Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Halifax Piece Hall

Piece Hall

This Georgian architectural masterpiece is the only cloth hall left in Britain.

Halifax, England

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Piece Hall.   Tim Green
The building.   Phil Champion
Piece Hall.   Tim Green
Piece Hall.   Peter Burgess
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
  Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
19th century door   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
The square is used for a flea market every Thursday.   Phil Champion
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
Detail on 19th century iron door.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Hallifax Piece Hall is one of Britain’s most outstanding Georgian buildings. It’s rightly described by the current management as a “rare and precious thing." Indeed, it is rare—it’s the only surviving example of the 18th-century cloth halls once common in the north of England.

These structures were once essential to the handwoven textile trade, which played a key part in the economy of the West Riding of Yorkshire from the Middle Ages through to the early 19th century. This particular one dates from the 1770s, meaning it was built toward the end of the trade’s popularity.

The Halifax Piece Hall is said to have been the most prestigious of its type. Looking at first sight like a typical quadrangle-based Spanish or Italian main city square (but rather less decorated), the Piece Hall was a highly visible statement of the great wealth, pride, and ambition of the handloom weaving community. Although built for trade use, the weavers deliberately chose a Neoclassical design for their building which can only be described as outstanding.

Yet despite its grandeur, the cloth hall was unable to survive after the Industrial Revolution, which saw the demise of small producers and traders as newer, larger mills began trading directly with merchants and exporters. In 1868, it fell under the ownership of the local authorities, who converted it to a wholesale market hall.

But by 1971, the Piece Hall was seen as unsuitable for this endeavor as well. It was considered for demolition, but thankfully government grants became available to save the unique building. The sheds that had been built in the courtyard in the 19th century were demolished, and the courtyard was beautifully landscaped to include some nice water features. Additional walls were removed from the original tiny rooms to create new shops.

The site now has a number of bars and restaurants as well as a range of art galleries and high end shops. However, it’s the ability to stand in the center of the courtyard and admire the ambition and pride of the 18th-century handloom weavers that is the main reason for a visit to this wonderful historic building.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Architecture Industrial Markets

Know Before You Go

Best parking is probably at the Eureka Children's museum near the railway station. There is a nice industrial museum attached to the hall. The main town library is also next to the hall. Here you can also get tourist information. There is a small history interpretation center in one corner of the quadrangle.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe, rbenn250

  • Kerry Wolfe
  • rbenn250

Published

March 29, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piece_Hall
  • http://www.architecturetoday.co.uk/halifax-piece-hall/
Piece Hall
Square Rd
Halifax, England
United Kingdom
53.721943, -1.856919
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Halifax Gibbet

Halifax, England

miles away

Shibden Hall

Halifax, England

miles away

Wainhouse Tower

Halifax, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Halifax

Halifax

England

Places 4

Nearby Places

The Halifax Gibbet

Halifax, England

miles away

Shibden Hall

Halifax, England

miles away

Wainhouse Tower

Halifax, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Halifax

Halifax

England

Places 4

Related Places

  • Peavey–Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator

    St. Louis Park, Minnesota

    Peavey-Haglin Experimental Concrete Grain Elevator

    This unassuimng grain elevator, commonly confused for a smokestack, helped inspire the modern architecture movement.

  • Holmberg and Johnson Blacksmith & Wagonshop.

    Lindsborg, Kansas

    Holmberg and Johnson Blacksmith & Wagonshop

    This historic early-20th-century building still boasts some of its original features.

  • The mosque-shaped factory.

    Dresden, Germany

    Yenidze

    Tourists often confuse this beautifully ornate former cigarette factory for a mosque.

  • Ida Grove.

    Ida Grove, Iowa

    Castles of Ida Grove

    An eclectic assortment of medieval architecture in a small Iowa town.

  • Al Bidya Mosque.

    Al Bidya, United Arab Emirates

    Al Bidya Mosque

    The oldest surviving mosque in the UAE has mysterious origins and unusual architecture.

  • The kiln.

    London, England

    'Potteries and Piggeries' Bottle Kiln

    A relic from one of London's worst 19th-century slums.

  • The Augenroller.

    Koblenz, Germany

    Augenroller (Eye Roller)

    Every half hour the eye-rolling clock face sticks out its tongue to mock the good citizens of Koblenz.

  • Lime kilns.

    Washington, D.C.

    Godey Lime Kilns

    A historic ruin just 20 feet away from a busy highway onramp.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.