Digital Content Editor, Jacky, recently spent some time on a West Yorkshire visit of family where she grew up. She was surprised at how much she’d missed about her childhood favourite places.
Although I’ve lived in Scotland for almost nine years now and very much consider it my home, I grew up in West Yorkshire. I still have family and friends there and visit a couple of times a year, making a little holiday out of it. I’ve found I love going back to childhood favourites as an adult. It’s full of nostalgia but also find myself learning all sorts of new things as a tourist.
As an example, last year we went to Knaresborough and Mother Shipton’s Cave — somewhere I’d been loads of times as a child. But younger me couldn’t appreciate how beautiful Knaresborough is. I was gobsmacked at what I discovered as an adult!
Piece Hall, Halifax
In my most recent trip, we spent most of our time in Halifax. Firstly visiting Piece Hall, a Grade 1 listed building and only Georgian cloth hall left in the world. I’m ashamed to say that I’d only visited once before when I was quite young. But it had left an impression and I always wanted to go back. It’s improved tonnes since then with restaurants and bars, but I was most excited by a gorgeous little book shop, Book Corner.
Shibden Park
The next childhood favourite we went back to was Shibden Park, home of Shibden Hall and famous figure, Anne Lister. As a wee one, we mainly came here for the mini-train that takes you around the park. I don’t remember ever actually going up to see Shibden Hall. It truly felt like transporting in time! We still didn’t get the chance to look inside so that’s on my list for next time.
I’ve already booked my next trip to Yorkshire in July and plan on discovering even more new places in my old home.
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Jacqueline Munro I am the Digital Content Editor at "The People's Friend", looking after our website, social media channels and podcast.
