On a clear day, there's no better spot to appreciate the town of Halifax than from the top of Beacon Hill. On August 11, 2018, I took my Nikon D3300 up there to capture the incredible views, and what I found was a town that perfectly blends its rich industrial past with its vibrant, modern present.
A Tale of Two Halves
From this vantage point, you can see Halifax spread out below, a tapestry of old stone buildings and new architectural additions. Looking towards the town centre, the iconic spire of Square Church stands tall, a reminder of the town's Victorian heritage. Nearby, the dramatic, elliptical courtyard of the Piece Hall is instantly recognizable. This former cloth hall, now a stunning public square, sits next to the modern Central Library and the Industrial Museum, illustrating how the town honours its history while embracing the future.
Just a short distance away, the impressive headquarters of the Halifax Bank, a landmark in its own right, shows the town's long-standing connection to finance. As you scan the horizon, you'll also see the sprawling complex of Dean Clough Mills, once a massive carpet factory and now a hub for arts, business, and innovation.
Past and Present, Side by Side
Halifax is a town of contrasts. Down below, you can spot the lively Broad Street Plaza and the modern flats that sit alongside older, traditional neighbourhoods. Even the Eureka! Museum, a glass-fronted building designed for children, is right next to the historic Halifax Railway Station, with its beautiful stonework and classic architecture. The North Bridge, a key piece of the town's infrastructure, effortlessly connects these different eras, spanning the valley with a graceful curve.
But the views aren't just about the town itself. From the Beacon, you can see far across the Calder Valley. The path that winds down the hillside reveals a rolling landscape of green fields and distant hills, a reminder of the beautiful countryside that surrounds Halifax. The very top of the hill is home to the Beacon itself, a striking metal structure with a path and a bench nearby—the perfect place to sit, breathe, and take it all in.
Standing up there, looking out over the landscape, it’s clear that Halifax is a place where history and modernity live in harmony. It’s a town proud of where it's come from and excited about where it's going.
Clicking any of the pictures below should open a link in another window to My Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!
All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.
