Calderdale

Calderdale is a metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England, named after the River Calder. Its administrative centre is Halifax, and the borough covers the upper Calder Valley and surrounding moorland, including towns such as Halifax, Brighouse, Elland, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Todmorden, and Hebden Bridge.

The area has roots in the textile industries of the Industrial Revolution, with mills and engineering flourishing in the Calder Valley. Calderdale was formed in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, bringing together several urban and rural districts to create a single metropolitan borough within West Yorkshire.

Governance is provided by Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, which delivers local services and policymaking for the area. The borough is part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and lies within the Leeds City Region for economic and strategic planning. Representation in national Parliament is through MPs for constituencies covering the borough.

Geography is characterized by a hilly Pennine landscape, with urban centers concentrated in the Calder Valley. Transport links include the Calder Valley rail line, connecting Manchester, Leeds, York, and beyond, and the nearby M62 motorway. Halifax railway station, along with stations at Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, and Brighouse, serves the area.

Economy and culture have shifted from traditional textiles to services, public sector work, retail, and creative industries. Notable cultural landmarks include The Piece Hall in Halifax and Shibden Hall near the town, while Hebden Bridge and Todmorden are known for markets, arts, and a vibrant community scene.

The borough supports a population of around 210,000 and includes a range of educational institutions, with Calderdale College providing further education and numerous primary and secondary schools throughout the district.