in a Name?

The name "Huddersfield" first appeared in a book called the Domesday Book in 1086 as Oderesfelt. Later, it was called Hudresfeld. The name simply means "Hud(d)er's field," referring to a person's land.

Market Town and Land Owners

Huddersfield has been a market town since Anglo-Saxon times. The town's land was owned by the de Lacy family for a long time. Then, in 1599, William Ramsden bought it. The Ramsden family owned the land, known as the Ramsden Estate, until 1920. They helped the town grow by building the Huddersfield Cloth Hall in 1766 and the Huddersfield Broad Canal in 1780. They also supported the building of railways in the 1840s.

The Industrial Revolution and Luddites

During the Industrial Revolution, many local weavers faced hard times. New machines in weaving sheds meant they lost their jobs. Some groups, called Luddites, started to destroy these machines. One famous attack was on Rawfolds Mill, owned by a man named Cartwright. The government sent soldiers to Huddersfield to stop the Luddites. Eventually, the government introduced laws to improve working conditions and help those out of work.

Prime Ministers from Huddersfield

Two British Prime Ministers spent part of their childhood in Huddersfield. Harold Wilson was born here and went to Royds Hall School. H. H. Asquith also lived here as a child. A statue of Harold Wilson stands in front of the town's railway station.

The Town That Bought Itself

In 1920, the town council bought the Ramsden Estate for £1.3 million. This meant the town owned much of its own land, earning it the nickname "the town that bought itself."

How Huddersfield is Governed

Huddersfield became a municipal borough in 1868. Later, in 1889, it became a county borough, meaning it managed its own affairs. Today, Huddersfield is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees.

The town has a strong history of supporting the Liberal Party. The current Member of Parliament (MP) for Huddersfield is Harpreet Uppal, who is from the Labour Party.

People in Huddersfield once voted against becoming a city. The council decided not to apply for city status in 2000 or 2002.

Population Changes Over Time

In 1961, Huddersfield's population was 130,652. By 2021, it had grown to 141,692 people.

Huddersfield's Geography

Huddersfield is located where the shallow valleys of the River Colne and the Holme meet. This area is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines, which turn into the moorlands of the South Pennines to the west.

Weather in Huddersfield

Huddersfield has a mild, oceanic climate. This means it's wetter than areas further east but drier than places like Cumbria. Winters are usually cool and damp, with some snow possible on higher ground. Summers are generally warm, with a mix of sunny and rainy days.

Town Areas and Suburbs

Huddersfield is divided into eight electoral wards for the Kirklees Council. These wards cover different parts of the town and its suburbs.

Ward	Population	Area (sq mi (km2))	Population density (per sq mi (km−2))	Places covered
Almondbury	16,610	3.863 (10.01)	4,299 (1,660)	Almondbury, Fenay Bridge, Lascelles Hall, Lepton
Ashbrow	17,470	4.366 (11.31)	4,001 (1,545)	Ashbrow, Brackenhall, Bradley, Deighton, Fixby, Netheroyd Hill, Sheepridge
Crosland Moor & Netherton	17,400	2.856 (7.40)	6,092 (2,352)	Beaumont Park, Crosland Moor, Lockwood, Longroyd Bridge, Netherton, South Crosland, Thornton Lodge
Dalton	17,520	4.975 (12.89)	3,521 (1,359)	Colne Bridge, Dalton, Kirkheaton, Moldgreen, Rawthorpe, Upper Heaton, Waterloo
Golcar	17,370	2.375 (6.15)	7,313 (2,824)	Cowlersley, Golcar, Longwood, Linthwaite (part of), Milnsbridge, Salendine Nook
Greenhead	17,620	1.706 (4.42)	10,328 (3,988)	Birkby, Edgerton, Fartown, Hillhouse, Marsh, Paddock
Lindley	17,020	2.737 (7.09)	6,218 (2,401)	Ainley Top, Birchencliffe, Lindley, Mount, Oakes
Newsome	17,110	3.233 (8.37)	5,292 (2,043)	Armitage Bridge, Berry Brow, Hall Bower, Lowerhouses, Newsome, Primrose Hill, Springwood, Taylor Hill

Huddersfield's Green Belt

Huddersfield is surrounded by a green belt area. This special zone helps stop towns from growing into each other. It also protects the countryside and the unique feel of smaller communities. The green belt encourages outdoor activities like sports and walks.

Some features of the green belt include:

• Castle Hill with Victoria Tower
• Blackmoorfoot reservoir
• Longwood reservoir
• Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the River Colne
• The River Holme
• Storthes Hall
• Kirkheaton cricket ground
• Beaumont Park.

People and Culture

Who Lives in Huddersfield?

