Birkby
It had already become a large district in the Victorian era as new housing was provided for the expanding industrial town, but in recent years it has been extended even further, for more than a mile, by modern housing development along the Grimescar Valley.
Historically Birkby was the location for some of Huddersfield's best known businesses including soft drink manufacturer Ben Shaws and valve-making company Hopkinson's, later taken over by the Weir Group.
The former Hopkinson's industrial site has now also been put to housing use.
There are still industrial premises and business headquarters in parts of the area and a vibrant shopping area.
Around Birkby
Birkby has a busy shopping area centering on the northern end of Blacker Road and around St John's Road near to its junction with Blacker Road. There are also many other local shops scattered around the area. Among the shops in the area are several convenience stores, grocery and greengrocery shops, halal butchers, Asian fashions, jewellers, Polish food, Asian sweets and cakes, newsagents, travel and letting agencies, a plumbers merchant and florists.
Birkby has a pharmacy in Grimscar Avenue.
Birkby has a wide selection of takeaways catering for all tastes.
Birkby has an Asian restaurant. Pub food can also be found.
The Spinks Nest is in Blacker Road.Magic Rock Tap is at the Willow Park Business Centre, Willow Lane.
Birkby and Fartown Community Centre is in Wasp Nest Road, Fartown. Birkby Children's Centre is also located there.
Birkby and Fartown Library is in Mead Street.To find out more about this library try
Kirklees Council - Libraries
Norman Park is a small and secluded park with playing field, play equipment and war memorial between Birkby Hall Road, Norman Road and Halifax Road.
Oakfield Tennis and Bowling Club is in Beechfield Road.
Oakfield Tennis and Bowling Club
Birkby Junior School is in Mead Street, Fartown. Birkby Junior SchoolBirkby Infant and Nursery School is in Blacker Road North, Birkby.
Birkby Infant and Nursery School
St John the Evangelist Church, built between 1852 and 1853, is in St John's Road. St John's BirkbySt Cuthbert Church, Birkby, founded in 1913, is in Grimscar Avenue and has facilities for worship and community events.
St Cuthbert's BirkbyVajrapani Kadampa Meditation Centre (Buddhist) is in Wheathouse Road in a building previously used by Birkby Baptist Church.
Vajrapani Kadampa Meditation CentreMarkazi Jamia Masjid Riza Islamic Centre is in Halifax Old Road.
Markazi Jamia Masjid Riza
Local government
Civil parish council
There is no civil parish council for this area, which prior to 1974 was in the Huddersfield County Borough.Metropolitan district councils
Birkby is in the Greenhead ward of Kirklees Council. Kirklees Council website
Kirklees Council
Travel
Bus services
360 Daily (part route at weekends). Route includes circular sections.
No service to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on Saturdays and Sundays. Huddersfield town centre - Sheepridge only.
Timetable at
Metro Team Pennine 384 385 Monday to Saturday daytime
↓ 384 ↑ 385385 is reverse of 384 route above.
Timetables at
Metro - 384 Metro - 385 Stotts Coach Travel549
Rastrick - Brighouse - Hipperholme - Halifax
Timetable at
Metro FirstOther places near Birkby: