(Last updated February 23rd, 2020).
There aren’t a huge number of places to stay in Hebden Bridge; as a touristy town, it’s generally better at feeding people and sending them on their way than putting them up. There are some good, small, independent options though, and if you struggle to find the right place in Hebden Bridge itself, nearby towns have very good travel links. This page offers some suggestions for accommodation in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding towns.
Accommodation In Hebden Bridge
Croft Mill Apartments
Some larger apartments which are very cost effective if they can be filled. Highly recommended to us by previous Feral Vector attendees:
http://www.croftmill.com/
Hebden Bridge Accommodation
This site is dedicated to accommodation in Hebden Bridge. It has loads of self catering places, also some inns: http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/accommodation/
Camping:
The New Delight
Small site, right by the Pennine Bridleway for those wanting a bit of cycling. Free hot showers. 30 mins walk into Hebden Bridge, longer back because it’s uphill. Buses run into Hebden Bridge. http://www.hebdenbridge-camping.co.uk
Old Chamber Camping
New in the past year, we don’t know much about it yet, but it’s a little closer to Hebden Bridge and right by The Honesty Box (a favourite stop for walkers and mountain bikers wanting a cup of tea or a choc ice). There are a couple of driveable tracks up to it, plus many footpaths through the woods. < href="https://www.oldchambercamping.com/">https://www.oldchambercamping.com/
We’ve listed a few places below, but AirBnB and TripAdvisor (hotels/etc. or rentals) also show plenty of options in or near Hebden Bridge. There are no major hotel chains in the area, most are coaching houses or inns.
Heptonstall, above Hebden Bridge, is also worth a look, just be aware if you decide to walk that it’s 200m/650ft above on a very steep hill! There are routes up through the woods too, but taking those or the road, we recommend having a torch.
Some of the following places are further out of Hebden Bridge than others. If you book, we’d advise you do so on the understanding that to get to some of them you’ll need a taxi, a car, or a bicycle and some puff.
B&Bs:
Google maps shows some that aren’t listed on other sites.
Hare & Hounds
Up the hill from the Birchcliffe Centre, and accessible by bus. Recommended to us by a previous attendee.
http://hareandhounds.me.uk/main.php?pg=rooms
Two Hoots Cottage
A very mountain bike friendly B&B according to locally-based mountain bike magazine Singletrack.
http://www.twohootsguesthouse.co.uk
Spring Wood Studio Holiday Apartments
Two apartments recently converted from a photographer’s studio.
http://www.springwoodstudios.co.uk
Other hostels:
These are places we’re looking at for future options, but for this year they’re a bit far from Hebden Bridge for us to use without also renting vehicles and drivers to ferry people around.
Hebden Hey Scout Centre
Two hostels with space for up to 74 people, hidden off in the woods near Gibson Mill and Hardcastle Crags.
http://hebdenhey.org.uk
Height Gate
Currently difficult to access due to the 2015 Boxing Day floods tearing up the access road, Height Gate is a 17th Century Barn for indoor camping. They recommend “vehicles with good ground clearance”, such as a 4×4. No beds, sleeping on carpeted floors, but room for up to 30 people. 2 miles from the centre of Hebden Bridge and has a bus service just down the access track.
http://www.heightgate.org.uk/
Towns and cities near Hebden Bridge
Todmorden, Mytholmroyd (pronounced “my-thum-roid”, with “th” like in “the”), Sowerby Bridge and Halifax are all close by, with travel times to Hebden Bridge typically 10 – 15 minutes. Rail tickets are also fairly cheap here, with day returns typically from £2 – £6. If you fancy staying out late, here are estimated cab fares. Hebden Bridge to:
Todmorden: £10 – £15
Mytholmroyd: ~£5
Sowerby Bridge: £7 – £10
Halifax: £12 – £18
Further out, Huddersfield, Bradford, Littleborough and Burnley all run direct trains to Hebden Bridge, with journey times of around 20 – 30 minutes. If you’re driving, Oxenhope, Pecket Well and Cragg Vale are within easy reach too.
For those missing the city, Hebden Bridge has direct train links to Leeds and Manchester (also Bradford and Halifax), so there are always the usual hotels, AirBnBs, friend’s sofas and so on there if you prefer. Travel time by rail from either is roughly 45 minutes.
(CC image by Tim Green)
Todmorden (above) is where festival director David Hayward now lives. It’s a great place to mountain bike from, is ten minutes from Hebden Bridge, and half an hour from the centre of Manchester.