In 2021, Huddersfield had a population of 141,692 people. Most residents (66%) were White, 20.4% were Asian, and 5.6% were Black.

Places of Worship

Huddersfield is home to many different religious buildings. You can find churches for various Christian groups, mosques for Muslims, temples for Hindus and Sikhs, and other places of worship for Buddhists, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons.

The town's religious breakdown in 2021 was 39% Christian, 37.4% No Religion, and 20.4% Muslim. There are also smaller Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jewish communities.

Huddersfield's Economy

Local Industries

Huddersfield is a manufacturing town, though the university is its biggest employer. In the past, it was famous for making woollen textiles. This industry, along with chemical and engineering companies, made the town rich in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Today, fewer people work in textiles, but the companies still produce a lot of woollen products. Other important companies include Cummins Turbo Technologies (making turbochargers) and David Brown Gear systems (making industrial gears). Huddersfield is also home to Andrew Jones Pies and Mamas and Papas, which makes prams and baby items.

Healthcare in Town

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary is the main hospital in the town. Kirkwood Hospice provides special care for people with serious illnesses, relying on donations to help. There are also other health services available, including day clinics.

Fun and Entertainment

The Lawrence Batley Theatre opened in 1994 in a former church. It hosts dance, drama, comedy, music, and art shows.

The John Smith's Stadium is a large sports stadium. It has a gym, swimming pool, and spa. This stadium is home to the Huddersfield Giants rugby team and the Huddersfield Town football team. Next to the stadium, there's an Odeon cinema.

Huddersfield has many pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs. The oldest pub, The Parish, has been open since 1720.

Shopping in Huddersfield

Huddersfield has a wide variety of shops in its town centre. There are three main shopping areas: Kingsgate, The Packhorse Precinct, and The Piazza Centre. The Piazza Centre has an outdoor shopping area with a grassy space for relaxing and events. You can also find a covered market hall with a unique roof.

The town centre has many well-known high street stores and smaller, unique shops. Many of these independent shops are in the three-storey Victorian building called Byram Arcade.

Community and Culture

Music Scene

The Huddersfield Choral Society, started in 1836, is one of the UK's top choirs. The town also hosts the annual Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, which features modern music. Other local groups include the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra and the Huddersfield Singers.

Huddersfield has many music festivals throughout the year. These include the Marsden Jazz Festival and the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival, which is one of the oldest in the UK. The town is also known for musicians like Billy Currie from Ultravox and the band Evile.

Art in Huddersfield

The Huddersfield Art Gallery is located on the top floor of the library. It has a large collection of art, including works by famous artists like Francis Bacon and L.S. Lowry. The gallery also features art from local artists.

Ian Berry, an artist from Huddersfield, is known worldwide for creating art using only denim jeans.

Festivals and Events

The Huddersfield Festival of Light happens every December in the town centre. It features performances by theatre companies and ends with fireworks.

Huddersfield also has a long-standing Saint Patrick's Day Parade around March 17th. In mid-July, the Huddersfield Caribbean Carnival fills the streets with colourful costumes, Caribbean food, and music.

The Huddersfield Literature Festival takes place every year, with author talks, writing workshops, and poetry nights. The Onwards Festival celebrates local music, art, food, and drink.

Famous Landmarks and Buildings

Huddersfield is full of beautiful Victorian architecture. The most famous landmark is the Victoria Tower on Castle Hill. This tower was built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Huddersfield Town Hall is a grand building that can seat up to 1,200 people. It hosts many events, from classical concerts to comedy shows.

The Huddersfield railway station in St George's Square is a stunning building. It has been called "one of the best early railway stations in England." A bronze statue of Huddersfield-born Prime Minister Harold Wilson stands outside.

The George Hotel was built in 1850. Its style influenced many other buildings in Huddersfield. This hotel is also famous as the birthplace of Rugby league in August 1895.

St Peter's Church (Huddersfield Parish Church) was built in 1838. Holy Trinity Church was built between 1816 and 1819.

The Pack Horse Centre is a covered shopping area built over an old cobblestone street. It connects different parts of the town centre.

Beaumont Park, about 2 miles (3 km) south of the town centre, is a beautiful Victorian era public park. It has water features, a bandstand, and woodlands.

Greenhead Park, west of the town centre, is a large park with many trees. It was recently restored and is a great place to relax.

Ravensknowle Hall, built in the 1850s, is home to the Tolson (Memorial) Museum. This museum has galleries about natural history, transport, textiles, and the town's past.

Films and TV Shows in Huddersfield

Several films and TV shows have been made in and around Huddersfield. These include the films Between Two Women and The Jealous God.

