The
thriving market town of Todmorden is situated in the
Calderdale region of West Yorkshire next to the border
with Lancashire. In fact, the old border used to run
right through the town centre. The statues on the Town
Hall depict the cotton trade of Lancashire on the left
and the woollen trade of Yorkshire on the right. This
is why Todmorden, although officially in West Yorkshire,
has a Lancashire postal address.
In
the present post-industrial climate the town has plenty
to offer to residents and visitors alike in terms of
quality of lifestyle, heritage, urban regeneration and
a splendid landscape offering many outdoor recreational
opportunities.
Location
maps:
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Nearest
main cities:
Manchester and Leeds are less than an hour by rail (2
trains per hour in each direction).
Visitor
Information Centre: Tel 01706 818181
Market Hall: Monday to Saturday 9.00am-5.30pm (early
closing Tues 1.00pm)
Outdoor Market: Wed, Fri, Sat. Flea Market on
Thursdays. Mixture of various stalls on Sundays.
Development profile of Todmorden:
Pre-industrial
Isolated hilltop agricultural settlements, packhorse
routes marked by ancient and mystical stones of which
many still survive.
Textile Industry
Originally produced wool or worsted but turned to cotton
due to close proximity to Manchester. The Fielden family
"dynasty" changed the town forever by establishing
several large mills and impressive houses and chapels.
Transport
The Rochdale Canal (1804) and Manchester-Leeds Railway
(1841) - incorporating the (then) longest tunnel in
the world - were crucial factors in promoting industrial
growth.
Most famous landmark
Stoodley Pike Monument (1815) built to commemorate Napoleonic
War. Rebuilt in present massive form in 1854. Dominates
the entire area and has come to be adopted as a regional
symbol as well as for Todmorden.
Social development
Strong non-conformist, co-operative and self-help movements
typical of the independent spirit of Todmordians, which
is alive and well to this day with dozens of thriving
clubs, societies, sporting and cultural organisations
and a disproportionally large number of small businesses.
Regeneration
The
canal is fully restored after many years and millions
of financial input. 
Walkers,
cyclists and riders are attracted in growing numbers
by the rugged splendour of the surrounding hills and
valleys. Currently
many new housing developments and refurbishment/re-use
of industrial buildings for residential purposes. Regeneration
projects include the market, railway station, sports
centre and canal wharf.
Todmorden was the first rural telephone exchange in
Britain to be broadband-enabled due to public demand.
Much of the area has been declared a sight of special
scientific interest (SSSI). The population of the town
now stands at around 12,000 with many incomers attracted
by everything that the area has to offer.
