West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire is a ceremonial county in the north of England, made up of five metropolitan districts: Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield. Leeds serves as the main city of this region, which stretches across valleys and hills between the Pennines to the west and flatter land to the east.

The county was created in 1974 through an act of Parliament that brought together parts of the former West Riding of Yorkshire into a new administrative unit. This reorganization reflected the dense settlement and industrial importance of the area, shaped by textile production throughout the 19th century.

Markets across the towns sell locally made goods reflecting traditions from the industrial past, while festivals celebrate the heritage of textile work and craftsmanship. Residents gather in converted mill buildings that now serve as community centers, galleries and cafés where local food and music events bring neighborhoods together.

Buses and trains connect the larger towns and make it possible to travel between valleys and hill ranges throughout the area. Many walking and cycling routes cross the region, passing through former industrial zones and open countryside in the rural outskirts.

Several canals cross the valleys and once carried coal and textiles, but now their towpaths are used for walks and cycling. In some villages, old machinery from the industrial era still stands and can be seen in small workshop museums open to visitors.

Location: Yorkshire and the Humber

Inception: April 1, 1974

Shares border with: Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire

Website: https://westyorks-ca.gov.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.75000,-1.66667

Latest update: December 3, 2025 09:10