Living In Marsden

Stephen and Rachael, the owners of SB Homes, have lived in Marsden their whole lives, raising three daughters who all share the love of the village too.

So, while it might seem a little biased, we’re sure if you spend a little time here you would love it as much as we do.

We have put a some information and insider knowledge on the area.

Marsden is situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park and is known for its picturesque scenery, historic buildings, and vibrant community.

1. Walking

Firstly, we would start off with the wow factor of Marsden and one thing as soon as you visit which you will see straight away is the expanse of moorland that surrounds the village itself.

If you are an outdoors enthusiast, then you are in the right playground.

Marsden is surrounded by beautiful countryside, making it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. The village is situated on the Pennine Way, and there are numerous hiking and cycling trails in the surrounding hills and valleys. The village also has its own cricket club, football club, and rugby club, as well as a community-run swimming pool.

The Marsden Moor Estate is a large expanse of moorland between West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, managed by the National Trust. The estate covers 2,429 hectares of unenclosed common moorland and almost surrounds Marsden. The landscape is made of moorland, valleys, peaks, and crags.

The moors have been a water catchment area since the Victorian era when several reservoirs were built, along with their associated catchwaters in the Wessenden Valley. The Pennine Way and the Peak District Boundary Walk run across the moors.

With all of this just on our doorstep we have put together a few of our favourite walks for you to share with us:

• March Hill & Cupwith Circular
• Standedge Circular walk
• Pule Hill Walk
• Deer Hill Walk
• Wessenden Valley Walk

These are just a few examples of walks on the vast moorland that surrounds Marsden. The walking routes in the area are endless and once you are up on the moors you can walk for hours without seeing anyone! For a more of a gentle walk, we also have the Huddersfield narrow canal towpath where you can walk to neighbouring villages such as Slaithwaite, in as little as an hour.

2. Places to visit

Standedge Visitor Centre

Standedge Tunnel is Britain’s longest, deepest, highest canal tunnel nestled deep beneath the beautiful Pennie countryside.

Get your hard hats at the ready so you can explore in the tunnel. Step on board for a 30-minute boat trip through the 200-year-old tunnel where you can hear all the secrets and fascinating tales of the years gone by.

We bet you’ve never stopped to think about why the Huddersfield Narrow Canal engineers decided to construct in such an awkward place or what famous bit of slang was inspired that we still use today!

You can visit the visitors centre located in the old canal warehouse and learn the stories of folk that built and navigated this tremendous tunnel.

Feeling peckish? You can also visit the Watersedge Café in the Old Tunnel End cottages. Enjoy a cup of tea and a slice of cake or visit for lunch on a lovely summer’s day by the canal. You may even see the resident ducks, Jemima and Duncan, float past the picnic tables.

It’s one of the seven wonders of the waterways and a great family day out. Visitors can explore deep into the tunnel on one of the family friendly guided boat trips, stop for a bite to eat in the cafe and let the kids jump, climb and explore around our playground and wildlife garden.

You can also get a barge ride from Marsden train station to the Visitor Centre which is great for children.

The Old Coach House Healing centre

The Coach House healing centre offers life therapies and treatments and although not a traditional spa, it’s a home from home with relaxing spa facilities.

They open the facilities daily to singles, couples and groups offering a very personal, exclusive and an alternative service.

Marsden Mechanics

Marsden has a strong sense of community, with a range of local groups and activities to get involved in. There are several local clubs and societies covering everything from history and genealogy to arts and crafts.

The Mechanics Hall on Peel Street, has a distinctive clock tower, is the community hub of the village hosting all kinds of events, including gigs, fairs, meetings and festivals and regular meetings for tea dances, art classes, Zumba, yoga, powerhooping, language and sewing. The hall is run by the charity Marsden Mechanics Hall Management Association. The mechanics also has a well-stocked library.

3. Sports facilities

Marsden has several sporting clubs which are mostly community run. The main hub of sporting facilities is at Hemplow, where there is an 18-hole golf course, 3 tennis courts, crown green bowling, football pitch and a cricket club.

There are competitive leagues and training facilities at each of the clubs for both adults and children. The facilities are well maintained mainly led by the community.

View on map

4. Places to eat and drink

Marsden has a range of amenities to suit all needs, including a post office, Co-Op, and a variety of shops and cafes. There are also several pubs and restaurants in the area, offering a range of cuisines and styles.

Restaurants

• The New Inn
• The Riverhead Brewery Tap
• The Railway
• Arcade Marsden
• Mozzarellas
• The Olive Branch

Cafés

• Little Lock
• Marios Diner
• Crumbals on the Corner
• Katies Kitchen
• Number 11 Bistro
• Watersedge Cafe, Standedge Tunnel & Visitors Centre
• Sass Coffee & Yoga Studio

Takeaways

• Marsden Spice
• Fu Lin
• Marsden Fisheries
• Oi Dumplings

5. Places to Stay

Marsden has plenty of places to stay, including our own AirBnB units in Swan House and our wooden lodges at A Place in the Pennines.

5. Housing

Marsden offers a range of housing options, from traditional stone cottages to modern apartments. The village has a mix of both rented and owned properties, with prices ranging from £75,000 to £1.5m. The area is known for its stunning views, with many properties overlooking the surrounding hills and valleys.

Properties in Marsden had an overall average price of £303,540 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Marsden during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £228,271. Detached properties sold for an average of £571,875, with semi-detached properties fetching £293,750.

Overall, sold prices in Marsden over the last year were 35% up on the previous year and 39% up on the 2020 peak of £219,053.

SB Homes, have built 100’s of houses in Marsden, two of the largest developments are Clough Lea and Deer Hill Drive.

6. Education

Marsden has a number of highly regarded schools, including Marsden Infant and Nursery School and Marsden Junior School, and Colne Valley High School. There are also several nurseries and childcare providers in the area.

7. Transport

Train Station

Marsden train station is a 5-minute walk into the village centre. From Monday to Sunday, Marsden is served by an hourly stopping TransPennine Express service between Manchester Piccadilly and Huddersfield. All other TransPennine Express services pass through at high speed and do not stop. There is an hourly service between Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly on Sundays only.

Buses

Marsden has regular bus services in both directions to neighbouring villages and towns.

Taxis

• Royal Taxis – 01484 847222
• Woods Taxis – 01484 400400

Road

Marsden is well-connected by both road and rail. The village is located on the A62, which connects Huddersfield to Manchester, and the M62 motorway is easily accessible.

8. Community

Marsden is a picturesque and welcoming village with a strong community spirit and plenty to offer residents of all ages and interests. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful rural retreat or an active community hub, Marsden could be the perfect place for you.