We love Hebden Bridge. There is a discreet (and discrete) charm about this West Yorkshire market town placing it firmly on life’s bucket list. Strong links to its industrial heritage leaks from every pore. Beautiful stone mill factories (long since converted for 21st century use), weaver’s cottages, and mill worker houses, are an indelible mark of Hebden’s roots. Independent clothes shops, and local artist practices maintain a nod towards the town’s nineteenth century textile-based economy. Over the past twenty years, this fiercely independent valley town, has forged an economic resurgence based around tourism, featuring a plethora of independent shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants. An artisanal market, chock-full of local food, crafts, and fresh produce is hosted on the town’s square every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. And, best of all, you will discover these little gems a stone's throw from our holiday cottage in Hebden Bridge.
1. Visit Hebden Bridge Market
Everyone loves a good market, and THIS is a very good market. You’ll find plenty of local produce, crafts, and street food. Top of our list for a lunchtime-hunger-pang-beater is The Dosa. The owner (Vinod) sets up, cooks, serves the most amazing Chicken Tikka wraps, curries, and bajiis. Watching him operate is a real eye-opener, he almost splits himself into three!! If gargantuan wraps aren’t your thing, you’ll find jacket potatoes, pizza, home-made pies (or should we say huge-slabs-of-home-made-pies), mountains of cakes, and even a Vietnamese street food van.
2. Take A Canalside Walk
You are spoiled for choice by the plethora of walks in and around Hebden Bridge. And, quite rightly, you will be seduced by Hardcastle Crags and the Pennine Way. But, taking a stroll along the canal in Hebden Bridge is a wonderful way to spend an hour or so. There are some interesting house boats, plenty of ducks, and the tow path is delightful. And, when there is barely a breath of wind, the reflection off the canal makes for a painters paradise.
3. Look around the art studios and galleries
Back in the sixties, following the post-industrial economic collapse, a down-at-heel Hebden became home to hippies, artists, and well, lots and lots of very interesting people from all walks of life. A once unassuming straight-laced West Yorkshire mill town suddenly became home to a thriving art community. Fast forward to the 2020s and you’ll find art galleries and studios galore. There are a few to choose from but www.hopegallery.co.uk is one of our favourites. And, once a year the whole town (and surrounding area) plays host to a vast number of open studios so if you are visiting in October there is plenty of fabulous work on show.
4. Go shopping
Hebden Bridge is home to a diverse collection of independently owned shops. With everything from fashion boutiques to Portuguese crockery seconds Hebden delivers a smorgasbord of retail therapy which will delight any shopping afficiando.
5. Drink coffee
Hebden’s café culture is fiercely independent, assuredly a Starbucks and Costa-free zone. In Springtime the cafes spill out onto the town square and surrounding pavements. An ideal place to watch the world go by and listen to a cornucopia of busking talent. There are plenty of places to get your daily caffeine fix, and the coffee is always top drawer!
Want to stay somewhere? Why not book The Hideaway - our holiday cottage in Hebden Bridge.
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