With local food producers, food markets and independent eateries galore, the market town of Todmorden is a haven for foodies. Combine this with picturesque walks, artisan shops and impressive architecture, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect day out. Check out our itinerary below to get inspiration for your trip.

Morning

Arrive by train at Todmorden station. Half hourly services from both Manchester and Leeds – find more information at Northern Railway.

On arriving in this picturesque market town, you may want to stop for supplies for a picnic lunch from the well-stocked indoor market (fully open Wednesday – Sundays). From Crumbly Cheese you can pick up some award winning Pextenament Cheese, produced less than two miles away high on the Pennine hills overlooking the town, from Ham Corner collect one or more of their famous pork pies and from Exchange Coffee get your caffeine hit from their very own Todmorden blend. If a loaf of bread might compliment your ever-growing bounty try Baked, a fantastic artisanal maker based in Todmorden. Or if a selection of vegan goodies would be more your thing, call into Tod Almighty Wholefoods to stock up on delicious vegan food and plastic-free treats for your picnic.

Before heading off for your picnic, you can’t miss the iconic Grade 1 listed Town Hall. This building, commissioned by the ever-present Fielden family, used to straddle the Lancashire Yorkshire boundary until it was moved in 1888, which can be seen in the figures on the pediment with the left representing the Lancashire cotton industry and the right Yorkshire’s agriculture and engineering prowess. Town Hall tours can be attended throughout the year, ordinarily on the first Sunday of every month, but tours can also be arranged at other times and are the perfect way to spend an hour or so.

Now time to find the perfect picnic spot! Here you’ve two fantastic options; you could head off to Centre Vale Park where you can picnic on the lush open greenery and forget you’re even in a town centre or head into the woods for an atmospheric lunch surrounded by fairy folk if the tales are to be believed (you’d have to speak to the Folklore Centre about that!) If a stroll and lunch beside the water are more your cup of tea head along the Rochdale Canal towards Gauxholme to pass the Great Wall of Tod, made of 4 million blue bricks, and be awed by the fantastic Victorian folly of Gauxholme Viaduct designed by George Stephenson.

Afternoon

You can’t come to Todmorden and not hear more about Incredible Edible – the internationally renowned initiative which had its humble beginnings right here in Tod! How about following the Incredible Edible Green Route? Either arrange a personalised tour by contacting Incredible Edible Todmorden in advance, or follow their map to take an amble around the town all while learning about how fruit and vegetables are creating a kind, confident and connected community.

After all that touring, you’ll be ready for a rest and a cup of tea and cake, Honest John’s, so christened due to John Fielden MP’s local nickname, is just up the road from the Town Hall. As are several other excellent cafes. If you fancy something stronger you might like to try Todmorden’s only micropub, aptly named The Pub, where you can sample numerous locally brewed ales and even some gins!

Evening

If you’ve still room left and time to spare, stay for tea (cos that’s what your evening meal is called round here!) and sample some excellent traditional pub food. The Staff of Life has the quirk factor from being built into the hillside, as many buildings are locally, and the Top Brink Inn and the Shepherd’s Rest Inn have the wow factor that comes from being perched high on the tops of the moors. Or if you don’t fancy the pub, how about fresh pizza from Woody’s Pizza? The owners have been residents of Calderdale for 25 years and use only the freshest and most local of ingredients, bought from neighbouring farmers and Todmorden Market traders.

Explore More

Look out for Northern Cheese Tours events in Todmorden – pairing cheese tasting with storytelling as you are guided through Todmorden town. Hear fascinating stories from Todmorden’s past whilst trying out exceptional local cheeses. What’s not to like?

If you happen to visit Todmorden on the last Friday or Saturday of the month, we recommend a wander up to Eagle Crag Brewery (about a 30-minute walk from the towncentre). At the end of the month, they open their tap room to the public, usually with a guest DJ, so you can sample their fine ales all while soaking up the local atmosphere. Check out their special events on their website.