Traditional Saddleworth architecture has a definite character which typifies the area. Earlier buildings used gritstone for the walls and flagstones for the roof. With the building of the Huddersfield narrow Canal in the mid-19th century, large amounts of slate became available and building styles changed to incorporate this much cheaper material.

Saddleworth homes often doubled up as textile workplaces and the area contains many examples of weavers’ cottages. Workrooms were generally on the top floor, skylighted by long mullioned windows to let in as much light as possible.

The mid to late 20th century saw some construction which was not in keeping with the character of the area. Nowadays, new developments are usually completed in stone, some drawing on the vernacular architecture in their details.