Recently went to see Frankie Boyle here and it was very good. They get some good acts on and don't…read morecharge a fortune to see them. It has an intimate atmosphere without being claustraphobic. The sound quality was good for us as we were fairly near the front. Nice little bar area, pretty basic but good quality products. The staff are friendly and efficient. Drinks can be pre ordered for the interval and the system works efficiently. Lovley little kiosk selling sweeties,popcorn etc and not at over inflated prices. A lovley Theatre which is gradually being refurbished sympathetically. Loads of Parking nearby. Would definitely go again.

I recently went to the Comedy Club which takes place in the bar area of the Victoria Theatre…read more Cannot fault the entertainment, however, our visit was during the freak heatwave in early October. The room was like an oventhere are no fans or air conditioning and the windows don't open. There were so many people in there, it was so so hot. The decor in the bar is vile. This is a beautiful theatre and to me, should be decorated in rich colours to show the Victorian splendour, not disgusting plain green colouranyway thats just my personal taste. It is worth a visit if there is a show on you fancygood little theatre.

I've been here a few times and it really is a great night out. Much improved now the smoking ban…read morehas come in as it could get a bit stuffy in there with all the customers smoking. The clientele is usually of the elderly variety but I've been quite a few times with my friends and we've all had a great time. Its pretty cheap as well for a night out; I haven't won anything yet but my friends have and its worth it even if you don't.

I attended the John Smith's Stadium for Manchester City's 0-0 draw with Huddersfield in the FA Cup…read more5th round, it has a record-breaking capacity of 24,139 on my visit, out of a full capacity of 25,000 which as I recall included over 3,000 City fans, with it just being a short trip down the M62 or half an hour on the train from Manchester. The stadium for sponsorship reasons is called the John Smith's Stadium, but when built in 1994 it was known as the Kirklees stadium, a reference to the stadium being in the Kirklees Council area, although owned by Huddersfield Town, Huddersfield Giants in a 40:40 share, with Kirklees Council owning 20%. The stadium is quite small and in a way it feels new, such as the cool arch shaped roof, but in other ways it feels so old, such as going into the ground from the outside and all the concourses being outside, which even older stadiums such as Anfield don't have, instead there are more inside concourses, which obviously makes the ground seem a little colder and it certainly doesn't make you feel like getting chips, pies and co when it is raining etc. The atmosphere at the stadium was average, there wasn't much to shout about from both sides, there were only 3 shots on target for Huddersfield and 5 for Manchester City with no goals from either side. The stewards around the stadium seemed helpful enough, although I was confused and annoyed to have the lid taken off my bottle which I frankly couldn't understand, they didn't search my bag but they found it more important to take the lid of my Iced tea bottle and even come over me and take it off me myself, hence I felt like a child in a school having their phone taken off them, annoyed, confused and untrusted. The stadium seats seemed quite old, and the wheelchair bays were unmarked and it did feel quite squashed at times, most areas of the stadium felt old, which is frustrating considering this stadium is from 1994, albeit it isn't the most modern and new of stadiums, there are much older ones that do a better job, as much as it pains me to say it, for some facilities Anfield, Old Trafford seem to do it better. There were often people standing and getting in the way, which was difficult and although the stewards did move them, when fans were coming in for the second half it did really obstruct the view of the goal, which was hard to see at most times anyway due to the location of my seat and the overall setup of the stadium The view is also quite poor with no raised platforms, which even Hull manage to do. Huddersfield as a Championship team, can't be expected to compete with the Premier League teams, but with the club standing third in the Championship, they still are fighting for promotion and as one of the Championships larger teams this year, they should be doing better but still this is cushioned by the fact they haven't been in the topflight since around the 1970's (Correct me if I'm wrong) The food situation here is alright, the chips were a huge portion, albeit I was angry that they didn't have any pepper which was also confusing and frustrating that they would run out with pepper. The stadium is also quite unusual, on one side it feels like you're in a hill, a forest and on another side, you can see houses and it feels like a town. Overall, this stadium just doesn't impress me and it is a good stadium for a lower division side, which Huddersfield were when it was built, but now with the features mentioned including the open corners, this just isn't a stadium suited to a Premier League team elect?, or even a high flying Championship team, so sadly deserves a single one star.

