Country pubs, scenic hikes and quaint markets make the perfect day out for some – but that will not satisfy the more eccentric among us.
If you are looking for a day trip with a twist, less than an hour outside of Oldham, Todmorden might be the answer.
On the surface, this town in West Yorkshire is just as quaint as its Calderdale neighbours, such as Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge.
It has winding streets of independent shops and pubs, with access to some picturesque countryside and a ‘secret beach’ at the nearby Gaddings Dam.
Unlike its neighbours, however, it has a reputation for something very sinister.
UFO hotspot
In 1980, the body of a 56-year-old miner, Zigmund Adamski, was discovered atop a 10-foot pile of coal in Todmorden.
The investigating police officer Alan Godfrey noted several unusual things about the body at the time.
For example, his clothes were clean, despite the pile of coal, almost as if he had been placed there from above.
He had strange burn marks on his head, shoulders and neck, which appeared to have been treated by an ointment, according to the coroner’s report.
Several months later, Godfrey was looking into the disappearance of cattle from a local farm he claims to have witnessed one of the country’s most famous cases of a UFO sighting.
There have been several more incidents over the years, earning the town its reputation as a UFO hotspot.
Attractions
If your visit to Todmorden does not involve a close encounter of the third kind, there is another place where you might be able to get your spooky fix.
Todmorden has its own Folklore Centre, which welcomes visitors with a programme of talks and workshops on everything from archaeology to witchcraft.
Another place to check out is the famous lucky dog statue in the town’s Central Vale Park. Patting the dog’s head is said to bring good luck – as demonstrated in Derren Brown’s TV show ‘Experiments’.
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The town also has a beautiful Grade I-listed town hall, which is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary and market hall
If you’re looking to tour the town, but do it with a twist, you can get in touch with Incredible Edible.
It is a community interest company run by volunteers that grows fruit, herbs and vegetables to share around the town. They also run 90-minute walking tours, in which you ‘nibble’ your way around the town.
Food and drink
Speaking of nibbling, Todmorden has also developed into a foodie town over the last few years.
However, my favourite spot in Todmorden is the Golden Lion pub and it's definitely the place you need to end up if you’re looking for a quirky end to your alternative day out in the town.
Firstly, it’s where the local UFO Society meets. Secondly, it has a cracking kitchen that serves up authentic Thai food.
But I go there for the music. From late-night DJ sets to jazz, anything goes there.
To give you a sense of the place – the last time I visited was to watch my brother’s Ukrainian folk-rock band play a gig. Despite there only being a handful of us Ukrainians in the crowd, the whole pub was on their feet enjoying the night.
This just proves that everyone from all walks of life – and planets – are welcome in Todmorden/
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