Hebden Bridge
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At Hebden Bridge you will soon discover that once you view the town, nestling amongst wonderful Pennine hillsides, you will be charmed and delighted. What will captivate you even more are the strange stories which abound! For instance the story of the Cragg Vale coiners shows how ekeing out a hard living from farm and cloth, led to an independence, not to say, an inventiveness of spirit which gave Hebden Bridge its unique character.
Led by “King” David Hartley, buried in Heptonstall Churchyard, the Coiners made new coins form “old” and were involved in intrigue and murder. This independent streak is reflected in the number of Baptist and Methodist chapels in the area – their wonderful architecture can still be admired in many places. Independent streak or not, one famous non- conformist minister, Dr John Fawcett, was so charmed by the area and its parishioners, that he could not beat to leave the town even when he and his family were packed.
The Industrial Revolution had a great part to play as well. The mills and their chimneys which today seem like strange sandstone fingers pointing at the sky, made the town prosper. Corduroy and worsteds were the speciality. One of these mills, Bridge Mill, was where the Royalist forces encamped to fight the Roundheads in the battle of Heptonstall. Again, in commerce, the town showed the individualism which makes it special. Nutclough Mill, now a home to modern business, was probably the most famous producer co-operative in the country.
As for housing the workers, the unique relation of “double decker” houses to the landscape, clinging as they do to the hills, shows again the individual character of this wonderful Pennine mill town. Today the town retains its special character but offers so much more to the visitors. Mills and canalside workshops are now home to craft galleries, restaurants and shops. The unusual townscape and beautiful setting inspires many local artists, many exhibiting their work each year at the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival. The Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes was born locally, in Mytholmroyd. The Pace Egg Play adds drama and colour, whilst the World Dock Pudding Championship can be savoured for its special flavour.
Cosy tearooms and friendly hostelries abound. Some offer real ale, many have intriguing histories, but all offer good cheer! Relaxing and taking “a breather” from the stresses of modern life is easy here. Take a horse-drawn canal trip from the marina and be logged through Fallingroyd Tunnel, see the natural splendour of “Little Switzerland” at Hardcastle Crags, walk the riverside walk, take to the hills, or just simply amble round the many superb speciality shops.
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