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There can be few areas of England which compare with Hebden Bridge and district. Here villages and towns are hewn out of hard sandstone and millstone grit, and here every historical event of note still remains in evidence, standing as some revered feature or welded into the very personality of its people.

Visitors cannot fail to notice, at almost every turn, some aspect peculiar to the region, whether it be the strange terraces of houses built into local hillsides or the grey abundance of stark stone walls creating a mosaic of tiny fields around lonely hilltop farms.

Here are remarkably preserved ancient villages, and deeply wooded valleys which disguise the ruins of mills founded at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Here also are remains from much earlier periods of history - a paved Roman road, ancient moorland crosses and picturesque mediaeval buildings including the superb ruins of Heptonstall Church established back in 1256.

It is only on rare occasions that sightseers are able to cast their eyes over such living history as can be found here. Many have viewed it in the past - John Wesley, Daniel Defoe, the Bronte sisters. Today people see it from new angles, as they tread the Pennine Way and Calderdale Way, admiring the panoramic views from places such as Stoodley Pike. Thousands more are now following the many walks and trails which have been established, or accepting the challenge to walk up the steep hill to Horsehold rocks, just one of the many viewpoints overlooking the deep gorge of the River Calder. It is also one of several sites in the district for rock-climbing, which is becoming increasingly popular, along with many other outdoor pursuits such as fishing and pony trekking, as well as rambling.

But Hebden Bridge is not a holiday playground or tourist attraction in the usual sense. To some, the landscape is dramatic but also bleak. There are several fine restaurants, but little in the way of organised nightlife, and overnight accommodation is relatively limited.

This is, however a district of character, proud of its traditions and heritage - traditions like its annual Pace Egg Play, Morris dancing displays and local brass bands. The area also has a unique "dish" - if you come in the spring, be sure to sample "dock pudding", a spinach-like delicacy made form weeds which is served with bacon.

In fact, Hebden Bridge is rather like its dock pudding - an unusual acquired taste. But if you are at all interested in history or outdoor pursuits, you are sure to find the district's flavour to your liking.

Last updated August 1998