Finding hidden treasures

Hello and welcome to 'Joyful June' or maybe that should 'Jubilee June' as it's the long Bank Holiday weekend as I write this.  I've been on holiday from work this week, enjoying some well earned downtime, so decided to make the most of my 'staycation' by exploring the places on my doorstep.  

Me and Mr Bob thought we'd have some fun by visiting places that are not always high on people's wish list.  Don't get me wrong, we love the well known touristy places such as York but let's be honest, it doesn't really have to work hard for visitors.  Places like York can simply chill out, kick back and wait for the tourists to come flocking week in, week out. 

Nope, we wanted to visit the more hardcore, gritty northern towns on our doorstep that get overlooked and that most people pull a face at when you mention them.

First on our hit list was Halifax.  Some time ago we'd been watching the Antiques Roadshow and they were at the Piece Hall, Halifax.  Wow, this place dates back to 1779 and was originally built as a 'Cloth Hall', doing exactly as it says on the tin ... trading pieces of cloth.  It's a mighty impressive Georgian building which is now home to independent shops and cafes and its huge square is used for concerts and other events.  Halifax itself is an eclectic mix of old and new buildings and different cultures surrounded by some fabulous countryside.

Next up was Wakefield.  Despite the fact it's only 10 mins up the motorway, we hadn't been into the town centre for years.  It's not somewhere that immediately springs to mind for places to visit.  I've always loved the fact it has a delightful little cathedral right in the centre of town, but it's now also home to the Hepworth art gallery, has undergone some serious renovation and has more independent coffee houses than you can shake a stick at, which for a couple of coffee lovers is heaven.

Later that same afternoon, I went for a run along the Trans Pennine Trail to Worsbrough Mill, a traditional working flour mill and country park, surrounded by beautiful trails and woodlands.  Yet another place that I hadn't been to for ages and amazingly for round here, a fairly flat out and back route!

Ok, so this next place might be a bit more well known thanks to a certain TV series ... Holmfirth!  Only 20 mins down the road and a very scenic drive to boot.  I love the little independent gift shops and cafes and the place is always buzzing no matter when you go.  We didn't go on this particular occasion but I can also highly recommend a visit to Holmfirth Vineyard.  No, it's not a windup, there is an actual vineyard in Holmfirth which produces some excellent wines.

In addition to the places above, we've visited local garden centres, farm shops, restaurants and coffee shops and I suppose the point of this blog is, don't overlook what's on your doorstep.  Even if at first, it's somewhere that doesn't seem quite appealing, believe me there are treasures to be found.  

We're very quick at judging everything these days, from people to possessions to places.  If something isn't 'on trend' then we immediately dismiss it, but don't be a sheep ... wander from the flock once in a while, lean in and look a bit more closely and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.  It's all too easy to focus on the grime, the boarded up shops and the gangs of idiots shouting at the top of their voices.  Underneath the surface of these gritty little towns is a rich local history and diverse cultures all coming together to give the places their uniqueness.

Do yourself a favour the next time you're having a 'staycation', forget about the usual tourist spots, get off the beaten track and discover what's on your doorstep.  Take the time to look at the buildings, eat in local restaurants, chat to the people you come across and, most of all, have some fun.  Take a break from the constant stimulation of your 24/7 lifestyle, sloooow down and look around you.

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