Halifax Minster and Town

Sunday 06 July
Depart: Parkinson Steps: 12.00
Arrive: Parkinson Steps: 19.00
Price: £44.50

The town of Halifax lies in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. In the 15^th century, the town rose to prominence as an economic hub in West Yorkshire, predominantly in woollen manufacture. According to legend, the head of John the Baptist was buried here and, although this is almost certainly not the case, the town’s coat of arms carries the image of the saint.

Halifax Minster, also dedicated to John the Baptist, was only granted minster status in 2009. The current church was built during the 15^th century on the site of an earlier Norman church, which was owned an operated by the Cluniac monks of Lewes Priory. Some of the stonework from this earlier church has been incorporated into the present building. During the 15^th century, the church was substantially enlarged to offer further accommodation for a growing parish sustained by the ever-expanding textile industry. Highlights of the building include the medieval font cover, thought to be one of the finest in England, carved 15^th-century misericords, and a medieval headstone from the 12^th century depicting clipping shears, revealing the historic importance of the wool trade in the area.

After the visit to the minster, the excursion will include a tour of some of the other historic buildings in Halifax, including the Piece Hall, which has stood since 1779 and is the oldest remaining Georgian cloth hall in the world. Recently restored, the large open-air courtyard is surrounded by independent shops and cafés. The tour will also visit the site of Halifax’s notorious gibbet, an early form of the guillotine that was last used in 1650. Participants will also have free time to explore the city.

This tour will be guided by David Cant of the Yorkshire Vernacular Building Study Group.