Hebden Bridge - England's answer to colour and inclusivity

When you walk out of Hebden Bridge train station, you instantly step into a hip, quirky atmosphere and what awaits you, is a town full of acceptance, safety and colour. It is after all ‘The Lesbian Capital of the UK’ and this makes the town all the more unique.

I’ll be honest. I made the mistake of watching a walk around YouTube video, which spoilt my surprise of how beautiful the town’s infrastructure is so I already knew what awaited me on my visit. But if you’ve managed to stay away from those pesky social media spoilers then it will surely give you that wow factor when you arrive.

Of course, the warmth and the buzz still lingered for me and I was pleasantly surprised to see how the town’s sandstone buildings bled into the green hills, accompanied by a canal, which meanders through its core.

But what is there to do? Well, there are plenty of chic cafes and restaurants to indulge yourself in while you soak up the town’s ambience, catching a glimpse of people’s trendy fashion and laid-back lifestyle.

Walking around the town is easy to navigate however I accidently took the long way around. Big tip: make sure to turn left when you leave the station as the path leads you straight into the town centre. However, if you turn right, don’t worry as you are sure to be welcomed by a forest inhabiting the surrounding area and you will have to walk up an escalating hill of cottages and houses until you are at the canal side of the town. It is a peaceful walk but can be a little tiring if the weather is too hot or there’s a chill in the air.

The town has its own flea market, which sells a whole range of products depending on which days you visit. I took a trip on a Saturday and immediately soaked up its sublime bakery smell, which titillated my nostrils as I motioned past the other stalls selling quirky household items. I didn’t buy anything though as my stomach was mumbling from the early train I caught from Manchester Victoria station and a big breakfast was definitely needed.

I ate at the Coffee Cali, stuffing my face with eggs benedict, surrounded by hanging paintings and past photographs of old Hebden Bridge. It certainly gave me the warm fuzzy feels of what life would have been like all those years ago.

Let your smile gleam away at the amount of LGBTQ+ artwork, which paints the town in its true colours. Some people may say its mindless graffiti but I love it and I believe that artwork can prove vital in establishing people’s identity and their right to live on this planet as whoever they are. And you can tell by the photos below that the town’s people are sending a clear message that it’s ok to be yourself.

You could also have a little mooch around the boutique shops, but keep a look out for the most eccentric pieces of artwork you will find in the whole of England. It is sure to get the imagination flowing.

The main attraction of course is what makes Hebden Bridge so magical… its canal. It is the beating heart of the community and runs straight through the town. You can catch many different barges slicing their way through the water’s spine, some looking for a spot for the day, others merely passing through. The windmills and the sandstone warehouses radiate in the sun and you will love every minute of this tranquil waterway. Keep a look out for future articles as I venture on a canal walk from Hebden Bridge to Todmorden. It is a two hour walk giving you some pretty amazing views, which left me wanting more, as I am sure it will for you too.

So if you’re after a day out to explore a relaxed, friendly town away from the stresses of the big cities like Manchester and Liverpool, Hebden Bridge is a must visit for anyone needing to escape for a few hours.

Until next time…

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