Holmfirth

[Motherland88]

Hi all, we are still searching for a place to move to, and hoping for some views on Holmfirth. The scenery looks stunning, the schools seem fab and house availability/prices seem decent. Does anyone live there or know what the area is like for families? Is the secondary school good? We live in the south so would be totally new to the area and not know anyone. Thanks!

Anyone 🤞

It’s a popular town for families and the schools are considered good. The students move onto Greenhead college normally, which is excellent. Would you be working from home? People commute to Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds from there. The train from Wakefield to London isn’t bad, either. The roads in and out can get congested but overall it’s considered a desirable area.

It’s quite nice but a bit out of the way.
Maybe have a look at Marsden or Slaithwaite too, easier access to Manchester if required.

And yes, Greenhead college is excellent for 6th form

Thanks winner and hopping, my husband and I will be working 3 Sat's from home and 2 days more field based around West Yorkshire so not to concerned about a daily commute. So do you think the house prices are reasonable compared to places like ilkley and clitheroe (other places we considered) because its a bit out of the way? We are going to go up and visit but I guess I'm just trying to get a sense of what the other negatives are to the area which I might miss, like friendliness to newcomers, or antisocial behaviour etc. We are looking for a nice, friendly community which doesn't have an above average problem with drugs etc. That's interesting about the 6th firm as well.

Hopping, I liked the look of marsden but the secondary school (on paper) didn't look great which is a shame as location-wise it looks fab.

Holmfirth is lovely. There is also Holmfirth Vineyard which is so worth visiting.

Agree about Greenhead College in Huddersfield. It is one of the best 6th form colleges in the country, and students leave private education in Wakefield in droves to go to there.

Have you looked at Lindley?
Depending on exactly where you are in Lindley you have access to 2 good Primary schools and a couple of good Secondaries. Good motorway access too
Holmfirth is quite rural and there is a large farming community so I think it can be a bit insular (although to be fair a lot of people do commute from there and there is quite an arty scene too). I think any anti social behaviour is largely down to teenage boredom rather than anything else.
There is an excellent Private school in Huddersfield as well if that’s an option
Ilkley is lovely but of course the house prices reflect that.

Thanks Hopping, I haven't looked at Lindley thanks for the suggestion. I think we are hoping to be on the edge of the dales or the peaks (or another AONB for the access to lovely walks and scenery. I much prefer views and rolling hills so tend to get drawn to those places.

Nobody has mentioned the weather in Holmfirth....(in the winter especially) it's grim (I live locally).

@tanguero

Nobody has mentioned the weather in Holmfirth....(in the winter especially) it's grim (I live locally).

Yep. I'm less than 15 miles away and can concur that the weather isn't that great, but when it is the area is stunning.

My brother used to live in Netherthong, which is a little village very close to Holmfirth. Very pretty, not too expensive, decent primary school. He loved living there.

Thanks for your comments, wow those pics are stunning rampantivy! That's exactly what draws us to the area. I'm winter then is the weather bad like just cold bad or something else? I don't mind the cold and snow to be honest.

Does anyone have first hand knowledge of the secondary school by any chance? Also are there many incomers to the area? Thanks so much.

Our friends moved to Holmfirth from London several years ago. He is from Huddersfield originally but hadn't lived there for about 20 years. They found it such a welcoming place and have a very good bunch of friends they have made whilst living there, several of whom I have met when I have been to visit. Their eldest is now at the Holmfirth secondary school (no idea what it's called) but my friend has mentioned that she is really impressed at it and that her DS is super happy there. For them it was the perfect move. I don't think the weather is any worse than the other places you mentioned- also I have seen some stunning photos our friends have taken of the scenery in all weathers, they have dogs and aren't afraid to get out walking whatever the weather!

I live about ten miles from there. My stepson went to Holmfirth High school and then Greenhead for A levels. He did really well at both.

My in laws live in Lindley. It just feels like a town/suburb to me. Not half as nice as Holmfirth. (Sorry!)

Where are you moving from? It's a lovely place and we visit regularly, but I couldn't live there as I live close to Manchester City centre and I love being able to get there so quickly. If you're used to being rural then I am sure you will enjoy it. We actually travel to the butchers there in hades edge and have done for 15 years, it's worth a visit.

The pictures are of Sheveling Vineyard, taken last October @Motherland88

Have a look at Honley, which is close by, and quite nice. Or Saddleworth on the Manchester side - similar countryside..

Clitheroe is expensive for what you get IMO, and isn't close to W Yorkshire in terms of driving time, it's closer to N Yorks. If you have to get over to south of Leeds for work it would be a real pain in the neck.

Ilkley is a pretty civilised place, very cultural, close to Leeds and has a direct train service there.

Holmfirth is in gorgeous scenery.

Thanks all, such useful information. We come from a pretty rural part of the South so being an hr away from anywhere big is fine for us. We are very outdoorsy people and want to get a dog and do lots of walking. Excited to go up and see the area now!

Holmfirth is gorgeous. Great village with lots of bars, cafes, art scene, picturedrome!
Great walks... as you can see

My mum and her new DH moved to Holmfirth as a mid ground between Sheffield and Manchester. It's so beautiful and people are extremely welcoming and friendly. I can't believe this is a thread on Holmfirth and nobody has pointed you to watching last of the summer wine. Which was filmed in Holmfirth ☺️
The only con I can think of is the snow and how cold is can get. It's very rural so you can get snowed in sometimes. Especially on all the very narrow back roads.

Kat those pics are stunning! I'm so excited to visit. And rosie to hear its friendly as well is so important to us. Are there any more negatives or positives anyone knows of that we might not pick up from a visit? What do teenagers do? Do they head for huddersfield? Thanks

I’d imagine so. Huddersfield is quite a nice university town nowadays so plenty to do.

@Honeyroar

I’d imagine so. Huddersfield is quite a nice university town nowadays so plenty to do.

I live here and do like it but the town itself is unfortunately not “nice” Years ago I lived in Halifax and we came here to shop. Now I do it the other way around,. There are some very good restaurants, including the only Burmese restaurant in Yorkshire but the town itself isn’t great. I suppose there are plenty of places to drink but it’s a bit ropey in the evenings

I like the sound of the Burmese restaurant @Hoppinggreen. I can get to Huddersfield easily. Off to google.