About Marsden in West Yorkshire

Marsden is a town in West Yorkshire, England, on the River Colne. It is in the metropolitan borough of Kirklees and the civil parish of Marsden. The town is notable for its millstone gritstone buildings, its annual rushbearing ceremony and its heritage railway station.

The town's name is derived from the Old English for "boundary stone". Marsden was historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. It was on the route of the Roman road from Manchester to York, and there is evidence of Roman settlement in the area.

The town grew up around the woollen industry, and in the 19th century it was a major centre for the manufacture of shoddy, a type of recycled wool fabric. The town's population peaked in the early 20th century, but declined thereafter as the industry declined.

Today, Marsden is a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to see its historic buildings and to walk or cycle in the surrounding countryside. The town is also home to a number of independent shops and businesses, as well as a weekly market.