Pictures of Todmorden

About Todmorden

Todmorden lies on the historic border between Yorkshire and Lancashire in an area of the Calder Valley ringed by the hills of the Pennines. The town is renowned for its mills dotted along the streams flowing into the region from the hills. It is known mostly for its cotton, spinning and weaving, and at one time Todmorden had the largest weaving shed in the world. In earlier times the mills were mainly used for the grinding of corn.

One of the most famous buildings in Todmorden is the Unitarian Church, built between 1865-1869. This was built as a memorial to the memory of John Fielden (1784-1849) a wealthy cotton manufacturer and member for parliament. He had been one of the original members of the Cookite Society and was instrumental in the building of their first meeting house, built in 1824, this later became a Sunday School, and is now converted into flats.

The Victorian Gothic Church was paid for by John Fielden's sons, it is to a design by noted architect John Gibson, who also built the famous classical Town Hall and Dobroyd Castle. The church building is impressive and its interior is richly adorned with dazzling brass light fittings, furnishings of the highest quality and stained glass windows designed by the famous Brussels's glazier, J.B. Capronnier.

Modern day Todmorton offers visitors many delights, there is good shopping, pubs, inns, and sporting facilities include golf. However, a legacy of modern times is that the notorious serial killer Harold Shipman had his first medical practice in Todmorden, leaving many townsfolk wondering just how their relatives died.

Todmorton is mostly used as a commuter town for people working in Manchester, Oldham, Bolton and Bradford. Part of its attraction is its open aspects, heritage and easy access to Wadsworth Moor, the Forest of Trawden, and Keighley Moor, all reached by the Pennine Way which passes on the town's eastern side. Beyond Keighley lies the town of Skipton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.