Why visit Hebden Bridge?
A very welcoming vibe
Hebden Bridge has been quietly attracting artists and alternative lifestyle-seekers since the 1970s, but it leapt to international fame when it featured on National Geographic’s Cool List 2019 and was hailed as the ‘greatest town in Europe’ by Culture Trip. What led to it earning those plaudits? Well, this is a town that’s packed with independent businesses and is famous for its inclusivity, especially towards LGBTQ communities – whoever you are and wherever you come from, there's a warm welcome in store here.
Hotspot for hikers
When Hebden Bridge became England’s first ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town back in 2007 it was hardly a surprise – the town is known as a rather heavenly place for hikers and walkers of all abilities. You can walk several trails straight from the town centre or take a short drive to local favourites like Stoodley Pike or Widdop Reservoir. If you’d like to explore further, both the Yorkshire Dales and the Forest of Bowland are about 30-40 minutes’ drive away.
Fabulous food
You’ll no doubt work up quite an appetite on those walks – and that’s good news, because Hebden Bridge has plenty of great places to eat. The weekly market is a real highlight, with lots of tempting street food stalls to choose from, but there are also lots of pubs, cafés and restaurants too. Packing a picnic for your hike or picking up barbecue bits? Head to Craggies farm shop for some top-notch local produce.
Essential things to do in and around Hebden Bridge
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Follow the six-kilometre Hebden Bridge Loop trail, taking you from the town centre along the canal to the village of Heptonstall
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Catch a film in the plush surroundings of the Grade II-listed Hebden Bridge Picture House
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Head out of town to Hardcastle Crags to visit a former cotton mill and explore 400 acres of countryside
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Take an afternoon tea on a narrowboat on the Rochdale Canal, or opt for the Friday fish and chip cruise
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Sip a pint from a local microbrewery at the Fox & Goose, West Yorkshire’s first community-owned pub
Unexplored Hebden Bridge
Literary icons
Visit this area and you’ll be walking in the footsteps of a couple of famous writers. Nearby Mytholmroyd was the childhood home of Ted Hughes, and a stroll around the town shows up several tributes including a blue plaque and some storyboards inspired by his poetry. While you’re in the area you can also seek out the grave of Sylvia Plath, over in Heptonstall.
Take a dip
As well as all those lovely walking trails, the local countryside holds a couple of fantastic places to take a cool freshwater swim. Gaddings Dam (aka ‘Todmorden Beach’) is said to be the highest beach in all of England thanks to its location up on the moors – it’s a steep walk up, but you’ll certainly be glad of a paddle or swim once you reach the sandy shore.
Culture walk
About half an hour’s drive from Hebden Bridge is the Singing Ringing Tree, an outdoor artwork with both visual and sound elements. Made up of 322 steel pipes, it turns the wind into an ever-changing natural piece of music that can be surprisingly loud at times. A popular way to get there is to follow the Wayside Arts Trail from Towneley Hall, looking out for the wood carvings along the six-mile trail.
Here’s how
With such fantastic views and outdoor activities around, it’s no surprise to find that the area around Hebden Bridge is also a great place for an open-air break – what better way to finish your day of hiking and history than an evening by the campfire with a backdrop of the Yorkshire scenery?
Pitchup’s collection of places to stay includes everything from simple farm pitches to fully equipped glamping tents – plus places to park your motorhome or caravan. Use the tick-box filters to choose the features that matter to you and you’ll see a list of suitable choices. Have a look at some of our popular choices using the links below.
If Hebden Bridge isn’t quite right for you, have a look at all our options for camping in West Yorkshire, or expand your search to include North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and East Yorkshire.
