Holiday home with original Georgian features and stunning views
Holiday home with original Georgian features and stunning views over Calderdale in the South Pennines.
Beautiful Grade two Listed Georgian farmhouse (C 1750), set in an elevated position with outstanding views across the Calder Valley.
Located within a convenient distance of the traditional market town of Todmorden (1 mile), and the cultural centre of Hebden Bridge (4 miles).
Ideal as a base for exploring the South Pennines. Family friendly, large house with five bedrooms, suitable accommodation for up to two families or an extended family.
Very flexible. Priced daily so short lets, weekly and longer lets are welcome, with no particular changeover day. Time of arrival and departure is usually set at 4pm/10am, but this can be negotiated if it is not convenient. Has nine bed spaces but has further chairbeds and can sleep up to 13/14
Rodwell Head Farm is ideally located for exploring the attractive South Pennines area. If you are a family who enjoy the great outdoors, then this is the ideal holiday home for you. Step out of the front door and join one the many footpaths and packhorse trails linking ancient farmsteads, wooded cloughs with tumbling waterfalls, open fields and the wild Brontë moorland beyond.
Come back to a crackling log fire and relax in grand but comfortable rooms, with many period features.
Rooms and Facilities
Rodwell Head Farm is located on a country lane, Cross Stone Road, and has on street car parking spaces for several cars. The house has gas central heating and an open fire in the sitting room. There is a gas Aga in the kitchen which is used during spring, autumn and winter months. It is a non-smoking house.
Kitchen
The front door opens onto a large farmhouse dining kitchen, with fitted units, an Aga cooker (Used Sept-April only), electric cooker, microwave oven, fridge and belfast sink. The kitchen has an original stone floor so slippers are advised! The kitchen enjoys views through mullion windows across fields to the farmhouses beyond.
[Access note: The kitchen is at the same level as the road outside. However, the kitchen is on a higher level than the remaining ground floor; there are two steps down from the kitchen to the living room and hallway. The stairs in the house are wide and gently-sloping.]
Bedrooms
Rodwell Head Farm has three double bedrooms (comprising three rooms each with double beds) the other two rooms are smaller, one has bunkbeds, the other has a single bed. A number of chairbeds are available; the smaller rooms can also accommodate a double chairbed or two single chairbeds. The chairbeds are light and can be moved to any room, as is required.There is also a cot. The two larger rooms have views to Stoodley Pike, a local landmark. The three smaller rooms have mullion windows and overlook the fields to the North West.
Sheets, bedding and towels are normally provided.
Living Room
The living room has adjoining double doors from the kitchen. It has two three-seater settees and a rocking chair. There is an open fire place which burns logs and coal (with child guard) and a television with freeview.
Bathrooms/Shower Rooms
There is a shower room/toilet on the ground floor, a bathroom/toilet on the first floor and a separate saniflow toilet on the first floor.
Dining Room
The Dining Room has a dining room table with six chairs and an upright piano.
Utility Room
The utility room has a washing machine and a freezer.
Garden
There is a good-sized walled (enclosed) rear garden that mostly consists of lawn, surrounded by established borders. There is a vegetable patch and herbs in the garden, as well as some fruit bushes. Garden furniture is provided - a large table and chairs but other furniture is available to augment this, if required. There is a swing and a slide for children. There is a catflap in the door leading to the garden.
Surroundings
The house is surrounded by attractive Pennine countryside, comprising hills and steep sided wooded valleys, and canals and rivers in the valley bottoms. The house benefits from outstanding views and footpaths, bridle ways and tracks are accessible from the front door.
Food and Drink
Places for finding food to eat in are given here. For eating out see the things to do page. There are numerous grocers and butchers shops in Todmorden in Hebden Bridge. Todmorden is a market town with an open and indoor market. Staples like fruit, veg, meat and fish can also be purchased from the market.
There are specialist food shops such as Bear Whole Foods in Todmorden and the Pennine Wine and Cheese Company in Hebden Bridge.
Many farmers and people with smallholdings will sell food directly. For example Great House Farm on Cross Stone Road sell free-rage eggs. Other egg providers can be found on the incredible edible website.
A group called Incredible Edible Todmorden have plantations of vegetables and fruit around Todmorden, at the following sites .
Todmorden has the largest supermarket in the locality, a Morrisons on the Rochdale Road. There is a Coop in Hebden Bridge and a Lidl in Todmorden. There is an off-license on the Halifax road in Todmorden. For emergency food supplies, there is a Spar connected with the Petrol station at the foot of Cross Stone Road, on the Halifax road, which is open most of the time. The nearest larger supermarkets (Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's) are in Burnley.
Logs and Coal
Fuel can be bought at a reasonable price at Able fuels. The petrol station at the foot of Cross Stone Road also sells logs and coal, but it is usually more expensive.
