New trail leaflet reveals the historic heart of Almondbury

A trail leaflet that reveals the historic centre of Almondbury has been produced by the Discover Huddersfield Partnership. The trail, the 16th in the series, follows a route through the heart of the village.

It includes:

  • The medieval All Hallows’ Church
  • 16th century Wormall Hall
  • Weavers’ cottages
  • Almshouses
  • Public buildings
  • Memorials
  • Other key features spanning over 500 years.

Almondbury (or Ambry) originated around 625 BC with an undefended hut settlement on the commanding viewpoint of Castle Hill.  Ancient packhorse trails and later turnpikes brought London buyers via Almondbury to northern England’s sheep-rearing areas.  

Edward 1 granted a market charter to Henry de Lacy in 1294.  By 1475 Almondbury market’s cloth sales ranked fourth out of seventeen in Yorkshire.  

King James’s Grammar School received its royal charter from the King in 1608. The first National School in the area was founded in 1818 in buildings to the west of the church.  It eventually became the infant school.

The trail is available from local information points, including libraries and the railway station. Others produced by the partnership include themes as varied as Public Art, the Ramsden Family, Historic Buildings, World War 1, Caribbean Heritage, Radical History, Music and Real Ale.

A programme of themed walks, including the guided walk around Almondbury in September, is available from information points or by visiting Discover Huddersfield.