Once home to a railway and a cotton mill Hardcastle Crags has many interesting tales to tell, help us ensure it's future by discovering its past.
Gibson Mill
In the middle of Hardcastle Crags you'll find Gibson Mill, home to the Weaving Shed Cafe and Shop. This former cotton mill and entertainment emporium boasts a fantastic and varied history. We have tours, exhibitions and special events throughout the year.
Explore the past
People have lived, worked and played in this surprising location for over 200 years. Weirs, stepping stones and packhorse trails all hint at past activities.
Gibson Mill with the mill pond overflowing into Hebden WaterPennine Horizons Digital Archive.
From Handloom Weaving to the Entertainment Emporium era
The wooden 'city' was built to house the workmen and their families employed in the construction of the Walshaw Dean Reservoirs, 1900 to 1912. Dawson City, HeptonstallAlice Longstaff Collection / Pennine Horizons Digital Archive
Named after the town of Dawson City in The Yukon in Canada which experienced the Klondike Gold Rush towards the end of the 19th century, find out more about Dawson City, Heptonstall
Visit Gibson Mill to find out how a cotton mill became a popular entertainment venue before being transformed into an, '#OffTheGrid' visitor centre and cafe.
Keeping younger visitors busy is easy with so much to explore
National Trust Images / John Millar
Walks
Choose one of our waymarked trails and head off into the woods. The light on crisp winter mornings is glorious and may bring out your inner artist.
It's hard to imagine that this peaceful valley once had a railway built to transport workers from their temporary homes at 'Dawson City' up to the reservoirs at Gorple, Widdop and Walshaw Dean.
The valleys of Hardcastle Crags, west of Halifax, offer stunning riverside views while the oak, beech and pine woods are full of tumbling streams. Whether you decide to climb the rocky paths to the hilltops or enjoy a picnic by old weirs, there’s plenty of wildlife to see.
Wood Folk Walk
Follow the way-markers on this circular walk through the woods and find out more about the wonderful trees at Hardcastle Crags.