Money
There are a number of branches of banks at the centre of Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Todmorden had a Nat West, Halifax, Yorkshire, LLoyds TSB. Hebden Bridge has a Natwest and a Barclays. There are a number of cashpoints near the roundabout in Todmorden. The cashpoints in Hebden Bridge are on the eastern (Halifax) side of the town. The nearest (free) cashpoint to Rodwell Head Farm is located at the Shell garage at the foot of Cross Stone Road.
Things To Do
On this page we have compiled a list of possible things to do and places to go, with relevant web links for more information.
Walking
In the past wool was transported by packhorse along trails linking sheep farms and then later many people lived on the hills surrounding Todmorden and walked to work in the mills in the valley. Hence there is a myriad of footpaths and packhorse trails throughout the countryside surrounding these towns. Todmorden and Hebden Bridge are close to the Pennine Way , The Calderdale Way and the Pennine Bridleway or Mary Towneley Loop paths. There are also lots of paths over the hills and down the dale, through woods and along and across streams.There are many circular walks long and short (eg just one or two miles long) from the Rodwell Head Farm. For more routes see Hebden Bridge Walkers Action .
[ More information on walking around Tormorden and Calderdale ]
Pendle Hill is also just a few miles away.
For those who like short strolls from or those burdened by young children, there are a number of short walks from the house:
1. Ramble Round the Back 2. Pooh Sticks Bridge and Fresh Farm Eggs 3. Walk with views of Stoodley Pike / Calder Valley
Mountainbiking
Route guides include Hebden Bridge Single Track , Hebden Bridge and the Brontë Way and Heptonstall Moor .
Golf
Todmorden Golf Club is just off Cross Stone Road, about one mile from the centre of Todmorden, but only a few minutes from Rodwell Head Farm.
Alternatively, Hebden Bridge Golf Club and Bacup Golf Club are about five miles from Todmorden.
Mountainboarding
Calderdale has the UK’s first dedicated mountainboarding centre .
Horse Riding
Longfield Equestrian Centre is about two miles from Todmorden town Centre.
Alternatively Dickey Steps is about eight miles from Todmorden.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge are close to the Pennine Bridleway/Mary Towneley Loop.
Cricket
Todmorden Cricket Club is next to Centre Vale Park.
Theatre
Todmorden has the Hippodrome Theatre. Alternatively, Hebden Bridge has its Little Theatre. There is the Victoria Theatre and Square Chapel in Halifax. For more choice, Manchester, Leeds and Bradford have the larger range of theatres.
Live Music
The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.
Cinema
Hebden Bridge has its own independent cinema Picture House. For more choice, Halifax, Burnley, Bury, Bradford and Manchester have the larger cinemas.
Museums & Arts
The village of Heptonstall has the tiny Heptonstall Museum. In Halifax there is the Bankfield Museum, Halifax Visitor Centre and Art Gallery and Dean Clough Mill. There is the Smith Art Gallery in Brighouse.
Watching Premier League (etc) Football
The most famous football club in the world - Manchester United - could be reached in about an hour. Closer still, Burnley Football Club is much closer. Other ones within reasonably easy reach are Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City. If you don't support any of these then perhaps your team is playing away?
Watersports
The Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre has courses on Windsurfing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Powerboating, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Kids Clubs, Splashout Holiday Activities, Education, and Team Building. Download the brochure to find out more details and timetables.
Hollingworth Lake is about ten miles from Rodwell Head Farm.
Eating Out in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and beyond
Todmorden Vintners Excellent bistro food in a historic building in the centre of Todmorden
The Vedas Curry restaurant in central Todmorden.
Hanuman Thai restaurant in central Todmorden.
Staff Of Life Inn Homecooked, locally sourced food organic where possible, serving real ales, Timothy Taylors,Moorhouses and constantly changing guest ales, all served a warm friendly enviornment, dogs and muddy boots welcome!!! Now open for Bed & Breakfast .
Grandma Pollards A fish and chip restaurant and take away in Walsden, a mile from Todmorden.
Constermonger Organic/Fairtrade and Local Food in the centre of Todmorden
Bear Cafe Vegetarian cafe in the centre of Todmorden
Shepherd's Rest Traditional pub food, with wonderful views over the Calder valley. Outdoor eating and children's play area.
Moyles Hotel on the Halifax road in the town of Hebden Bridge.
Rim Nam Thai food next to the canal in the centre of Hebden Bridge.
Pack Horse Inn Good home-cooked pub food. Right up on the top of the moors (so great views etc). About four or five miles from Hebden Bridge or Todmorden. Particularly recommend the rack of lamb.
AJ's fish and chips A fish and chip restaurant in the centre of Hebden Bridge.
Il Mulino Italian restaurant; Pizzas and Pastas in the centre of Hebden Bridge.
Kitties Restaurant French restaurant in the centre of Hebden Bridge.
Temujin Restaurant The original Temujin Restaurant, on the canal basin, off Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge. Open both lunchtimes and evenings, Temujin always welcomes families and encourages children to try a range of meats, seafood, vegetables, etc. Unusual in that you pick your own ingredients and sauces and watch the stir fry cooked in front of you. Great for exploring different food and flavours - especially for children.
