Todmorden

Todmorden is a market town and civil parish in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Calder Valley in the South Pennines, near the boundary with Lancashire. The town sits on the River Calder and is overlooked by surrounding moorland, with the hill of Stoodley Pike to the north-east. The population is around 15,000.

Historically, Todmorden developed as a textile town during the Industrial Revolution, with cotton mills and associated housing along the river. The arrival of the Manchester and Leeds railway in the 19th century linked Todmorden to larger urban centers and contributed to growth. The town retains some 19th-century architecture and remains a local commercial hub with a weekly market and independent shops centred on the town square.

Transport links include the Todmorden railway station on the line between Manchester and Leeds via the Calder Valley, and the A646 road that passes through the town. The famous Todmorden Viaduct carries the railway over the valley.

In recent decades, Todmorden has become known for community-led initiatives, notably Incredible Edible Todmorden (founded 2008), which promotes urban food growing and local sustainability. Centre Vale Park provides parkland, play areas and views across the valley. Todmorden High School serves secondary education, with several primary schools in the town.