NT Hardcastle Crags

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NT Hardcastle Crags

The countryside is open daily, from dawn until dusk. The Weaving Shed cafe is open Fri-Sun during winter months and 7 days a week during the warmer months.

A wonderful beauty spot of the South Pennines with more than 160 hectares (400 acres) of unspoilt woodland walks for everyone

Home to the northern hairy wood ant, there are also tumbling streams, glorious waterfalls and stacks of millstone grit. At its heart is Gibson Mill telling the history of the valley over the past 200 years, with displays, dressing up, dancing and exhibitions. Refreshment

s are available at the Weaving Shed Cafe. Weddings and civil partnerships and occasional exhibitions are held in the Mill. Having no link to the national grid, the mill is unique in the UK and is the Trust's flagship sustainable building.

10/06/2026

Volunteering Day: Balsam Bashing at Hardcastle Crags 🌿

Join our Rangers and make a real difference in the woodland! Help tackle Himalayan Balsam, an invasive plant that threatens native wildlife and increases flood risk. It’s a rewarding day outdoors, connecting with nature while protecting it for the future.

📅 28 June & 19 July
⏰ 10:00 – 14:00
📍 Meet at upper car park, Midgehole
🎟️ Free event – booking essential via our website

Expect a short walk to the site and a hands-on conservation experience. Please wear suitable clothing and bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, and gloves if you have them.

Older children are welcome with an adult (please note: no toilet facilities on site).

Book your place online 👉https://bit.ly/4vx7o85

09/06/2026

⚠ Hardcastle Crags will be closing at 1pm today due to staffing issues, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

04/06/2026

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers here at Hardcastle Crags! ❤️

03/06/2026

Discover our latest exhibition at Gibson Mill 🌿

Part of the Nature Calling project, commissioned by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and delivered by Shape North. The Nature's Reflections exhibition celebrates how walking, observing, and creating can transform the way we see nature and our place within it.

This exhibition brings together a powerful collection of artworks created by young people from three Kirklees schools, inspired by their journeys through some of Yorkshire’s most iconic landscapes.

From Marsden Moor to and Malham Cove, these paintings, photographs, poems, films and crafted pieces explore connection, creativity and care for the natural world.

Nature's Reflections
📅 22 May - 9 August
⏰10am-4pm on open days

18/05/2026

The perfect weekend at Hardcastle Crags 🌿

Make the most of the bright weather with two relaxing woodland wellness experiences designed to help you slow down and recharge:

🌳 Forest Bathing with Wild Heather Wellness
📅 Friday 22 May

Take a guided, mindful walk through the woodland with a certified Forest Therapy Practitioner. Tune into your senses, enjoy gentle meditation and nature connection, and finish with herbal tea, journaling and a relaxed sharing circle.

🔥 Woodland Sauna with
📅 22–24 May

Unwind in a wood-fired sauna surrounded by trees, cool off in the fresh valley air, and soak up the sights and sounds of spring as the landscape comes to life.

✨ Book now to secure your place:
👉 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/yorkshire/hardcastle-crags/events

14/05/2026

Reconnect with nature this spring 🌿

There are still spaces available for our next sauna session. Set beside the iconic mill building, you’ll unwind in the sauna surrounded by ancient woodland.

Wander through bluebell woods on your way, then step into the warmth and let nature work its magic.

Book your place and find out more: https://bit.ly/4cnCed7

12/05/2026

📣 New job alert! 📣

We’re looking for an organised, people‑focused Business Services Co‑ordinator to support our teams across East Riddlesden Hall and NT Hardcastle Crags.

This varied role is perfect if you enjoy keeping things running smoothly, supporting colleagues and volunteers, and making sure high standards are met behind the scenes at two very different but much‑loved places.

🕘 30 hours per week, worked across 4 days
📍 3 days at East Riddlesden Hall, 1 day at Hardcastle Crags
💷 £22,089.60 per year (pro‑rated)

You’ll be supporting day‑to‑day operations, finance and compliance systems, and working closely with staff and volunteers to help deliver the best experience for people and places.

If you’re well organised, confident with IT, enjoy problem‑solving and working as part of a small, supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more and apply online: https://bit.ly/48YDYHf

11/05/2026

Forest Bathing at Hardcastle Crags ✨🌿

📅 22 May
⏰ 5.30–7.30pm

Slow down and reconnect with nature at Hardcastle Crags with a guided Forest Bathing session led by Wild Heather Wellness, a certified Forest Therapy Practitioner.

This gentle, mindful experience invites you to wander the woodland at an unhurried pace, tune into your senses, and deepen your connection with the natural world. You’ll enjoy a guided walk with nature insights, sensory meditation, and a series of forest bathing invitations, finishing with herbal tea, guided journaling and a relaxed sharing circle.

Book your place online https://bit.ly/4wxRXOD

06/05/2026

Volunteer with Us – Grassland Management at Hardcastle Crags 🌿

Love the outdoors and want to make a real difference for nature? We’re looking for a small group of volunteers to join our Grassland Management team at the beautiful Hardcastle Crags on Fridays 09:30-12pm between May-September.

What you’ll be doing:
• Helping protect species rich ancient grasslands
• Removing invasive plants like bracken and thistles using hand pulling techniques
• Helping prepare areas so wildlife can thrive

This role is perfect if you:
• Enjoy being active and working outdoors (whatever the weather!)
• Like working as part of a team
• Care about wildlife and the countryside
• Want to learn new skills or share those you already have

It’s a rewarding, hands on role where your time really does make a difference.

Interested? Please follow the link for further information and details on how to apply: https://bit.ly/3QLO87Y

30/04/2026

Sunshine at last - and the Weaving Shed Café is open 7 days a week! 🌞

Make the most of spring with a woodland wander at Hardcastle Crags, with over 15 miles of footpaths to explore. Afterwards, refuel at the Weaving Shed Café, serving a range of drinks and tasty snacks to enjoy in the café or take away and soak up the views around Gibson Mill.

🐾 Dog‑friendly
Four‑legged friends are welcome at the café and around Gibson Mill (on leads please). Water bowls are available in the yard to help thirsty pups cool down after their walk.

Address

Midgehole Road, Hardcastle Crags, Midgehole Road
Halifax
HX77

Telephone

+441422844518

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardcastle-crags/

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