New China Palace Chinese Take-away and Restaurant in Littleborough.
The Beach It's pub grub, but it's good value and it has a beer garden that overlooks Hollingworth Lake and has a chilrens' play area.
Days Out Sightseeing
If you want to get out and about the following venues are recommended.
Hardcastle Craggs A fairyland ; a wooded y-shaped valley, just four miles away, near Hebden Bridge. It is managed by the National Trust.
Hebden Bridge A small town, just four miles away. It is a cultural centre with a historic town and lots of interesting shops.
Todmorden Local Market Town.
Heptonstall A medieval village with weavers' cottages and a ruined church, just four miles away, near Hebden Bridge and Hardcastle Crags.
Bronte Boats or Stubbing Wharfe Cruises Canal Boat Trips and Hire from Hebden Bridge.
Towneley Hall Former stately home open to the public, just seven miles away. It has a park and a childrens' play park.
Wycoller Wycoller Hall (now a ruin) is thought by some to be the inspiration for Ferndean Manor in the novel Jane Eyre written by Charlotte Brontë. Wycoller is also a medieval village with an ancient bridge and barn.
Gawthorpe Hall Gawthorpe Hall is a former stately home open to the public, just eight miles away. It is managed by the National Trust.
Hollingworth Lake A reservoir which also serves as a local tourist attraction.
Shibden Hall Shibden Hall is a former home of the Lister family, just 12 miles away. There is a children's play park and mini-railway.
Haworth and the Brontë Parsonage Museum Haworth with the Brontë Parsonage Museum is just 14 miles away. The Brontë family also visited the vicarage on Cross Stone Road!.
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway A steam train on the line immortalised by the 1970s file The Railway Children is just 12-15 miles away. Haworth is one of the stations on the line. The station featured in the film is Oakworth station.
Skipton with Skipton Castle A market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, with a medieval castle.
Clitheroe A scenic Lancashire town, with a ruined castle on the hill and the gateway to the Trough of Bowland. Clitheroe is about 20 miles away.
Bolton Abbey A ruined abbey located next to the river Wharfe in the Yorkshire Dales. Bolton Abbey is about 25 miles away.
Eureka The National Childrens' Museum in Halifax about 12 miles away.
Saltaire A well-planned victorian mill and surrounding 'village'. The mill is open with lots to see and a restaurant.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park It's almost an hour to get there by car, but it's a great day out for the kids.
Knowesley Safari Park Park It's over an hour to get there by car. Drive through and see the animals roaming. Give the monkeys a miss, if you value your car!
Several National Parks and areas of interest can be visited for a day trip: The Yorkshire Dales and The Forest of Bowland can be reached in about a one hour (by car). The Lake District, Snowdonia and The Peak District are about one and a half hours away by car.
Events
Refer to the external web pages for Hebden Bridge events , Todmorden events
Shopping
There are many interesting shops in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. Calderdale has a number of markets . For food shopping, there are two good butchers in Todmorden and groceries and fish can be bought from the market.
There is a strong belief in locally-produced food in Todmorden. Incredible Edible Todmorden (IET) also plant raised beds of vegetables and fruit trees around Tomorden - which anyone may take to eat.
For high street shopping, Manchester and Leeds can be got to quickly on the train.
Centre-Vale Park
Centre Vale Park is just off the Burnley Road in Todmorden. The park is beatifully-set; when you are in the park, you feel you are surrounded by trees and hills. The park is about a five minute walk from the centre of town. Otherwise the Burnley bus will have stops near the park. If you are travelling to the park by car, then there are free car parking spaces in the car parks that serve the Todmorden Sports Centre to the north of the park, near Ewood Lane. There are also free car parking spaces in the streets on the other side of the Burnley road, near to the zebra crossing.
The park has circular paths and is great for walking or cycling around. Around the park there are other facilities of interest. There is an extensive childrens' play area on the south side of the park. There are formal walled gardens with a mini-zoo. There is a bicycling circuit for young choildren and a bowling green.
Todmorden Sports Centre
25 metre swimming pool
Comprehensive programme of swimming lessons for children and adults
Premier Suite with spa pool, steam room, sauna and relaxation area
Air-conditioned well-equipped Lifestyles Health & Fitness Studio
Air-conditioned Dance Studio offering a range of aerobic and fitness classes
Sports Hall with facilities for Badminton, five-a-side football, Basketball, Netball and Volleyball
Outdoor Tennis courts and floodlit sports area
Ofsted registered Crèche and themed children's play area
'The Gallery' café offering a selection of quality hot and cold drinks, meals and light snacks.
See also
Aquatic Lessons Programme
Café Opening Times
Children's Birthday Parties
Children's Coaching Programme
Crèche
Fitness Classes Programme
Fitness Studio Programme
Options 50 Programme
Premier Suite Programme
Soft Play Area Suitable for Parents and Toddlers
Swimming Swimming pool Programme
How to find us
Contact details, opening times and disabled access information
Price list