Our guide to Holmfirth
11th April 2021
Favourite takeaway?
Lou and Joe’s burger joint, no doubt. We returned at least once a week. The “motherclukka” burger and the Vietnamese fries were our favourite order. On top of how delicious it is, it was also a 3 minute walk from the cottage, dangerously convenient.
I also enjoyed Mezze, a local Greek/Turkish tapas bar, the aubergine, chickpea and goat’s cheese dish was beautiful! Alex on the other hand really enjoyed the burrito from Mexicali!
For fish and chips, we visited two places: Catch and Compo’s. Both were really good; the only downsides we had were the sheer quantity we got from Compo’s sort of made us feel horrendously full afterwards, while Catch was the perfect amount of food but we felt that the chips weren’t salt and vinegar’d enough. Would happily return to either though.
Favourite view?
There were so many.
We managed to fit in an evening walk when we had those two freakishly warm days and discovered the other side of Holmfirth, where we were surprised with this view over the valley when we reached the top of the hill. This was actually a test run walk for when my parents came to visit, and they too vouch that this view is great.
The view atop of the hill where the B29 plane crashed in the late 40s, is beautiful, even though the landscape on the hill itself is a tad macabre.
Another cracking view was the one we well and truly earned after scaling Holme Moss on the bikes. Thought it was all going to end on that road, it seemed to never end.
Not quite sold on the artsy frame that supposedly frames the landscape. If anything, it’s sort of in the way
Favourite memory?
One of the first free days we had, we decided to go for a trail run. Alex drove us to Dunford Bridge and then we ran all the way to Penistone (hehe) and back. Although the run out was a hell of a lot easier, for obvious reasons, it was also fair weather — the same could not be said for the return journey. So much rain and wind. On top of that, my knees started to give in. Despite all this, it was a really fun trip out, and one of my favourite memories of the trip.
Alex’s answer — hot tub. All the times we were in the hot tub were cherished moments. Especially when the sun was out, and a drink was in hand.
Favourite walk?
On one of the two summer-like days we had at the beginning of April, we tried to go for a cycle further down in the Peaks, touching Mam Tor, down Snake Road — basically circling Hope Valley. My bike tyre had other plans and 20 minutes in I got a flat. Turned out the spare inner tube was also flat. No more cycling for me. Luckily, I’d suggested we pack our hiking clothes and boots for a quick walk after the cycle, so we were able to turn a lil faux pas around quite quickly.
We decided to recreate a walk we’d done with my parents a few years previously in the winter of 2017, and scale Mam Tor again. It was so wonderful to see it in the sunshine, and to be able to walk outside in a t-shirt!
As I mentioned previously, we’ve also walked around the B29 crash site. It was another beautiful day although around 20 degrees cooler! We still managed to have a lil sit down in the sun, and even did a spot of cloud watching in the moorlands.
A few more questions
Was 5 weeks the right amount of time?
Possibly a bit too long, we’d say you’d need a whole free week in the Peaks in order to get a feel for the place. And it’s a ton better when the sun is out, so would recommend visiting in the summer when you’re more likely to see it in the sunshine.
Would you visit again?
Now that we’ve been, it feels like we’ve been there, done that. Although we liked Holmfirth, we didn’t feel enamoured by it. It’s a beautiful little village don’t get me wrong, but there’s so many more places we’d like to see first.
Having said that, I fell in love with the Hideout, a little bar in the centre of Holmfirth, Although I didn’t get to go in, we got takeaway coffee there, and I got to see the terrace and the interior; I’d go back for a cocktail on that terrace. There were actually a few restaurants in Holmfirth that I’d like to check out — The Whippet and Pickle looked really lovely, and The Winking Stag looked like a fun cocktail bar.
Perfect short break itinerary?
Day 1- Explore Holmfirth
Take the morning to walk around the village, check out the local shops, get a coffee from one of the many cafes. Then after lunch (probably outside on the picnic tables at the The Old Bridge Inn pub), take the trail path out of the village and follow the river for a while. Come back up and over the hill, through Netherthong and have a burger at Lou and Joe’s for dinner.
Day 2- Walk in the South Peaks
Big day, you’ll need a big breakfast! Drive down to Castleton (just under an hour away) and park in the village. Take the path up through the valley and walk over the hills to get to the summit of Mam Tor. If you’re feeling strong, carry a picnic with you, and sit atop the mountain for lunch. Otherwise, there’s a ton of pubs in the village, as well as a deli and a fish and chips shop. Once you’re back in Holmfirth, go for a cocktail at The Hide Out or The Winking Stag and then check out Harvey’s Bar & Kitchen or The Whippet and Pickle for a bite to eat.
Day 3- Moorland walk and B29 crash site
Drive to and park on Snake Road, as near to the crash site as you can. Take a gander up and across the moors, spot a few rabbits, and admire the views across the Peaks. Once you reach the top of the moor, check out the spectacular views and see if you can spot Manchester in the distance. You can make this walk as long or as short as you like — depending on where you park! As it’s your last day and you’ve done a big walk, treat yourself by picking up some fish and chips from Compo’s or Catch on the way home.
