Spicer Manor is set amongst beautiful scenery, with some fascinating villages and towns on its doorstep.
Less than seven miles away lies the town of Holmfirth. Famous as the backdrop to the long-running TV series ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, Holmfirth is a great destination for a trip out. As well as cobbled streets and locations made famous by the TV show (Sid’s Café and Nora Batty’s steps for example), there are countless cafes and gift shops, intriguing back alleys, a second-hand bookshop and a thriving music venue, the Picturedrome, as well as plenty of restaurants.
There are also practical facilities like supermarkets and banks, a brilliant greengrocer, butchers and a pet shop. So, it’s a great place to while away a few hours. But it really comes to life on several weekends a year when one of the festivals take place.
In May it is the annual Festival of Folk, which sees venues throughout the town vibrating to the sound of local musicians, as well as their more famous counterparts. Many of the gigs are ticketed, but many of them are free and it’s great fun to hop from one pub to another soaking up the atmosphere.
There are workshops for all ages; from Samba to singing, and street performances of everything from drumming to ukulele jamborees, as well as ceilidhs and school concerts.
On the Saturday afternoon there’s the main parade through the town, with Morris dancers lining up behind pipers and clog dancers. The sound and the colour as the parade winds its way through the town to the park on the hillside is something that can only bring a smile to your face. It really is a delight to see.
If folk music isn’t your thing, you might like the arts events that pop up in the town and further afield. There’s the arts festival which runs over a weekend in June and sees exhibitions and installations in the town and on the surrounding hills (usually including an inspiring art walk where you can spot art in the fields and trees), and the art market, which is a charity fundraiser and a chance to admire and buy art by local artists. It usually runs in early July.
In September the good folk of Holmfirth turn their thoughts to food! The Food and Drink Festival is an assault on the senses, with stalls selling everything from sizzling sausages and hot curries to tasty crepes, sticky fudge and local cider. The atmosphere – and smells – are fantastic. It is one festival not to miss.
And there are more. In addition to these events, there is a music festival in October, beer festivals, a film festival and an annual duck race. Add to that the obvious, like the Christmas lights switch on, and you can see why some locals think of it as the festival town.
For more things to do in the area, visit our location place.