If an Ironsmith uses Iron and a Wordsmith uses Words, does a Johnsmith use Johns? But Johns use…read moreCall Girls, right? So then I don't get it. This stadium used to be known as the Galpharm Stadium, and I'd love to visit a Galpharm because there'd be a lot of Gals produced there obvs. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I was very impressed when the Galpharm first opened, and used to drive by on the M62 and be amazed. Being inside it - and I've only seen one live match here, in 2011 - was absolutely everything I always thought it would be. What a crowd, what a beautiful facility, and what a credit to the city and the team. It might even be the highlight of the whole city of Huddersfield. Definitely it took them to the next level and while they haven't been in the Prem yet, when they get there, the JSS means they'll be ready for it. I was lucky to go on a day when the stadium was nearly full. I have heard it is usually empty. I am hoping when they get to the Prem someday, it will be packed every single game. Definitely one of my fave non-Prem stadiums in the UK. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** It was originally the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, opened in 94 and capacity 24,500. It's one of the most distinctive stadiums in the world because of the steep arched roof on all sides of the ground. It's up in the hills, and right by the M62 motorway. Some top musicians have performed here including Bryan Adams, The Beautiful South, Blue, Bon Jovi, The Eagles, Elton John and R.E.M. Um.. Blue? It's now bright blue and looks absolutely gorgeous so it scores 5.

Eureka is the absolutely fabulous children's museum located in spitting distance (sorry vulgar I…read moreknow) of Halifax Railway Station. You can see it as you're pulling up. This museum is made for the benefit of children, and they seem to love it. It's brilliant, brightly coloured and interesting, oversized objects and displays, interactive stuff, so kids are actually encouraged to touch things and mess around with them without the peril of hearing their full name, and every other name being bellowed at them in rebuke. All this and it's educational. Kids love it when you take them here, just don't tell them it's a museum and you're golden, they think it's fun poking at stuff and colouring things in and understanding how stuff works, and the fact that they're learning relevant things and information, and they're enjoying that fact is awesome, which is why it's such a big hit with school groups. Discovering everything from the human body, to space, to being a young person in a green green world, to surviving in the desert, it's brilliant and the galleries are brightly coloured, informative and inviting without being scary. Eureka is wheelchair accessible too, which is a plus, and should the little blighters require bread and water, there's a cafe and a picnic area to eat a pack up or to buy food, which is alright, it's not briliant grub, but it'll fill a void, and then there's a playground area outside, which in fine weather is fab. The only thing I do take issue with is the price. and whilst I don't find it too hideous for adults to pay £8.95 for entry, charging kids from 3 plus the same price is a bit steep. They do offer a family ticket which admits 5 people for £38, but still, it works out expensive for a day out, and that's without paying for parking. Stinger. You can see now why lots of schools take advantage of the school rates for kids, but can you really put a price on education? Yes. But wait and hang fire a moment, with purchase of a ticket, you can go back to Eureka as many times as you want throughout the year free of charge, as long as you keep your ticket.

Lovely attraction for the family for great day out, fun friendly and plenty of activities.read more

We went to a Thomas event last weekend. I wouldn't recommend this in the cold as they have a bouncy…read morecastle which our daughter didn't want to get off so myself, hubby and the baby were stood freezing while she had a little bounce lol. The train ride was cold too but we all still enjoyed it, we didn;t get off at the other end though we stayed on to go back to the cafe for hot chocolate. The machine had run out so we ended up with warm milk. The staff were great and sorted the machine and gave us fresh cups. I was surprised they only charged a pound for it too because so many places now charge £3 for the same thing. We didn't try the food but it didn't smell or look very nice. They do have a lovely picnic area with a play park next to it so I would take a picnic if the weather is fine. It cost £8.50 for adults and £7.50 for over 2's. It was worth it because the children got a card each that let them do 6 other activities for free such as ride the miniture railway round the pond, get a free balloon, make badges and ride on Thomas himself (there were other things I just can't remember them off the top of my head right now).

