The Bird I'th Cottage

There are plenty of activities on hand. Straight from the door you are in the Pennine hills, ideal for walking or mountain biking. Just 5 minutes walk to the local trout fishery and only 10 minutes drive away is Hollingworth Lake Country Park where you can find activities including windsurfing, sailing, rowing, mountain biking, climbing, guided walks, plus picnic and play areas. It is an easy drive over the hills to Hebden Bridge and the Yorkshire Dales, or south to the beautiful Peak District National Park.
The vibrant cities of Manchester and Leeds are less than 40 minutes drive away, but if you would prefer to leave the car behind Walsden railway station, just 1.5 miles away has transport links to both. Direct Trains to Manchester city centre take 20 minutes This outstanding property is in a superb location and lends itself to a memorable holiday at all times of the year.


Todmorden is a Yorkshire working market town . There's lots going on with its market, art and crafts shops, Incredible Edible Todmorden - famed worldwide for promoting community growing and sharing of produce - and it is set in the wonderful Pennine hills on the border between Yorkshire and Lancashire. The opportunities for hill walking are endless and our house is right on the edge of open country. Both the Calderdale Way and the famous Pennine Way pass very near to us. Calderdale is also interesting for the network of canals, rivers, railway and roads that run through it - it's a lovely walk along the canal to Hebden Bridge. There are several pleasant cafes where you can enjoy a coffee and lovely vegetarian food.
Hebden Bridge - another picturesque town with delightful shops and cafes is only few miles down the valley and there’s a regular bus and train services there.

Todmorden is a vibrant and thriving market town in the Calderdale Valley, West Yorkshire. There's many independent shops and cafe's. Todmorden's industrial history is still very much apparent not just in terms of architecture but also with the busy canal and railway network.

In terms of things to do once you're here, there are many fantastic walks, cycle routes and horse rides around the town, depending on length, time available and experience, these could range from a walk to the impressive and ever present Stoodley Pike, built to commemorate the end of the Napoleonic Wars, or a gentle stroll on the canal towpath taking in the award winning Fielden Wharf. Also, the Calderdale Way, Pennine Way and Mary Towneley Loop pass through or very close to Todmorden. There is also a self-guided walk around the town centre, which takes in the stunning architecture, the Town Trail, which can be bought online as can maps, books and leaflets for all kinds of outdoor activities. The gritstone outcrops also provide an opportunity for bouldering.

Todmorden Town Hall, hosts visits and on the first Sunday of every month there is a free tour of the Grade 1 listed building. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour with one of the fully trained volunteer guides and visit the Heritage Centre, ballroom, Mayor's Parlour and Council Chamber. The building is a fine example of Neo-Classical architecture and the carved stonework of the external pediment represents the town's links to both Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Also worth a visit is Centre Vale Park, which is newly re-open after recent environmental works. With its backdrop of Buckley Wood, it is a scenic delight and provides bowling greens, a sculpture trail, children’s play-area, a skateboard park, a unique bandstand, a tranquil memorial garden as well as a reptile house and aviary.

The Hippodrome Theatre puts on various musicals, plays and shows throughout the year. The town also has its Toy and Model Museum and a well-stocked library. Annual events include a carnival, agricultural show, beer festival

Todmorden is friendly Pennine town, not as trendy as nearby Hebden Bridge but with an industrial heritage evidenced in the canal and local buildings.   Shops, pubs and local restaurants are plentiful and good value. There’s a market most days of the week and two supermarkets (Morrison’s and Lidl).  Tod has great NHS facilities, a leisure centre, a theatre and Incredible Edible, a group which grows fruit and vegetables around the town for anyone to pick.


Walking locally is superb.  You can go the length of the canal to Manchester or up along the tops. Favourite walks include Todmorden beach – a patch of sand on one of the reservoirs that’s popular in summer.  You can see Stoodley Pike from the house, part of the Pennine way which runs up to the right of the house. There’s also National Trust heritage site Hardcastle Crags at Hebden Bridge. 


INCREDIBLE EDIBLE

Todmorden is the home of the original Incredible Edible project, an urban gardening project started in 2008. Vegetables, herbs and fruit are now grown, by volunteers, all around the town, for anyone to pick and use. All of the Incredible Edible growing sites, are within a short, walking distance of our house.

The town of Todmorden, home to Incredible Edible, the Lucky Dog and was also recently featured in BBC 1's Countryfile,. Todmorden offers a thriving indoor and outdoor market, shops, pubs and cafes. Enjoy walks from the doorstep across the Bronte's beloved Moors, visit the village of Heptonstall with its two historic pubs, or explore the home of the Bronte sisters in nearby Haworth. There are many fantastic walks, cycle routes and horse rides close to this Todmorden cottage, from a walk to the impressive Stoodley Pike, built to commemorate the end of the Napoleonic Wars, or a gentle amble to Orchan Rocks, Whirlaw Rocks, Bride Stones, Britain's highest beach Gaddings Dam or along the canal towpath to the town of Hebden Bridge which is five miles away and boasts interesting nightlife, curiosity shops, and the old cinema where they serve tea and scones at the interval!
Additionally, the Calderdale Way, Pennine Way and Mary Towneley Loop pass through or are very close to Todmorden.