Visit Todmorden

01/06/2026

Some stories refuse to stay buried...

For generations, Todmorden's landscape has inspired tales of witches, ghosts, unexplained encounters, strange histories and local folklore. Now we're inviting artists, writers and makers to help bring those stories to life.

📜 CALL FOR CREATIVES

"Todmorden: Tales of the Peculiar" is a community exhibition exploring the town's folklore, myths, mysteries and overlooked histories.

We are looking for:
• Visual art
• Photography
• Poetry and short prose
• Ceramics, sculpture and curiosities

Whether you're inspired by Eagle's Crag, Devil's Rock, unexplained sightings, local legends, or your own interpretation of Todmorden's peculiar side, we'd love to hear from you.

📅 Submission deadline: 1 July 2026
📍 Exhibition: 2–30 September 2026

What strange story would you tell?

🔗 How to Apply: Head to https://www.visittodmorden.co.uk/ to submit your peculiar tale.

29/05/2026

A dark pact, an enchanted hunt, and a signet ring that revealed a terrible secret... 🕯️

As we research folklore for our upcoming *Unofficial Guide to Todmorden*, we've discovered that the legend of the Witch of Eagle's Crag is even stranger than we imagined.

The tale tells of Lady Sybil of Bernshaw Tower, who gained the power to transform into a white doe. When her secret was finally uncovered, the consequences echoed through the valley for generations. Even today, stories persist of spectral figures, mysterious white deer, and strange sightings around Eagle's Crag.

👇 Explore the landscape behind the legend

You don't have to wait for the guide to discover it yourself. We've created a walking route on Komoot that follows the valley around Eagle's Crag, taking in dramatic moorland views, the site of Bernshaw Tower, and some of Todmorden's most atmospheric countryside.

🚗 Start responsibly from Todmorden Sports Centre and follow public rights of way throughout the route. Please note that Eagle's Crag itself is on private land and should be viewed from the surrounding public footpaths.

🍻 Make a day of it:
• Eagles Crag Brewery
• Staff of Life Todmorden
• Porcus

Whether you come for the folklore, the scenery, or the local food and drink, this corner of the valley is well worth exploring.

Map: https://bit.ly/EaglesCrag

Have you heard another version of the legend?

19/05/2026

Every town has its stories... but Todmorden seems to collect them.

From whispers of UFOs to tales of witches, strange landmarks and darker chapters of local history, we’re beginning work on an unofficial guide to Todmorden’s folklore, ghosts and strange stories.

We’d love to hear the tales you grew up with, the stories you’ve heard passed down, or the places locals always talked about.

What should be included?

Tell us in the comments 👇

With thanks to the Todmorden Antiquarian Society and Pennine Horizons Digital Archive for kindly allowing use of the historical images featured in this post.

01/05/2026

It’s going to be a vibrant weekend in Todmorden as the town plays host to two fantastic cultural celebrations! 🎻✨

The Todmorden Folk Festival gets underway tonight, bringing traditional music, dance, and workshops to our streets and venues. Simultaneously, the Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival has already begun bringing its signature glamour and performance art to the town.

Whether you are here for the Morris dancing and fiddle tunes or the glitter and cabaret, there is an incredible atmosphere across the valley.

**A quick note on tickets:**
Many events across both festivals have already reached capacity. However, if you are looking to catch a performance, a limited number of remaining tickets for various shows are available in person here at Visit Todmorden It’s well worth popping in to see what’s still available for the weekend ahead.

Wishing everyone a wonderful festival weekend!

For full programs, visit:
🔗 todfolkfest.co.uk
🔗 hebdenbridgeburlesquefestival.co.uk

24/04/2026

Have you picked up the May issue of Yorkshire Life yet? We are absolutely thrilled to see 24 Hours in Todmorden included! 🎉

​It highlights everything that makes Tod so unique—from grabbing local produce at the indoor market and following the Incredible Edible trail, to exploring the Rochdale Canal, hiking up to Stoodley Pike, and enjoying our brilliant local pubs and restaurants.

​Make sure to pick up a copy of the May issue to read the full itinerary! And if you’re planning your own perfect Todmorden day, be sure to pop into the Information Centre first. We’d love to give you a free souvenir town map to get you started! 🗺️👋

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16/04/2026

We’ve all heard it… that Todmorden means ‘Death Murder’ 💀

But it’s actually a myth — and the real meaning is much more rooted in our local history.

Todmorden and the surrounding Upper Calder Valley have always been a rugged frontier. And the place names tell the story of who lived here before us - Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and earlier Celtic communities. Names like Walsden, Mankinholes and Cornholme all carry pieces of that past.

Swipe through to discover how places like Walsden and Mankinholes prove our home has been a cultural melting pot for centuries, a place where Celts, Anglo-Saxons, and Vikings all collided, traded, and settled.

It’s easy to pass these places every day without thinking about it, but there’s history hidden in plain sight.

Are you team "Totta's Marsh" or team "Valley of the Fox"? Let us know in the comments! 👇

28/03/2026

22/03/2026

🎉 TODAY is the Todmorden Bandstand Re-Launch! 🎺
Head to Centre Vale Park from 12:30pm for an amazing afternoon of FREE live, local music. 🎶

​Approximate Lineup Times:
🕛 12:30 Todmorden Brass Band
🕐 1:20 Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra
🕑 2:10 Todmorden Nasheeds
🕒 3:00 Music For The Many
🕒 3:50 Vocal Highs
🕓 4:40 Mr. Wilson's Second Liners

​Grab your friends, family, and maybe a picnic blanket, and come enjoy an amazing afternoon of free entertainment. See you at the bandstand! 🎺🎷

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02/03/2026

We are excited to announce that Pennine Heritage are hosting a Digital Archive, featuring 70,000 images, this month at Todmorden Town Hall, and you can join us:

🗓️ Wednesday 18 March | ⏰ between 12:30pm & 2:30pm

Come along and discover the history of our beloved Tod, as you scan through and pick out archival photographs that are most interesting to you 🖼️📸

Once you’ve got your favourites, the photographs will be collected together into image packs that'll be sent to local schools as inspiration for creative writing classes 📖🖋️

This is a FREE EVENT - refreshments are provided 🥤☕️

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