Halifax, Market town in West Yorkshire, England
Halifax is a market town in West Yorkshire, England, sitting within the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale and crossed by the River Calder. The town spreads across gentle slopes and valleys surrounded by the Pennine hills, with the center marked by stone buildings from different centuries.
The settlement emerged in medieval times and grew through textile production, particularly wool processing, which shaped the townscape into the 19th century. During the Industrial Revolution, mills and canals developed along the river, and the town experienced a period of rapid building expansion.
People in town often gather to shop under the historic market hall, where local traders offer fresh goods from the surrounding region. The name comes from the Old English term for a settlement near a flat piece of land between hills, reflecting its location in the Pennine valley.
The town center can be explored on foot, though steep streets in some areas may require a bit of effort. Several car parks sit around the edge of the center, from where you can walk easily into the pedestrian zone.
In several places around the center, narrow lanes climb steeply uphill and then suddenly open onto wide views over the valley. Some buildings still carry old signs from clothiers and weavers, reminding visitors of the industrial past.
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