Attractions - Todmorden Information Centre

Stoodley Pike

The 121 foot (37 m) high Stoodley Pike Monument dominates the skyline above Todmorden, sitting atop Stoodley Pike, a 1,300-foot (400 m) hill The monument was designed in 1854 by local architect James Green, and completed in 1856 at the end of the Crimean War.

The monument replaced an earlier structure, commemorating the defeat of Napoleon and the surrender of Paris. It was completed in 1815, after the Battle of Waterloo, but collapsed in 1854 after decades of weathering and a lightning strike.

You can only reach the Pike on foot, as there is no vehicular or bicycle access to the monument. Stoodley Pike is accessible by well-defined Right of Way footpaths. The Pennine Way also passes Stoodley Pike. There are many walking routes to the Pike from Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd. Walking guides to all these routes available from the Todmorden Information Centre.

Stoodley Pike Monument contains a spiral staircase of 39 steps, accessed from its north side. If you visit, please be aware that several of the internal steps are in darkness, so it’s useful to have a torch to light your way, as there are no windows. The entrance to the balcony is on the Monument’s west face, some 40 feet above ground level. The views are well worth the walk and the climb!

Stoodley Pike

Centre Vale Park

Centre Vale Park has been awarded the coveted Green Flag status and the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Fields status. and is located a short walk (approx 600 metres) from Todmorden town centre along the A646 Burnley Road. The route of The Calderdale Way, a 50 mile walking route which circles the borough, passes by less than a hundred metres from the park.

The park is home to 'The Lucky Dog' of Todmorden, as made famous in Derren Brown's TV show 'The Experiments' and offers visitors the chance to relax in a green, open space and to enjoy the all weather 5-a-side football pitches, bowling greens, children's play area, skate park and cycle way.

Centre Vale Park consists of 33 hectares of mature oak and beech woodland intersected by woodland walks and open parkland. The main body of the park landscape also includes formal memorial gardens. There is a Heritage trail which takes you around 16 points of interest around the park, trail guides are available from the Information Centre.

It is ideal for walking, sports and formal recreation, picnics and family outings. The public toilets are to the east of the park. The channeled River Calder runs along the north-eastern boundary of the park, adjacent to Burnley Road.

The Lucky Dog

Todmorden Town Hall

Magnificent interior of Todmorden Town Hall

Todmorden Town Hall

Todmorden Town Hall straddles the Walsden Water and was situated in both Lancashire and Yorkshire until the county boundary was moved on January 1st 1888. Designed by John Gibson of Westminster, this Grade 1 listed building is home to:
• An impressive ballroom
• Magistrate’s Court, now Todmorden Town Council Chamber
• Grand staircase
• Heritage Centre

Free 'Taster Tours' are available on the first Sunday of the month (except January) and start at 2pm. There is no need to book a tour: you can just turn up on the day. The tour will last approximately an hour.

For those who would like to enjoy a more thorough tour there are also behind the scenes tours of Todmorden Town Hall available. These include access to the secret spaces, including the former Caretaker’s Flat, bathroom in the attic and cellar. Total Tours of Todmorden Town Hall are charged at £6.50 per person and include refreshments.

To book a tour or for more information, please email info@visittodmorden.co.uk or contact us on 01706 818181.

St Mary's Parish Church

There has been a church on this site for over 500 years, and it right at the heart of the town centre of Todmorden overlooking the roundabout at the main roads junction. There is an historic tower at one end, inside is surprisingly modest, fairly light and airy, it has had a relatively recent makeover. There are rafters above, rows of pews, a small organ, and stairs leading to raised stall seating at the tower end.

The church is a Grade 1 listed building built in 1865-69. It stands in an elevated position overlooking the popular market town of Todmorden. It is a beautiful, characterful and much-loved building full of quirky features and secret places, managing to be both grand and imposing, and warm and welcoming at the same time.

Todmorden Unitarian Church is of great historical importance, being one of the very few Unitarian churches built in the UK, and having been built in honour of the philanthropist 'Honest John' Fielden MP, by his three sons. It is now maintained by a dedicated team of local volunteers under the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.

Todmorden Unitarian Church