The Grade II-listed market and the iconic Piece Hall are at the heart of this historic West Yorkshire town
Liv Clarke Tourism writer and Chloe Dobinson Digital Production Editor
15:13, 17 Apr 2026
The town is readily accessible by train and less than an hour’s drive from Leeds(Image: GordonBellPhotography via Getty Images)
For generations, markets have been the beating heart of towns across the nation, functioning as thriving centres long before supermarkets became widespread. From colourful fruits and vegetables to cuts of meat, fresh fish, baked goods, and cheese blocks, markets were a one-stop destination for everything.
Despite the contemporary ease of supermarket chains like Sainsbury’s and Asda, markets still buzz with life in northern towns. In Greater Manchester, Bury market remains a favourite spot, celebrated for its world-renowned Bury Black Pudding among other treats.
In 2025, it even secured a place on the top-10 coach trip destinations in the country. Set within an impressive Victorian hall, nearby Stockport Market also flourishes.
Travel to other northern towns and you’re likely to find a market hall waiting to be discovered. Reach’s Liv Clarke did precisely that on a recent visit to Halifax, which felt like stepping into a time capsule.
Halifax is readily accessible by train, with the imposing West Yorkshire countryside offering a particularly atmospheric view during the summer months.
It’s clear that the town bears a striking resemblance to its Calderdale neighbours, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden. The Yorkshire Pennines’ towns and villages are defined by their dark millstone grit buildings and historic mills, the Mirror reports.
Halifax Borough Market is a Grade II-listed building(Image: Liv Clarke)
Yet Halifax possesses a truly remarkable feature: the magnificent Piece Hall. This breathtaking Grade-I Georgian structure, dating back to 1779, boasts a vast 66,000sq ft open courtyard, looking far more at home in a European city centre than in the heart of West Yorkshire.
Surrounding the Piece Hall are rows of shops, cafés, and restaurants, all looking out over the expansive square, which plays host to Christmas markets in November and December, as well as concerts and live music events throughout the summer months.
Venture beyond the Georgian grandeur and you’ll discover another of Halifax’s hidden gems: the town’s market. Having first opened its doors in 1896, the Grade II*-listed Halifax Borough Market may not be as storied as the Piece Hall, but it carries its Victorian character with considerable pride.
Stepping inside feels like walking into a time capsule, whisking you back not only to the Victorian era but also to the lively market days of the 70s and 80s. The first thing to catch your eye is the spectacular glass roof, held aloft by towering metal pillars and archways, which flood the space below with natural light.
The market has undergone a transformation with a £4.5million fund from the government(Image: Liv Clarke)
The market has recently undergone a remarkable transformation, with £4.5million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund being used to renovate the building. The refurbishment included considerable improvements to the roof, which has been reglazed, while the ceiling and wrought iron fixtures have also been given a fresh lick of paint.
At the centre of the market stands the impressive clock tower, surrounded by wooden seating at its base – another area that has been given a facelift. The result is a bright and airy space, thanks to the improved roof, making it easy to imagine this spot as the ultimate meeting place for shoppers to enjoy a bit of conversation in days gone by.
The stalls themselves radiate a nostalgic appeal. Mister Dee’s Verandah Coffee Shop feels worlds apart from the trendy cafés we’re used to today, decorated with charming net curtains, while the Tobacconist retains its traditional name, despite now selling vapes.
As Liv strolls around, she has come across all the quintessential market staples: a fruit and veg stall brimming with produce in every shade, a haberdashery shop packed with an assortment of trimmings, a florist displaying rows of bouquets, and a particularly retro-looking lingerie stall – Carters – where a display of shapely calves model tights in every colour and style.
Beyond the bustling stalls and light-filled hall, Halifax Borough Market conceals a remarkable hidden secret. Sitting above the market are two mysterious rows of dwellings, known as the ‘Streets in the Sky’.
These terraced homes sit atop the market roof and were once occupied by those who ran businesses in the thriving market below. As of 2023, a couple still lived there, though the majority of the houses now lie vacant.
Prior to the market’s renovation, VisitCalderdale regularly organised guided tours of these secretive streets, however these were put on hold during the refurbishment works. While it’s currently impossible to explore these concealed streets, it’s fascinating to picture what life was like above the lively market stalls.
Halifax’s market may stir a sense of nostalgia, yet it continues to serve as an essential part of the local community today. During Liz’s visit, the market was buzzing with the steady hum of weekday shoppers, traders selling their wares, and workmen grabbing a bacon sandwich before heading back to the job.
It’s encouraging to see these historic venues still very much in operation and well worth a visit should you find yourself in this Yorkshire town.
