Guidebook reveals hidden beauty

English Heritage and Calderdale Council have worked in partnership to publish a new guidebook dedicated to the Pennine town's rich, but often overlooked, built legacy.

English Heritage Regional Director for Yorkshire and the Humber Trevor Mitchell, said: "Halifax is simply one of England's greatest historic, industrial towns. We all have a tendency to take for granted what is on our doorstep, but we are so impressed by the town's wonderful architecture that we wanted to work with the council to produce an illustrated guide.

''What makes Halifax so amazing is its range of buildings, from the peerless Piece Hall, which has no direct equivalent elsewhere and is arguably Yorkshire's most important secular building, to the majestic civic buildings such as the Town Hall." Halifax's magnificent early buildings include St John the Baptist church, which dates from the 12th century, and the 15th century Shibden Hall.

The guidebook will be sold throughout Calderdale and at the Tourist Information Centre in Piece Hall at a price of 3.99.

Picture: English Heritage.