Focus on our town’s historic buildings

acres of gardens, 10 bedrooms and was built by noted architect Edgar J Wood in 1902.

The town’s railway station, not surprisingly, is Grade I listed. The foundation stone was laid by Josh Fitzwilliam, the Lord Lieutenant, on October 9, 1846, when a public holiday was declared and church bells rang from dawn till dusk – although it wasn’t completed until October 1850.

The frontage was once described by John Betjeman as “the most splendid in England.”

Another Church of All Hallows, this one in Kirkburton, enjoys its Grade I status. Its history goes back to the early 1200s, with most of the structure dating from the 13th century. Inside there is a late-medieval nave ceiling and a small window in the chancel may once have opened from the cell of a hermit.

Woodsome Hall, on Woodsome Road at Fenay Bridge, has also been given the highest listing which states that it is an “extremely fine hall house... built in stages for four generations of the Kaye family between the early 16th and mid 17th century.

The first recorded dweller at Woodsome is thought to be Gilbert de Notton in 1236. The Tyas family lived there until 1370.

Over in Emley, the Church of St Michael the Archangel, which dates from the 14th century, is Grade I listed.

And a little further afield there are Lees Hall at Thornhill Lees; Oakwell Hall, Birstall; All Saints, Batley; St Michael and All Angels, Thornhill and All Saints, Batley.

Chris Marsden, chairman of Huddersfield Civic Society, says Huddersfield has many splendid listed buildings. His own favourites are: Grade II* listed Folly Hall Mill. Grade II listed Queensgate Market Grade II listed Bath House (Amenity Block), formerly of Thomas Broadbent and Sons Grade I listed Banney Royd Grade I listed Huddersfield Railway Station.