The Colne Valley crosses the Pennines in West Yorkshire. It takes its name from the River Colne which flows along the floor of the valley through the villages of Marsden, Slaithwaite, Linthwaite and Golcar.

The Valley played a significant role in the development of the Industrial Revolution. Most of the population had been weavers for generations, so when water-powered textile mills were built on the many streams and small rivers in the area, the area was well set to become a major producer of textiles. The River Colne and the Huddersfield_Narrow_Canal provided early transport links which were soon added to by road and railway links to Huddersfield and Leeds to the East and Manchester and Liverpool to the West.

By the end of the Second World War, the importance of the Colne Valley as a centre of textile production began to decrease. The area is now primarily residential, its excellent transport links making it ideal for commuters. Tourism is being promoted: the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was reopened in 2001 and boat trips into Standedge Tunnel are available; the National Trust advertise walks on Marsden Moor Estate; and television programs such as Last_of_the_Summer_Wine and Where_the_Heart_Is have been filmed there.

External links

• The Colne Valley Society (http://www.colne-valley.clara.co.uk/index.htm)
• Standedge Visitor Centre (http://www.standedge.co.uk/)
• Marsden Moor (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/marsdenmoor/)