I first discovered Hebden Bridge in October 2025. I had just got my heart broken, so my absolute diamond friends Dave and Becky invited me on a hike to Stoodley Pike — one of the many epic treks on offer in the south Pennines. Our descent at the end of the adventure took us down into Hebden Bridge and I was instantly captivated.
A historic market town in the Upper Calder Valley of West Yorkshire, Hebden Bridge is a quirky, quaint and rather charming little place with grey stone buildings and both the Rochdale Canal and River Calder running through it. Like a magical town on an old postcard, its character captures your heart and whilst it’s less than two hours away from Liverpool, it feels like a different world.
At weekends you’ll find the market in the town square, true to Hebden’s mill town history, and talented buskers. The town has certainly embraced tourism — with an abundance of coffee shops, restaurants and bars. Indeed, you’re spoiled for choice in terms of places to eat and drink, meanwhile there are boutique shops, an old-style cinema, a theatre beside the canal and a vibrant live music venue named Trades Club.
I needed it that day — good friends, a hike in the hills and a charming little town that welcomed my soul with open arms. In fact, I was so moved by the experience, I decided to book a solo getaway there in December. As we left West Yorkshire behind and drove through other similarly beautiful towns such as Todmorden, I managed to find an absolute gem on Booking.com.
Finding an attic room in a riverside cottage with a terrace that had a 9.7 rating for just £60 a night seemed like a steal and it transpired to be the place I’d return to again and again. Situated in the quieter and less touristy neighbouring village of Mytholmroyd, Helen’s offering in her home was a great find and it’s been my go to place since that first stay.
Helen and I have become good friends. Each of the three times I’ve visited the area since, I’ve stayed at her cottage and we have enjoyed enlightening conversations over cheese and wine. Her terrace overlooks the River Calder and it brings me an instant sense of calm, whilst the Roots And Rocks sauna and cold water pop up at the village’s leisure centre is a great way to de-stress.
I’ve developed a bit of a routine when I escape for the odd weekend. A Friday train from Liverpool is followed by some work on my laptop and a few drinks in Mytholmroyd — Barbary’s is a cool riverside spot with a cool selection of flavoured beers. After a nice evening with Helen, I usually get up on Saturday morning, head to the leisure centre gym and Roots And Rocks, then wander into Hebden Bridge.
The canal amble only takes around 20 minutes or so, but it’s a soothing walk. Once in Hebden Bridge, I take life slow for a change and just go with the flow — a far cry from the endless hours of graft running La Vida Liverpool. I drink coffee in coffee shops and watch the world go by before embarking on a random pub crawl and dining at one of the many fantastic restaurants.
There are so many great places to eat in Hebden and interestingly, so many quality pizzerias. I’ve sampled Fratelli which was wonderful and I’m told all the others are too, but locals will all tell you that Woody’s is stuff of legend! Not a restaurant, but a takeaway, Woody’s is a pizza connoisseur’s dream and during my May visit I enjoyed one of their beauties al fresco sitting by the river.
Hebden Bridge has a wide variety of places to drink and I’ve enjoyed a few pints at The White Swan pub — landlady Elizabeth has been at the helm for over 40 years and has kept the place going after her husband passed away, despite floods almost destroying it. There are some ‘proper places’ to drink such as the Sports & Social Club, whilst there are some modern pubs such as The White Lion, The Shoulder Of Mutton and The Mill.
Every time I visit I love an Old Fashioned or two at The Old North — a cool, dungeon-like little gem that always plays good tunes. I also love visiting Wavy Steps Bar over the road — a stone walled cave-like bar with a labyrinth of tiny rooms and a terrace overlooking the river. I have become friends with the owners and also a great guy and top DJ named Tim, who I continue to keep in touch with (I hear his new venture, Red Light Burrito Bar in Todmorden is off the scale too).
Every time I visit Hebden Bridge I meet new friends and I guess that’s a reflection on both myself and the town. I’m a friendly guy and Hebden is a welcoming place, so I guess it’s a match made in heaven. I did enjoy some time alone — attending a gig at Trades Club and watching It’s A Wonderful Life at The Little Theatre in December — but I just can’t help making new friends on my travels.
Sundays are great for exploring the surrounding hills and valleys. One Sunday, Dave joined me for a mini-hike in the hills and woods above Mytholmroyd and Cragg Vale, whilst another time I walked up to Cragg Vale and enjoyed one of the famous Sunday roasts at The Robin Hood pub. There are so many more treks to discover around Hebden Bridge — I’ve barely scraped the surface!
Discovering this magical part of the world has truly been a blessing and the gift that keeps on giving. It helped heal me in a time of dejection and continues to provide me with a feeling of escapism each time I fancy a jaunt. The area has become somewhat a second home for me and each time I visit I feel a sense of calm and comfort — safe in the knowledge that if it wasn’t for a heartbreak I may never have found it.
TO BOOK A ROOM WITH HELEN IN MYTHOLMROYD CLICK HERE
