Wander the creative, bohemian streets of Hebden Bridge, and you can feel the influence of the writers and artists who flocked to the town around the 70s and 80s.
Discover Hebden Bridge
The pretty town is centrally located at the West of West Yorkshire, in between Halifax and Todmorden, making it popular with people who work between Manchester and Leeds.
From artisan shops and inspiring galleries to organic pavement cafés and charming picture houses, and great places to eat, the town is justifiably proud of its artistic identity. Just a few minutes away you will find pretty wooded valleys and picturesque heather moorland.
Hebden Bridge Disability Access Forum (HBDAF) has published a map of accessible routes around Hebden Bridge Centre, showing wheelchair friendly pavements, accessible toilets, bus stops and parking spaces and you can view this map here.
Hebden Bridge Accommodation
Open any of the places to stay, above, to find out more information and get all the details you need to make a booking and arrange a stay in the fantastic town of Hebden Bridge.
Drill Down for Detail
Learn more about the accommodation options in Hebden Bridge:
Latest News & Information
Browse news, information, walks and more information about things happening in and around Hebden Bridge.
Food & Drink in Hebden Bridge
Planning a meal out? Wondering where to eat? There’s a terrific range of options in the area. Hebden Bridge is crammed with cafés, restaurants, tempting delicatessens, cosy pubs serving real Yorkshire ale and local breweries creating it!
About Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge is a market town in the Upper Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. It is 8 miles west of Halifax and 14 miles north-east of Rochdale, at the confluence of the River Calder and the Hebden Water.
The town is the largest settlement in the civil parish of Hebden Royd.
History of Hebden Bridge
The original settlement was the hilltop village of Heptonstall.
Hebden Bridge (Heptenbryge) started as a settlement where the Halifax to Burnley packhorse route dropped into the valley and crossed the River Hebden where the old bridge (from which it gets its name) stands.
The name Hebden comes from the Anglo-Saxon Heopa Denu, ‘Bramble (or possibly Wild Rose) Valley’.
Steep hills with fast-flowing streams and access to major wool markets meant that Hebden Bridge was ideal for water-powered weaving mills and the town developed during the 19th and 20th centuries; at one time Hebden was known as “Trouser Town” because of the large amount of clothing manufacturing.
Watercolour artist Thomas Frederick Worrall, who lived in nearby Pecket Well, depicted the mills in around 1900.
Drainage of the marshland, which covered much of the Upper Calder Valley before the Industrial Revolution, enabled construction of the road which runs through the valley.
Before it was built, travel was only possible via the ancient packhorse route which ran along the hilltop, dropping into the valleys wherever necessary.
The wool trade was served by the Rochdale Canal (running from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester) and the Manchester & Leeds Railway (later the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway) (running from Leeds to Manchester and Burnley).
Hebden Bridge also grew to include a Picture House (seating 500) and offices for Hebden Bridge Urban District Council.
Hebden Bridge has no swimming pool, although for some years there was a small training pool for children in the adult education centre on Pitt Street.
Hebden Bridge had its own cooperative society but during the 1960s, it was defrauded and went bankrupt. The old Co-op building became a hotel and was later converted into flats. The Co-op returned in the 1980s with a supermarket on Market Street, on the site of an old mill.
During the Second World War Hebden Bridge was designated a “reception area” and took in evacuees from industrial cities.
During the 1970s and 1980s the town saw an influx of artists, writers, photographers, musicians, alternative practitioners, teachers, Green and New Age activists and more recently, wealthier ‘yuppie’ types. This in turn saw a boom in tourism to the area.
During the 1990s Hebden Bridge became a dormitory town, due to its proximity to major towns and cities both sides of the Pennines and its excellent rail links to Manchester, Bradford and Leeds.
On 6 July 2003, Hebden Bridge was granted Fairtrade Zone status. On 6 July 2014, Stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France, from York to Sheffield, passed through the town.
Hebden Bridge on the map
Hebden Bridge Fact Pack
- Hebden Bridge is a market town located in the Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, England.
- The town has a population of around 4,500 people.
- Hebden Bridge was named the fourth funkiest town in the world by British Airways in 2005.
- The town is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with several galleries and performance spaces.
- Hebden Bridge has a rich history, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Bronze Age.
- The town played an important role in the Industrial Revolution and was a center for textile manufacturing.
- Hebden Bridge is situated on the Rochdale Canal and the River Calder.
- The town has several historic buildings, including the Hebden Bridge Town Hall and St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
- Hebden Bridge is surrounded by beautiful countryside, including the Pennine hills and the Calderdale Way.
- The town is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, with several walking and cycling trails in the surrounding area.
- Hebden Bridge has a range of independent shops and boutiques, including bookstores, antique shops, and craft stores.
- The town has several pubs and bars, including the famous Trades Club, which has hosted several famous musicians and bands.
- Hebden Bridge has a range of restaurants and cafes, serving everything from traditional British food to international cuisine.
- The town hosts several events and festivals throughout the year, including the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival and the Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend.
- Hebden Bridge is home to several excellent schools, including Hebden Royd CofE Primary School and Calder High School.
- The town has a strong community spirit, with several active community groups and organizations.
- Hebden Bridge has a range of affordable housing options, including council houses and private rental properties.
- The town has several parks and green spaces, including Calder Holmes Park and Hebden Bridge Park.
- Hebden Bridge has a range of sports facilities, including a sports center and a cricket ground.
- The town is well-connected by road and rail, with excellent transport links to nearby towns and cities.
- Hebden Bridge is a popular location for film and television productions, with several films and TV shows having been shot in the area.
- The town has a range of health and wellness facilities, including several yoga studios and holistic health centers.
- Hebden Bridge has a reputation as a center for alternative and eco-friendly lifestyles.
- The town is home to several social enterprises and cooperatives, including a community-owned cinema and a community-run pub.
- Hebden Bridge is a vibrant and welcoming town, with a unique character and a strong sense of identity.
Where Next after Hebden Bridge?
After visiting the charming town of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, there are several other key locations nearby that are worth exploring. Take a trip to Todmorden, or visit the busier town of Halifax – of particular interest to families is the amazing National Children’s Museum, at Eureka, so good on a rainy day for little ones.
Alternatively, you could venture to the vibrant city of Leeds, known for its rich industrial heritage and thriving cultural scene. If you’re a fan of the Brontë sisters, a trip to the quaint village of Haworth is a must, where you can visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum. For nature lovers, the Yorkshire Dales is just a short drive away, offering breathtaking landscapes and numerous walking trails. And don’t forget to visit the picturesque city of York, with its iconic Minster, medieval walls, and the fascinating Jorvik Viking Centre. All these destinations offer a unique taste of what Yorkshire has to offer.
