Hebden Bridge Travel Guide – Visit Hebden Bridge – Budget Travel In England

Visit Hebden Bridge, a small market town in West Yorkshire, to experience a town that has become home to many creative types, new-agers and green activists, and a sizable lesbian community.

Hebden Bridge prides itself on its individuality and independent nature. Its residents fight to keep the town free from chain stores and franchise takeaways. They protested, successfully, against a supermarket opening in the area and when the local cinema was threatened with closure, they formed a co-operative to keep it open. It has a wonderful spirit that is evident from the second you arrive. Hand-made posters adorn lamp posts telling visitors to ‘smile’, ‘believe in yourself’ and that ‘you are beautiful’. It’s a hippy heaven!

Hebden Bridge has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination. This is an issue of contention for residents who battle to find a balance between keeping the town’s individuality and increasing tourism, which is its main economic factor.

Housing is scarce in Hebden Bridge and property prices have increased massively in the last 20 years. Potential sites for new houses have caused controversy among locals who want the town to stay as it is.

How To Get To Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge is reachable by train. Regular trains depart from Leeds Station and the train takes approximately 40 minutes. The train drops you on the other side of the River Calder and it is a short walk into the town centre. Cross the bridge and turn left and follow the road into the town.

You’ll know you’ve arrived as there is usually stuff like this happening.

Where To Stay In Hebden Bridge

As Hebden Bridge is a small town, there is limited accommodation and it can be quite pricey.

These are some of the best places to stay around Hebden Bridge, according to user reviews. These are affiliate links to the Agoda web site. I receive a small amount for any bookings made through these links at no extra cost to you.

• White Lion
• The Cross Inn
• Croft Mill
• Gibraltar Farm Cottage
• Horsehold Cottage
• Hebden Royd House Hebden Bridge
• 4 Bedroom central Hebden Bridge house sleeps 8 

The Old Dairy

On my first visit to Hebdon Bridge, I stayed in the village of Heptonstall which is high above Hebdon Bridge. It’s a steep climb to the property.

We stayed in a converted barn called ‘The Old Dairy’ that we booked on AirBnB. It was a lovely little self-contained property with great views. We were very sad to leave, as shown in this picture.

Private Room

The second time I visited Hebden Bridge was in a private room in someone’s house, once again booked through AirBnB. ‘The Old Dairy’ was fully booked and I wasn’t really as excited about staying in someone else’s house. It turned out to be fine. Our host was lovely and she made us a very nice, healthy breakfast. We stayed just the one night and were out of the house most of the time. If you have no problem staying in someone’s house when they are present, check out airbnb.

Mama Weirdigan’s

For my third stay, me and a friend booked a room at ‘Hebden Bridge eco-Hostel’ (map), otherwise known as ‘Mama Weirdigan’s’. I had tried to stay here before but it is not open all year round.

The hostel is set on a wooded hillside and adjoined to a former Baptist Chapel. Once you reach this building, take the path around the right hand side and this will lead you to the hostel.

We booked beds in a bunk room but we were the only people staying there so we had the room to ourselves. The hostel was fantastic. Friendly staff checked us in and then gave us the guided tour.

There is a communal kitchen, dining room and lounge with all the amenities you will need.

It’s a short walk from the centre of town but is quite secluded. We had a fantastic stay here and I would definitely return. For more information, visit the web site.

Food And Drink In Hebden Bridge

Aye Sophia

Greek and Mediterranean food in a restaurant with a lively atmosphere, located in the heart of Hebden Bridge. Not quite as good as the nearby ‘Olive Tree’ but if you can’t get a table there, this is a decent alternative. Map.

Calan’s Micropub

Micropub selling a wide range of craft beers. Great, helpful staff and occasional music in the yard. It’s a great place to have a drink in the summer time. Best drink in Hebden Bridge. Map.

Crown Fisheries & Restaurant

The only fish and chip takeaway and restaurant in the town. I’ve visited the takeaway twice and they were always fresh and served piping hot. Fish, chips and a side for just over £5 is a good price too. Being the only fish and chip shop in town, they could take advantage and charge more. That’s not the Hebden Bridge way. Map.

Hare And Hounds Inn

A traditional pub and restaurant with rooms available. It is quite far from Hebden Bridge; we needed to take a bus to get here. We visited as there was a psychedelic Halloween event. The pub was friendly and the music was wonderfully strange. Could have done without a drunken woman spilling a full pint on us though. Map.

Muse Music And Love Cafe

Both a music shop selling specialist vinyl and CDs, and a coffee shop serving excellent coffee and cake. Friendly staff and great music, we enjoyed a coffee and cake here after a long day walking around Hardcastle Crags. Map.

Old Gate

Popular pub with locals and tourists. I’ve always given this one a miss during busy periods as it had a bit of a Wetherspoons vibe with ‘lads’ in football shirts ruining the quaint atmosphere of the town. However, on my third visit, the only tourists were people going to a gig at the Trades Club so the clientele was much friendlier. They had Tiny Rebel beer on tap which was a great surprise. I had under-estimated this place. They actually have decent beer! Map.

Olive Branch

Wonderful, intimate Turkish restaurant serving Turkish grills, pizzas and mezes. They managed to squeeze us in before the party that had reserved our table arrived. It is recommended to book in advance as this place is very popular. Map.

Rim Nam Thai Restaurant

I came here with a friend before a gig at the Trades Club. This was a matter of weeks before I set off for a year long travel in South East Asia, starting in Thailand. The restaurant is very impressive, offering views of the canal through the huge arched windows. The staff are, in true Thai style, super-friendly.

