Hebden Bridge

There's nowhere in the whole of Yorkshire like Hebden Bridge, the 'Glastonbury of the North', as it sometimes likes to be known. The  ‘fourth funkiest town in the world’, it's full of good cafés, independent shops, a vibrant music scene and more art, in all its forms, than you can shake a hand-carved stick at. It’s also very pretty, in a gritty sort of way, with a history that lies in the textile industry so think chimneys, monumental architecture and row upon row of ‘double-decker’ mill workers terraces. A river runs through the town, burbling under the various bridges, and there’s a thriving canal life, with cruises to be taken on narrow boats pulled by heavy horses and a large group of people living permanently on barges.

Hebden’s a great place to linger, walk around and contemplate – around every corner there's another piece of interesting history, another cobbled street, another old mill.  It hunkers in the bottom of a steep-sided wooded valley, the Bronte moors over the hill, and high above the town, there's historic Heptonstall, with its tiny weavers’ cottages, steeped in history and myth, and the final resting place of Sylvia Plath. A thriving Fairtrade town, Hebden is a magnet for a diverse bunch of folk – artists, media-types and New-agers; the sat-back vibe has also attracted a large gay population. The weekly market hosts artisan cheese and bread makers, organic veg growers and fresh Fleetwood fish from Paul's van. There are buskers in the town square, an independent cinema, a great little theatre and one of the most popular and respected music venues in the country. 

There are a few good choices when it comes to places to stay, including a friendly and affordable budget hostel a ten-minute walk from the town, and a good campsite situated in the nearby hills, a 50-minute walk away. The more pricey end of the range can see you settled in stylish self-catering options right in the town centre or you can opt for one of the boutique B&Bs or guesthouses situated on and around the river.