Hebden Bridge Picture House

Hebden Bridge Picture House is something rather special. At the very heart of village culture, it seats almost 500 people yet retains its charming personality - serving homemade cakes and hot drinks in china mugs. Don't worry if arthouse cinema isn't your thing as the cinema also shows mainstream releases. As well as cinema, the picture house hosts a variety of events each year, including live theatre and the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

Literary inspirations

This handsome little village is awash with creativity - from the artists and musicians hard at work in their studios to the Arts and Music Festival held every year. The town also has a number of famous literary 'residents', including Sylvia Plath whose grave can be found on a medieval settlement in the hills above the town, and former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes whose birthplace can be found in the nearby village of Mytholmroyd

Charming countryside

Hebden Bridge's cobbled lanes quickly give way to glorious Yorkshire countryside. The nearby Hardcastle Crags, owned by the National Trust, are a must-visit - boasting a beautiful wooded valley complete with tumbling streams and a carpet of bluebells in the spring. Hebden Bridge is also Britain's first official 'Walkers are Welcome' town, with three easy to follow trails signposted from the town centre.

Step back in time

The cobbled lanes of Hepstonstall, a weavers' village high up on the hills above Hebden Bridge, have remained unchanged for around 200 years. With just two pubs "The Cross" and "The White Lion", a small post office and very pleasant café offering lunches and teas, this tiny village is popular with walkers and is regarded as one of Yorkshire's best kept secrets. Heptonstall churchyard must be one of the most fascinating in the country, containing two charming churches and reportedly the remains of over 100,000 people, with many bodies buried in the same graves.

Arts and Crafts

Hebden Bridge Arts Festival is held every summer, bringing the best national and international artists and performers to the area for a celebration of comedy, music, dance, literature and visual arts. Aside from this, the village is a thriving hub of creativity all year round, brimming with independent book and craft shops, and charming little galleries including  Artsmill which shows work from both international and local artists in a bright, airy gallery space. Or, if jewellery and knickknacks are more your bag, visit the Heart Gallery to peruse bespoke jewellery pieces, textiles and stationery - the perfect place to pick up a souvenir.

Canals and cruises

The Rochdale Canal winds its way through Hebden Bridge, bringing with it plenty of colourful canal boats and providing a peaceful towpath that's perfect for picnics. If you'd like to cruise the canal in style then make your way to Hebden Bridge Cruises, idyllically positioned in the Upper Calder Valley. They offer regular 30 minute scenic cruises, as well as dining cruises such as Sunday Roast and afternoon tea themed. Bronte Boats also have luxurious narrow boats available to hire for short of long canal breaks in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire's finest fettle

St George's Square in the centre of Hebden Bridge is crammed with organic and vegetarian cafés, cosy pubs serving real Yorkshire ale and tempting delicatessens.

If you're in search of a caffeine hit then head to Market Street for some cosy coffee houses - the perfect way to perk up your morning! Or, if fine dining's what you're after, head to Kittie's Restaurant (also on Market Square) or the Organic House Café for a superb selection of organic and vegetarian food.

Scramble at Hardcastle Crags

This beautiful valley is the perfect woodland playground, with plenty of streams, mud and places to scramble. The National Trust run guided walks and tours throughout the year, or just turn up and enjoy the scenery to your heart's content.

Cruise the canal

Hebden Bridge Cruises provide scenic, family-friendly cruises down the canal, including speciality kids cruises and Pirate Parties. Discover Yorkshire's fascinating wildlife at a leisurely pace and experience a life on the ocean wave - or at least on the gently flowing Rochdale Canal! Life jackets are provided, just remember to wrap up warm and bring a bag of bread to feed the ducks.

Hepstonstall Museum

Hepstonstall Museum is a small community museum, exploring the changing importance of the village of Hepstonstall and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to present day. This includes an exhibition dedicated to the Cragg Valley Coiners, who produced counterfeit currency and even committed murders to conceal their trade.

Independent heaven

Thanks to its overwhelming population of artists, writers and other fascinating people, Hebden Bridge's vibrant streets are overflowing with independent book and craft shops and inspiring galleries - including Artsmill gallery, showing work from both international and local artists in a bright, airy gallery space. If jewellery and textiles are your style, visit the Heart Gallery to peruse bespoke jewellery pieces, textiles and stationery - the perfect place to pick up a present for you or a loved one. As a shop in a town known for its thriving artistic community, Spirals continue this proud tradition by stocking lots of work by local artists, from small craft items to designer jewellery, paintings and prints.

Crafts galore

Other great independents in Hebden Bridge include The Snug Gallery, which is a leading contemporary craft gallery in the north of England. Showcasing contemporary craft and design by some of the most prominent designer-makers from the UK and Ireland alongside a selection of photography and lovely things and Radiance which is a glowing lighting and craft boutique.

Lovely shoes and sparkly jewellery

There is also Rubyshoeday which has built a reputation for delivering a unique and inspiring footwear range and also Element Jewellery which blends the aesthetic of a contemporary jewellery gallery with the customer focus of a boutique with great personal service.