Huddersfield to Manchester drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Huddersfield to Manchester by car is 30 miles, with a 50 minute driving time. The best stops along the Huddersfield to Manchester drive are Marsden Moor, the Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum and Heaton Park.
Finding things to do on the Huddersfield to Manchester drive
The drive from Huddersfield to Manchester crosses the Pennines, taking you from West Yorkshire to one of the world’s great football cities.
Top attractions in Huddersfield include Greenhead Park and Castle Hill. But it’s the access to the moors that provide Huddersfield’s main appeal.
Manchester is the de facto capital of northern England, with a strong cultural scene and proud industrial history.
The best ways of exploring Manchester are on a story-packed Rock and Goal walking tour, which pays particular attention to Manchester’s music scene and football heritage, or a river cruise.
Top Manchester experiences include the Manchester City stadium tour, treasure hunts, craft beer tours, Northern Quarter street art walks and cheese crawls.
Huddersfield to Manchester distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Huddersfield to Manchester is 30 miles. You can expect a driving time of at least 50 minutes. The quickest route goes up the A640, down the M62 and down the A56.
The best stops to add to a Huddersfield to Manchester road trip itinerary are Marsden Moor, the Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum and Heaton Park.
Best stops between Huddersfield and Manchester: Marsden Moor
The M62 crosses Marsden Moor, and there are several moody moorland walks available. The ten mile Standedge Circuit is the one for those want a vigorous workout, but the National Trust lists several alternatives.
If you just want a quick photo, however, pull over at the Buckstones car park on the A640. Sometimes known as Marsden View, you can see down to the Deanhead Reservoir from here.
Huddersfield to Manchester drive: Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum
The Ellenroad Engine House Steam Museum in Rochdale is home to the largest remaining steam mill engine. Once upon a time, such engines powered cotton factories across the north of England.
Normally, you can just pop in and admire the big engine, but on the first Sunday of every month, the biggest is put into motion. It looks cool, but it isn’t half noisy.
Huddersfield to Manchester road trip attractions: Heaton Park
In the northern Manchester suburb of Prestwich, Heaton Park is a great all-rounder. It has its own tramway museum, which offers tram rides, plus an animal centre. The latter is great for kids, who can meet alpacas and tortoises as well as the standard farmyard favourites.
Add bowling greens, an 18 hole golf course, a pitch and putt and rowing boats into the mix, and there’s enough to keep most families occupied.
More Huddersfield road trips
More Manchester road trips
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