Located in West Yorkshire, Halifax is famous for its prominent landmarks and architecture, including Piece Hall and Wainhouse Tower, the world’s tallest folly and one of the most prominent landmarks in Calderdale. It’s also fondly known as the “Toffee Town” as the city was also the birthplace of Mackintosh toffees and festive favourite, Quality Street.
If you’re looking for a day out that encompasses shopping experiences such as Brown Paper Packages (a 3-minute walk), historical sites which now play host to an eclectic mix of shopping, food and drink options, and cultural exhibits like the Piece Hall (4-minutes by foot from the station), or fascinating industrial museums which give you a glimpse into the town’s heritage such as the Calderdale Industrial Museum (also just 4-minutes away), then Halifax certainly delivers.
Discover more inspiration of things to do in Halifax
Need some more inspiration for your upcoming trip? See our top tips below on the best things to do on days out in Halifax:
Visit the picturesque Shibden Hall
Stroll through Shibden Park
Take the kids to Euraka! The National Children's Museum
Spend an hour or two at the Bankfield Museum
Discover The Manor Heath and Jungle Experience in the beautiful botanical gardens
Have an adventure day at the Halifax Ski & Snowboard Centre
Catch a show at the Viaduct Theatre
Try your luck at an escape room at the Escaporium at Berwick Street Mills and The Piece Hall
For those visiting this market town on a budget and looking to buy train tickets and little else, discover all the free things to do in Halifax:
Have a walk around the Halifax Borough Market
Enjoy free entry to the Halifax Minster and explore the rich history and beautiful architecture
Take a walk around the Ogden Water County Park & Nature Reserve
Visit the Duke of Wellington's Regimental Memorial
Go and see the Prince Albert Statue
Hop on one of our trains to Halifax
Hop on a Grand Central train to Halifax
Now you’ve got the lowdown on all the best things to do in Halifax, all that’s left to do is plan how you’re going to get there, and there’s no better way than to hop on a Grand Central train! Use our handy Journey Planner to plan your route and book your tickets. At Grand Central, we offer a range of ticket types to suit different needs:
How can I secure cheap tickets to Halifax?
To get the best possible price on your train tickets to Halifax, check out the train timetable ahead of time, decide what day and time you want to travel, and take advantage of our Advanced tickets! These usually work out cheaper than if you were to purchase your tickets on the day you’re travelling.
Another way to secure good-value tickets is to invest in a Railcard. These are well worth the investment if you’re eligible and travel by train regularly, as you can save up to ⅓ off your tickets every time, for a whole year!
Our favourite days out – other handy guides and information
Don’t forget to download a copy of our ‘Days out by Rail in Halifax’ to take with you on your next trip! This includes a top list of attractions, with details of the walking distance in minutes and miles from Halifax train station, and the number of excellent ratings it has on TripAdvisor!
To view the other handy guides and favourite days out in our series of ‘Days out by Rail’, simply visit any of the following:
- Days out by Rail in Sunderland
- Days out by Rail in Bradford
- Days out by Rail in York
- Days out by Rail in Doncaster
- Days out by Rail in London
Before you board
How do I add a train Railcard?
Once you’ve chosen your journey and departure time, you'll find an option below to add a Railcard. Simply select the ‘+’ button and scroll through the list until you find your Railcard to add it to your journey.
Keep in mind that once you select a Railcard, the train fares displayed on the app will automatically reflect the relevant discount. To remove a Railcard, select the ‘x’ next to your initial selection.
How do I book a ticket?
You can book tickets via our website (at the top of this page) or via our Grand Central Rail app (available on Google Play and the App Store)
Can I get a refund on an unused train ticket?
Yes, you can typically get a refund on an unused Grand Central train ticket, but the specific rules and procedures depend on the ticket type and the reason for the refund. Generally, you must return the ticket within 28 days of its expiry date, and you may be subject to an administration fee.
You can only refund tickets purchased through Grand Central.
Advance tickets are non-refundable, unless the service they were valid for is cancelled, disrupted or amended and, as a result, you choose not to travel.
If you have purchased an Off-peak or Anytime ticket from grandcentralrail.com, you can refund your tickets.
Find out more here.
Do you offer travel assistance?
Yes, you can book assistance in advance via Passenger Assistance to ensure a smooth journey.
How can I contact lost property?
If you think you’ve lost something at the station or on one of our trains, please contact the lost property team here.