Many TV series have also filmed here:

• Last Of The Summer Wine: filmed in the nearby Holme Valley and Colne Valley.
• Where the Heart Is: filmed around Slaithwaite.
• Happy Valley: used exteriors and some filming at North Light Film Studios.
• Jericho: filmed at Rockingstone Quarry and North Light Film Studios.

Getting Around Huddersfield

Road Travel

Huddersfield is connected to major motorways like the M1 and M62. The M62 is just north of the town, with three junctions linking to Huddersfield.

The town has an inner ring road that helps manage traffic in the centre. Many roads in the town centre are now for pedestrians only.

Bus Services

Huddersfield has a busy bus station, opened in 1974. Most bus services in the area are run by companies like First Calderdale & Huddersfield and Arriva Yorkshire. There's also a free town centre bus service called the Free Town Bus.

Train Travel

Huddersfield has good train services to local and regional places. You can travel to Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Sheffield. For journeys to London, passengers usually change trains at Leeds or Manchester.

The Penistone Line connects Huddersfield to smaller, rural stations towards Barnsley and Sheffield.

The train station is also famous for its two friendly cats, Felix and Bolt, who have their own merchandise and a book!

Canal Routes

The Huddersfield Broad Canal and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal both run through the town. These canals are used by narrowboats and other boats, offering a peaceful way to explore the area.

Education in Huddersfield

Huddersfield has many primary and secondary schools. For older students, there are two sixth form colleges: Huddersfield New College and Greenhead College. Huddersfield Grammar School is the only independent secondary school.

The town also has Kirklees College for further education. For higher education, there is the University of Huddersfield. The famous actor Patrick Stewart was once the Chancellor of the university.

Sports in Huddersfield

Football and rugby league are the most popular spectator sports in Huddersfield. Both professional teams play at the John Smith's Stadium. In May 2022, both the Huddersfield Giants and Huddersfield Town played in major finals in London, though they both narrowly lost.

Football Teams

Huddersfield Town is the town's professional football team, founded in 1908. They usually play in the Championship, which is the second-highest league in England. In 1926, they were the first English club to win three league titles in a row! They also won the FA Cup in 1921–22.

Famous former players include Denis Law and Ray Wilson, who won the World Cup with England in 1966.

Other local football teams include Emley A.F.C. and Golcar United.

Rugby Teams

Rugby was first played in Huddersfield in 1848. The town is known as the birthplace of rugby league. In 1895, 22 northern clubs met at the George Hotel to create the 'Northern Rugby Football Union', which later became the Rugby Football League.

Rugby League

The Huddersfield Giants rugby league team plays in the Super League, the top division in Europe. They have won the Rugby Football League Championship seven times and the Challenge Cup six times.

The Huddersfield Underbank Rangers also play in the Rugby League Conference.

Rugby Union

The Huddersfield RUFC was formed in 1909. They were pioneers in creating mini and junior rugby teams, a practice now common across the country. Their home ground is Lockwood Park, a large sports complex.

Other Sports

Huddersfield has a strong cricket league, founded in 1891. Many famous cricketers have come from Huddersfield. The town also has several field hockey teams.

In motorsports, Huddersfield has produced champions like James Whitham (Superbike) and Tom Sykes (World Superbike Champion).

In 2014, the Tour de France cycling race passed through Huddersfield.

Freedom of Huddersfield

Many important people and one military regiment have been given the Freedom of Huddersfield. This honour allows a regiment to march through the town with "flags flying, bands playing and bayonets fixed."

The Duke of Wellington's Regiment received this honour in 1952. When this regiment joined with others to form the Yorkshire Regiment in 2006, the new regiment was also granted the Freedom of Kirklees in 2008.

Famous People from Huddersfield

Many well-known people come from Huddersfield or have strong links to the town.

Actors include Joanna Christie, James Mason, Gorden Kaye, and Keith Buckley. The actor Patrick Stewart, a lifelong Huddersfield Town F.C. supporter, was Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield.

Harold Wilson, who was the British Prime Minister four times, was born in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, in 1916. A famous photo shows him as an eight-year-old boy standing on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street.

Other notable people include:

• Simon Armitage, a poet and playwright from Marsden.
• Ian Berry, an artist famous for using denim in his work.
• Andy Booth, a former professional footballer.
• Billy Currie, a musician from the bands Ultravox and Visage.
• Marcus Ellis, an Olympic bronze medalist in badminton.
• Nina Hossain, a journalist and TV presenter.
• Jodie Whittaker, an actress.

Images for kids

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  Statue of Sir Harold Wilson on St George's Square

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  Apartment Block housing in Berry Brow

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  Huddersfield Library & Art Gallery

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  Hudawi Cultural Centre

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  DWR Freedom Scroll

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  Conferring the Freedom of Huddersfield on the Yorkshire Regiment 25 October 2008

See also

In Spanish: Huddersfield para niños