Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge, the ‘Pennine Centre’, is a town of real character which grew out of textile production. Heptonstall, above the town, became the centre for weavers and Hebden Bridge was the river crossing point for packhorses laden with cloth, salt and food. The stone bridge visitors see today was built in 1510.
Handloom weaving was overtaken by mills powered first by water, then by steam. The mills and their chimneys, which today seem like strange sandstone fingers pointing at the sky, enabled the town to prosper. Many of these mills still survive and have found new uses. One of the most prominent in the town, Bridge Mill, now houses a number of shops and craft outlets, as well as a marvellous working restoration of the original water wheel. It is one of many fine, stone buildings in St. George’s Square.
The square has many shops with beautifully restored Victorian fronts and has been a magnet for local and international musicians and, more recently, film crews. It was the setting for the feature film Fanny and Elvis.
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