For starters, I had the Thai fishcakes. They were a little rubbery but came with a wonderful sweet chili and peanut dip.

For my main course, I had Beef Massaman curry. This was much better. A lightly spiced sauce with delicious, tender pieces of beef.

We had the set menu for £35 which included a selection of starters, two meals, rice and tea or coffee. It was great value and was a nice taster for what I would be eating for the next year! Map.

Shoulder Of Mutton Inn

Located in the main square, the ‘Shoulder of Mutton’ (map) is a busy, friendly pub with outdoor seating. In the summer, it’s a great place to sit and enjoy the many street entertainers and protests. The food is decent here too. I enjoyed a Sunday dinner after spending the day walking around the Hardcastle Crags.

Square One Coffee Co.

After a fantastic night out at The Trades, we woke up with heavy heads. The only possible remedy to this was strong coffee and a full English breakfast. ‘Square One Coffee Co.’ (map) provided both. The cafe was full so we had to sit outside but it was a nice day so this was no problem. The coffee was good but the breakfast was excellent. Using all locally sourced ingredients, everything was cooked to perfection.

Towngate Tearoom & Bistro

Located in Heptonstall, ‘Towngate Tearoom & Bistro’ (map) was minutes away from our airbnb so we visited it a couple of times, enjoying a good English breakfast made from locally sourced produce. It’s a little more expensive than other cafes in the area but the quality made up for it.

White Swan

Traditional pub with a good selection of beers located right in the centre of Hebden Bridge. Friendly staff and locals. We came here for some live music as part of a local folk festival. Don’t bother with the food. Map.

Things To Do In Hebden Bridge

Canal Walk

Take a walk along the canal, or even take a boat ride.

There are cafes and some shops to enjoy and you can take a glimpse into the lives of locals who live by the canals.

The Bicycle Den is a great cafe-cum-bike shop with lots of great initiatives such as ‘toilet twinning’ and supporting Palestine by selling products made by Palestinians.

Finish the walk with a relaxing break in ‘Cader Holmes Park’ (map).

Hardcastle Crags

Hardcastle Crags is a stunning woodland valley two miles north of Hebden Bridge. Deep ravines, streams and waterfalls and over 25 miles of footpaths make it a must visit for any hiker. The Crags can be accessed from Heptonstall or by following the A6033 out of Hebden Bridge. It is a very scenic walk with some fantastic views.

Along the way, be sure to call in at ‘Midgehole Working Men’s Club (aka The Blue Pig)’ (map). It’s a great pub with super-cheap beer. The owner was really friendly and played some great music. We enjoyed a couple of pints next to the river. Highly recommended.

It’s not always clear which way to go.

The views from the top of the Crags are stunning.

Hebden Bridge Antiques Centre

Located in the old police station, ‘Hebden Bridge Antiques Centre’ (map) has a great selection of antiques and curios. Upstairs is a record shop selling old vinyl at fantastic prices. If you are a vinyl enthusiast, do not miss this place.

Market

Small market in the main square with some food stalls selling local produce, Mediterranean and Indian food. Friendly traders and good prices. Very good onion bhajis!

Heptonstall

Heptonstall is a small village that overlooks Hebden Bridge. There are two pubs, a tearoom, two churches, a school, a museum and not much else. It is, however, a beautiful village to walk around and is one of Yorkshire’s most historic villages. Many walks through the stunning Hardcastle Crags can be accessed from Heptonstall.

Unusually, Heptonstall has a graveyard in which two churches stand. The ruins of the ‘Church of St Thomas a’ Becket’ (map) are open to the public to explore free of charge. The church was built in 1260. In 1847, a huge storm destroyed part of the church but it remained in use for another seven years.

In 1854, the ‘new’ church, ‘St Thomas The Apostle’ (map) was built. Look out for the grave of Sylvia Plath.

Close to the churches is the ‘Heptonstall Museum’ (map). It’s not always open and it is only small but it is free admission and the man who was looking after it was super friendly.

Shopping In Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge is filled with independent shops. There are a lot of new-age, hippy shops selling incense, clothes, crystals and books about talking to trees and the like. Take a walk up and down Market Street and be sure you venture off the main road. There are some hidden delights to be found.

Trades Club

‘Trades Club’ (map) is a fantastic venue with live music most nights and other events. The bar is open daily and you can eat excellent Indonesian food here for very reasonable prices.

I finally got to see a gig here when Gruff Rhys, ex-singer with the Super Furry Animals, came to town. The venue is intimate meaning you always get a good view.

Gruff had a warm welcome to his fans.

It was a wonderful, intimate show and because the venue is so chilled out, I even managed to get to say hello to him after the gig had finished and he was packing away.

Is Hebden Bridge Worth Visiting?

Hebden Bridge is a charming town that I fell in love with almost immediately. You know what you’re going to get when you enter a town and see hand-written signs with positive messages. It’s one of the few towns in England that has said no to the big corporate franchises. No McD’s or Starbucks here. I hope it remains this way.

I would advise to spend a night here. There are many fantastic gigs at the Trades Club so you could have a great night out and spend the next day exploring the town. Alternatively, visit when it is dry weather and enjoy hiking around the beautiful Hardcastle Crags.

The main thing is to just visit. Wander around the town and enjoy its many independent businesses. I promise you will, like me, fall in love with Hebden Bridge.