Places to visit, events and activities to enjoy

The village of Slaithwaite has a lively centre, offering a variety of places to eat, drink and shop. There are lovely walks along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and for the more energetic walkers, there are plenty of hills to climb, with a welcoming pub serving food to reach.

Colne Valley Festivals
The Moonraking Festival is a bi-annual event taking place in February. The festival coincides with a full moon and has become a tradition for all the generations to get involved with. You can join lantern workshops and a parade around the village. A number of bands play through the streets, keeping the tradition of music alive. A ceilidh is held at the end of the evening. The businesses participate in the event through sponsorship and creating window lanterns for shop windows, there is a lovely “feel good” factor during this week of activities.

The neighbouring village of Marsden also has events such as The Imbolc Fire Festival, The Marsden Cuckoo Festival and Marsden Jazz Festival.

History in the Colne Valley
Nestled at the top of a quaint cobbled street in the village of Golcar is the Colne Valley Museum which celebrates the history and evolution of the textile industry in the valley. It focusses on the everyday lives of the people living and working in the mills and the farmers and workers supplying the wool. Other places to visit in the valley are the 5000 acres of criss-crossing walks, streams and moorland at the National Trust’s Marsden Moor Estate and Standedge Tunnel Visitors Centre boasting Britain's longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel with a visitor centre that reveals the history of its construction and usage.

Musical traditions in the Valley
Music is celebrated in the Colne Valley in many ways, we have Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra, Slaithwaite Band & The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir. The composer Haydn Wood was born in the village, look out for the blue plaque recognising his contribution to the valley. He composed Roses of Picardy amongst other songs.

Events in the Colne Valley

Slaithwaite Horticultural & Allotment Society Annual Show

If you happen to be visiting the village in the first weekend in September come along and see the amazing produce grown in the valley.
There is always healthy competition for all the classes offered in this inclusive gathering. It is one of the oldest societies in the country and deserves to be supported for the advice available to new gardeners and growers alike. Watch out for cabbages they are kings in their own right !
Go to their Facebook page for more information
Moonraking Festival

Known as the odd festival in the odd year, this celebration has been growing steadily over the thirty years since it was established.
There are lantern making workshops running during the week prior to the Saturday evening when these marvellous structures are paraded through the village.
It's an enjoyable family event for all generations who attend.
Marsden Imbolc Fire Festival

This is held on the first Saturday in February and has been in existence for over twenty years. It features performers and participants who carry fire lanterns around the village of Marsden.
It celebrates the dying down of Winter and the emergence of Spring. The event culminates in a battle between Jack Frost and The Green Man.