Hebden Bridge is a vibrant little town, surrounded by steep valley sides and heather clad moorland, in West Yorkshire's South Pennines.
500 years ago a bridge was built to span the fast flowing and turbulent, 'Hebden Water', with three sturdy arches it still stands today, it gave name to the place that grew around it, now a thriving mix of stylish bars and boutiques, cosy tea shops and inspired crafty shops. It is a delightful place to stroll and browse, there are cafes galore, St George's Square with its eclectic mix of people, a number of traditional pubs, a few trendy wine bars, plenty of places to eat, live music venus, a theatre and a 1920s Cinema. The Rochdale canal with its narrowboats, towpath, locks and marina brings visitors at a more leisurly pace than the railway which despite the old-fashined feel of the station has regular services to Leeds and Manchester.
Looking around, perched high on the steep valley sides you will see the unique over-and-under stone terraces built to house textile workers, these days cosy cottages, the textile mills complete with chimmneys now converted into loft apartments, and fine Victorian buildings including the community owned Town Hall, newly refurbished and set to become the 'creative quarter' of Hebden Bridge.
But the real scene-stealer is the countryside, old fashioned farms with patch-work drystone walls, ancient woodlands, valleys with tumbling streams - surrounded as far as the eye can see by rolling heather moorland. The network of footpaths, bridleways and ancient packhorse trails makes this a paradise for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. So much so that we celebrate with a Walk and Ride Festival every year and Hebden Bridge has made itself the very first 'Walkers are Welcome Town'.
The Pennine Way, Pennine Bridleway, Calderdale Way all pass nearby but there are so many footpaths you will never be short of routes to follow, according to 'Walk Magazine', Hebden Bridge has the most concentrated network of footpaths in the entire country, so bring your boots, we can supply the maps.
Useful websites
The Hebweb - The Uk's first & the best community website - all the local info you could possibly need
Pennine Prospects - Hebden Bridge based organisation working to promote the South Pennines
SPLAT Training
One
day or half day guided walks for fun or you can learn hill skills or navigation
while out in the beautiful Pennine countryside
|
