Lily Harvey

Sport Exercise and Nutrition BSc(Hons)

My personal favourite way of discovering Huddersfield is to grab a coffee and get out on a walk. This is a productive use of time, as you are doing great things for your mental and physical health, discovering where does the best coffee and taking some time for yourself.

Moving three hours away from home in my first year of university was a completely new experience for me. It was fun, a little challenging at points, but as I have moved into my second year of studying Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, I feel completely settled in Huddersfield. 

When I first arrived, it was helpful to seek out those from the area or surrounding areas, for some general guidance on the basics: grocery and household shops, local walks, the train station etc. Although with a bit of research, these things can be easily located. There is no need to panic - settle into your term slowly and set small goals to discover your surroundings.

The University is located on the south east side of the town centre, so you simply cross the ring road and you are right in the heart of the town. As someone who struggles to find her way around my hometown (I’ve lived there for 17 years!), I have never got lost in Huddersfield, and smartphone maps are a great tool. I built up confidence to explore very quickly and love the freedom of being able to literally walk into the town centre, after living in a small village on the outskirts of Oxford. 

My personal favourite way of discovering Huddersfield is to grab a coffee and get out on a walk. This is a productive use of time, as you are doing great things for your mental and physical health, discovering where does the best coffee and taking some time for yourself, or to catch up with a friend.

The best part for me is that it’s free of charge. I often choose to walk alone with a podcast playing as this allows me time to think, although sometimes I will invite a friend and have a catch-up as it’s a great no-pressure activity to do with new friends. No matter where you are it’s always a good idea when walking alone to let someone know where you’re going and what time you’ll be due back. 

Through the trees style image of a park One of my many favourite views from within Greenhead Park

My favourite place to walk is Greenhead Park. There are always people around, it’s scenic and you can do a few mindless loops, without having to navigate or worry too much about safety, as there are no cars and plenty of families.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is also good for walking - you can continue for hours. If you’re looking for a bit of a hike, have a trek up Castle Hill. You can even take a picnic and overlook the whole of Huddersfield whilst enjoying your lunch.

Alternatively, I do enjoy a wonder around the town centre, people watching, and having a browse round the shops. If you’re a thrift shopper, there are some great charity shops in Huddersfield which I really enjoy browsing on the weekends. Going further afield, Ramsden reservoir is a beautiful walk in the countryside, about nine miles from Huddersfield.

point of view image of someone wearing running pink trainers in a pile of leaves

I recently visited the Piece Hall in Halifax- it’s very cute, with lots of independent, unusual stores and some nice places to eat and drink and the building is rich in history. It’s a nice activity to include on a Sunday.

I also love to get the train to Leeds and Manchester, with Manchester being a particular favourite. It’s a 40-minute train journey, with a London-type feeling whilst being a little cheaper and less crammed. There is loads to explore, but I love all the quirky bars and restaurants most and it’s definitely to put on the to-do list with a group of mates. You can get trains and buses to both places and both the stations are easy to walk to. As someone who is learning to drive, the travel links make Huddersfield a versatile location. Uber also works in Huddersfield, which is peace of mind for times you might get caught out.

In terms of food and drink, the best place for a hot drink in Huddersfield is definitely The Northern Teahouse. It has have a fantastic range of luxury coffees, hot chocolates and teas and the décor is rustic and homely. I will always suggest here as a meeting spot with my friends. There are some nice bars in the town centre for a few drinks, with chains like Slug & Lettuce and independent bars like Bar Maroc and The Parish which do some great cocktails. 

Coffee drink in a wide mug topped with caramel drizzle

Finally, the great thing about Huddersfield is the combination of it being a town, with big cities, as well as countryside all on your doorstep. It really is the best of both worlds. As I mentioned, I come from a small village in Oxfordshire and the step up to moving to Huddersfield has been fun, without feeling overwhelming. I can go out for the night and see a bunch of students I know, which brings a safe community feeling, whilst still giving freedom to go out and enjoy myself. It is easy to find calmness within the town, without tediousness. 

Moving away from home can be daunting, but with the right attitude and tools, you’ll soon settle into your new home. My advice as a chronic worrier would be to just be patient, don’t expect it to happen overnight, and ride out feelings of unfamiliarity. I promise you it’ll all come together with time, and Huddersfield will feel like home. 

Greenhead park pond

Which University?

If you're still unsure which university to choose then there are more articles by students about how they chose their course and university.

Student Life

Discover more blogs and article that revolve around the student experience in Huddersfield