Holmfirth

Stone cottages tumble down hillsides like something from a Victorian postcard. Holmfirth earned its fame as the filming location for Last of the Summer Wine, and the town still feels wonderfully frozen in time. Those familiar streets and alleyways where Compo, Clegg and Foggy got up to their antics remain largely unchanged, drawing visitors who half-expect to see a bathtub careering down the cobbles.

The surrounding Pennine landscape is properly dramatic - rolling hills divided by dry stone walls, with dark gritstone villages tucked into valleys. Castle Hill looms on the horizon, its ancient earthworks visible for miles around. Horn Hill offers cracking views across the Holme Valley, while the network of woodland footpaths through Royd Wood and Park Wood provides excellent walking whatever the weather.

Sid's Café still serves up hearty Yorkshire fare, trading heavily on its TV connections but doing decent enough grub. The real draw here is simply pottering about the steep streets, browsing the independent shops and soaking up that distinctly Yorkshire atmosphere. Maythorne Cross marks one of several historic sites scattered around the valley, remnants of the area's industrial past when textile mills powered the local economy.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the train stations at Brockholes and Honley connect to the national network via Huddersfield, about 6 miles northeast. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense for exploring both the town and the wider Pennines. You're well-placed for day trips to the Yorkshire Dales or the Peak District, while Holmfirth itself provides that authentic slice of Yorkshire life that feels increasingly rare.