Castle Hill

What it’s like

Climb Victoria Tower on top of Castle Hill for the view over Huddersfield, and change for coins at the door.

The pull here is Victoria Tower, sat right at the top of Castle Hill, and the reason to go is the view from the top rather than anything laid on for children. There's no soft play or activity trail listed, just the tower itself and the hill it sits on, so this suits a family who fancies a proper walk and a look-out point rather than an afternoon of entertainment.

The prices are almost quaint: £2.60 for an adult, 70p for a child, £5.20 for a family of four. Nobody's going to feel stung by that, though the trade-off is the opening hours are tight and seasonal. Autumn and winter it's 10.30am to 3pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and late September into October it's a Saturday-only 12pm to 4.30pm slot, so this isn't a rock-up-whenever spot, you'll want to check which window you're aiming for before you set off.

Getting up there is the other thing to plan around. The access road isn't suitable for large vehicles and the paths to the tower are steep and uneven, with the tower itself reached by steps only, so a buggy or a wheelchair is going to struggle on this one. There's a car park at the summit and a bus service (the 341 from Huddersfield through Almondbury) if you'd rather not drive up. Worth knowing too that the tower can close at short notice in bad weather, which makes sense once you're picturing an exposed hilltop in a Yorkshire gale.

Cash and contactless are both taken on site, which is a small mercy if you've turned up with no change. Don't expect a long visit, this is more a there-and-back-up-the-hill outing than a half-day out, but the view from the top is the bit that'll stick with the kids.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Car park at summit. Access road not suitable for large vehicles

Wheelchairs

Tower accessed by steps only. Paths to Victoria Tower are steep and uneven

Getting there by bus or train

Bus 341 Huddersfield-Almondbury-Stocksmoor

• Victoria Tower can shut at short notice in bad weather, so a windy day is a gamble
• The site's on a hill with steep, uneven paths, wear proper shoes not buggy-pushing trainers
• Bus 341 runs from Huddersfield through Almondbury if you don't fancy driving up
• Opening hours change with the season, so double-check which window applies before you set off

Plan your visit

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