Holmfirth brings together early cinema history, British television history and preserved architectural heritage with opportunities to enjoy wine and walking. For planning your visit, several different highlights may interest you: a cinema that opened in 1913, a trail through the town’s history, and tours featuring local wines.
Cinema, Television and Culture
The Picturedrome was Holmfirth’s first purpose-built cinema and opened on 1 March 1913. Today, it continues to operate as a cinema, serves as a live music venue and houses Holmfirth’s big screen. Live shows are held there occasionally. This building brings together an early chapter in the town’s cinema history and several present-day cultural offerings. If you are interested in cinema history, it also offers a tangible link to today’s cultural events.
Holmfirth’s connection to television is also tangible: the British sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine” was filmed here. Sid’s Café is a visitor stop associated with the series. If you would like to include this connection in your visit to the town, check the café’s current opening arrangements separately before planning a stop.
The Holmfirth Festival of Folk has been held in Holmfirth for more than 40 years; 2026 will be its 48th edition. The Art Market brings artists from across Yorkshire to Holmfirth. The festival highlights its long tradition, while the Art Market showcases the artists’ regional origins—two distinct cultural highlights to consider when planning your trip.
Local History and Architecture
A Heritage Trail passes through the centre of Holmfirth and explores the town’s history. Holmfirth’s preserved architectural heritage includes Georgian buildings, distinctive under-and-over dwellings, and weavers’ cottages with rows of tall sash windows. The windows recall the former wool textile industry. You can explore the town’s history both along the trail and through its preserved architectural styles; the connection to its textile past is particularly tangible in the windows described here.
Wine Tours and Walking Trails
The Holmfirth Vineyard visitor tour includes a guided tasting of three Yorkshire wines. The tours also include a walk among the vines and a guided tour of the winery, where the winemaking process is explained. Seasonal conditions may affect the outdoor walk. As booking details can change, check them before planning your visit.
Another way to spend time outdoors is the Wolfstones, Meltham and Upperthong Circular Walk. The 8.17-mile route starts at Holmfirth Library. The Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre provides local tourist information and information about walking trails. Also check the library’s current arrangements before your trip.
The different focuses can help you choose between exploring local history and going for a walk: the Heritage Trail passes through the centre, while the Circular Walk, with its stated distance, starts at Holmfirth Library. Wine tours, cinema history and architecture add further themes to these routes, which you can prioritise according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: Dewsbury, Scissett, Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Batley
Return to the main travel overview: Kirklees.