This is a little steam railway near Huddersfield, which takes you on a 40-minute return journey…read morethrough the countryside. i have only been on 'Thomas the Tank Engine' special events, which have always been very well organised. You get a steam ride on one of the famous engines from Sodor, take part in the activities at the other side, then ride back for further activities (e.g. face painting, further train rides, balloons, etc.) The downside is the food in the cafe, which isn't great, but there are Thomas activities in the cafe, to keep the kids entertained.

I was recently introduced to this dance club by a friend and am delighted to say that it great fun…read more It is an evening of dancing and fun, starts at 7.30pm and goes on till 10.30pm., it is suitable for absolute beginners and the more experienced, within a few weeks you are able to get up and dance the evening away without being embarrassed or gauche. It is ceroc style dancing which is modern jive. Look at their website. It is the type of place a woman or man can come to on their own and not feel out of place as the group are very friendly and helpful. Three weeks out of the month everyone who attends go through lessons for the beginner moves these classes are normally taught by Dawn or Shirley who are long term members of the club (normally three steps) which combine to make a creditable appearance of dancing. Everyone go through a step as instructed then the ladies move one partner on, so you get a chance to dance with both beginners and the more experienced dancers, although if you go as a couple you can request at the beginning of the evening that you stay together as a couple. The lesson lasts about three quarters of an hour then, you get a chance to go through the moves you have learned. Later in the evening as a beginner you go downstairs to refress the steps you have learned while upstairs the more experienced dancers go through improver moves (more variation on the theme) in the main hall. The last hour maybe less you dance your little heart out. The first class is free to see if you like it and thereafter it is £6.00 for the evening. The etiquette of the evening is lady or gentleman may request a dance and unless there is a good reason it is a courtesy not to refuse. On the first week of the month it is termed a free style which means an evening of dancing. However if it is required they will do a beginner lesson mid way through the evening downstairs.

In my experience, Viaduct Theatre proved to be extremely unhelpful, providing poor customer service…read morewhen it comes to contacting them through email. They never replied to my queries. It makes me wonder why the Viaduct Theatre even has an email address when it seems to be left permanently unattended. Either that, or someone, or several somebodies, aren't doing their jobs properly.

This is a lovely little venue located at the bottom of Dean Clough Mill. The walls are undecorated…read moreand it really retains that original feeling of the mill. Its quite a small venue but all the seats have a great view of the stage and it feels very intimate and atmospheric. The shop within is also very nice and the Viaduct Cafe and Design House Restaurant are also next door offering meals at good prices. Northern Broadsides often visit here to tour Shakespeare plays and comedians also tour regularly so its worth keeping an eye on the local listings.

I may not be done with my history or at least industrial history but I'm always eager to learn new…read morethings. Maybe pole dancing excluded, although I am an open minded person so bring it on. Now the Piece Hall is a little nugget of history right on our doorsteps. Dating from 1779, the unique Grade 1 listed Piece Hall in the centre of Halifax is the sole survivor of the great 18th century northern cloth halls. What a stunning site it is too. It'd be worth a visit alone to find out about its history and have a look at it's expanse of pillars and brick but it is also home to many shops on the ground and first floor. You'll find clothes shops selling urban street and also second hand vintage. I like to loose myself to the big kid in me and explore the comic store. For gifts, try the Silver Shop and there is even a stamp place for all you budding collectors out there. Oh and don't get me started on the chocolate and sweet shops or else I may implode. For some double trouble of history and shopping it's an obvious choice.

Full of history and quirky shops, great for finding that unique gift for relatives and friends…read more Always something new to see.