What To Know, Do & See When Visiting Hebden Bridge

Named by British Airway's High Life magazine as "one of the world's funkiest towns" and winner of the Best Small Market Town at the Great British High Street Awards in 2016, Hebden Bridge is a small market town that packs a punch. With only 4,500 inhabitants, it may seem hard to understand how the West Yorkshire market town located in the Calder Valley gained its reputation for funkiness. But there's a lot more than meets the eyes. Hebden Bridge offers a lot to do and see despite its small population. So, let's find out what to explore in this place that prides itself on its progressive LGBT-friendly and anti chains and corporation attitude. 

Rochdale Canal

Completed in 1804, the Rochdale Canal stretches through the Pennines east of Hebden Bridge. Follow the towpath along the canal to enjoy the view of Calder Valley's stunning industrial architecture, such as mills and warehouses in town. If you are up for a challenge, the elevation through the Pennines counts more than 90 locks. 

Calder Holmes Park

Linked to the Rochdale Canal towpath, Calder Holmes Park hosts a skateboard park, playground area, and an outdoor gym close to Hebden Bridge town centre. The park also hosts a variety of events all year long, including the Handmade Parade. 

Gibson Mill

The historic Gibson Mill is a 19th-century Industrial Revolution cotton mill rescued by the National Trust in 1950. Located within Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge, Gibson Mill is a completely self-sufficient, off-the-grid establishment that generates its own energy and secures its water supply directly from the local natural spring. It's now home to the Weaving Shed Cafe and can be hired as a wedding venue too. 

Hardcastle Crags

Close to Hebden Bridge lies National Trust Hardcastle Crags, home to over 400 acres of unspoilt woodland in the South Pennines. Visitors can enjoy over 15 miles of footpaths suited for all walking and hiking levels, from casual walks along the riverside path to demanding hiking track to the top of the valley. 

Pennine Way

A Pennine town in the heart of West Yorkshire, Hebden Bridge gives visitors easy access to the Pennine Way that crosses the town. The trail is 268 long, but you can choose to walk only a part of the Pennine Way from Hebden Bridge towards Kirk Yetholm in Scotland or towards Edale. 

Stoodley Pike

Stoodley Pike is located roughly 4 miles south of Hebden Bridge and accessible via the Hebden Bridge Loop on the Pennine Way. The obelisk at the summit marks the end of the Crimean War in 1856. 

Jumble Hole Clough

A former industrial area with hulking mills, Jumble Hole Clough is home to a gorgeous trail through the wooden valley around Hebden Bridge. Discover the remains of the mills and residences that once stood along the flowing stream of the River Calder. 

Hebden Bridge Loop

The Hebden Bridge Loop acts as a passage between Hebden Bridge and the ancient village of Heptonstall. The loop is an accessible path, approximately 6 km long, and offers breathtaking vista points of the canal, the valley, and the upland pastures. 

Heptonstall village

Accessible with the Hebden Bridge Loop, Heptonstall is home to the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, which hosts the grave of poet Sylvia Plath. The village also counts a pub and a tea room to accommodate visitors and a museum of Heptonstall life throughout the centuries. 

Hebden Bridge Cruises

If towpaths and trails aren't for you, you may be tempted by a boat trip on the Rochdale Canal to enjoy the Yorkshire Pennine Hills scenery and the Calder Valley sights. Hebden Bridge Cruises offers different cruises onboard Gracie, a traditional narrowboat including tea cruises with a pot of Yorkshire Tea and homemade scones and an evening dining cruise with a meal cooked by the Stubbing Wharf Pub chefs. 

Town Centre Trail

Visitors arriving in Hebden Bridge can learn more about its history by following the Town Centre Trail, which takes them to noteworthy stop points in town. The 1.2km walk is available from the local visitor centre with a booklet and photos as a souvenir. 

The Trades Club

Originally built in 1924, the Trades Club was set up by different trade unions. Today, the socialist members cooperative has become one of the most sought after places for live music events and a nationally recognised venue. 

Hebden Bridge shopping

Rediscover the joy of independent shops. Hebden Bridge hosts a strong and vibrant independent community, including the only authentic Afghan rug shops outside Afghanistan. 

Hebden Bridge open market

Hebden Bridge is also home to one of Britain's Best Small Open Markets, held every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a range of organic products, fair-trade and sustainable arts, crafts, and essentials. 

Stubbing Wharf Pub

Directly by the Rochdale Canal, the Stubbing Wharf Pub is close to Hebden Bridge town centre. Founded in 1810 to cater for canal and road travellers, the pub is said to have welcomed Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath in the late 1950s.

Where to stay in Hebden Bridge

Hebden Townhouse B&B

Enjoy a continental breakfast overlooking the cobbled marina each morning in this beautiful bed and breakfast right in the middle of town.

The White Lion

This traditional old coaching inn is in the centre of town on the river, inside the oldest building in the area which dates back to 1657. Stay in a boutique guest room with a roll top bath and sleigh bed, or opt for a cosy getaway in one of the courtyard cottages.

This brief overview of Hebden Bridge's many charms should give you plenty of inspiration to plan your trip. This really is a town that welcomes creative minds, enthusiastic walkers and hikers, and everyone else in between. What will you visit first? Let us know on Insta or tweet us @justhooit, and don’t forget to check out how to make an offer on a hotel room with hoo for a bargain on your next stay, wherever it is.