Hedben Bridge Pubs and Bars

Views from the Shepherd’s Rest Inn

Whether you’ve worked up a thirst walking on the moors, or simply fancy a relaxing potter about town, Hebden Bridge has plenty of quality pubs to choose from. There are even venues for a lively night out, if that’s what’s on the cards for you.

Here’s our run-down of the best of the best.

Best for community (and dogs)

The Fox and Goose, Heptonstall Road, Hebden Bridge

This community-run pub offers a warm welcome to locals and visitors alike. Oh, and your canine friends may also join you. They are likely to make some new friends, too. The staff are very friendly and there’s a gently relaxing vibe. The Fox and Goose has a folksy, slightly scruffy feel about it, rather like the pubs of old! Come here for the warm atmosphere, the great selection of drinks, including real ale, cider and soft drinks, as well as some very yummy bar snacks.

The beer garden is lovely - it’s set up high above the road overlooking the valley, and it has space heaters and rain cover. An excellent 'real' pub, you might say.

Best for canal walks (and cosy atmosphere)

The Stubbing Wharf, Off Burnley Road, Hebden Bridge

The Stubbing Wharf is located just on the outer edge of Hebden, heading in the Todmorden direction. Situated as it is on the canalside, it is a firm favourite with walkers and cyclists. This pub makes a great stop off point on sunny days and rainy days alike. Sit outdoors, soak up the sunshine and watch the world go by (well, the ducks at least!)… or shelter inside by the open fire.

Recently renovated, they aim to offer something for everyone - whether you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a pint whilst watching your favourite team play, savour a cocktail with friends, or bring the family for a tasty Sunday lunch. They offer a vegetarian-friendly menu, and serve hot drinks as well as the usual selection of beers, ciders and spirits. Checking out their latest reviews, people think their food is good and staff are welcoming. There is also a function room you can hire for events.

Best for LGBTQI+ (and vegan food)

Nelson’s Wine Bar, Crown Street, Hebden Bridge

Keep your eyes peeled for this place - it’s tucked underground in a basement. But don’t let that put you off. It’s gorgeous! Cosy, inviting and nicely furnished. Everyone is welcome in Nelsons, where they promote a “live-and-let-live” atmosphere.

The kitchen has recently become entirely vegan, offering an imaginative plant-based menu. Their food has been described as “unusual flavours, sublimely cooked.” (Gluten free options are available.) Nelsons also pride themselves in their range of low intervention and natural wines, beers, cider and soft drinks.

Nelsons is LGBTQI+ family friendly, and welcomes well-behaved dogs. And as if there could be MORE to say about this place… we need to mention the music nights and arts exhibitions. The walls are decorated with art by local artists, of which there are many. And Nelsons hosts regular music events - there’s a weekly open mic (the local talent is excellent) plus adhoc DJ nights. Nelsons draws in a warm and friendly crowd of enthusiastic dancers, all happily jostling for space in this cosy little venue.

Best for live music (and curry)

The Trades Club, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge

The Trades Club is a socialist club and home to Hebden Bridge Labour Party. Not surprising then that this is an inclusive and welcoming venue, offering real ales and some lively political discussions. There is a pool table in the bar room, and the next door function room hosts a dazzling array of music gigs and events with artists from around the globe. The Trades Club has been shortlisted many times as one of the UK’s best small clubs. They invested in a superb new sound system a few years ago and the sprung dancefloor is a treat to bounce about on!

Keep an eye on WHAT’S ON and be sure to book early as big name acts sell out very quickly. Appealing to an audience that extends to Leeds, Manchester and beyond, the Trades draws in a crowd from across the north of England (plus a healthy serving of faithful locals!). There’s always a great span of age ranges in the Trades Club, too. It’s really quite remarkable.

Resident chef, Rostini, serves up her native Indonesian fare on week nights - often spicy, always tasty, and the definitely the cheapest homemade dinner you will find.

Best for location (and cosy fire)

The Shepherd’s Rest, Lumbutts Road, Todmorden

The Shepherds Rest Inn is a family-owned free house, serving freshly prepared meals and a great selection of lagers, cask ales and wines. It is well-located for walking the moors. You can see Stoodley Pike from the pub garden, and Gaddings Dam reservoir (the UK’s highest beach!) is a short walk up the hill from the pub.

This is a true traditional country inn, with real fires, traditional home-cooked food, and real ales. Outside, there is a big pub garden with the most spectacular views - and an excellent children’s play area. They also have lots of on-site parking, plus a dog friendly area indoors. The menu includes vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Staff are very welcoming and the pub has a very cosy, comfortable vibe. Oh, and if you are a fan of pies, I’m told they come highly recommended!

Best for burgers (and decor)

Vocation, Burnley Road, Hebden Bridge

This gem of a place is located on the main road (A646) as you enter Hebden Bridge. They offer fantastic local beer from their own brewery, just up the hill in Cragg Vale. As well as an excellent selection of Vocation beers and guest ales, they also have a fridge stocked with cans and bottles for take out beers.

If you’re feeling hungry, this is the place to head to for a great burger. Everyone raves about them. Just check out their reviews, you’ll see what I mean! Vocation serve up delicious burgers that come in meat, vegetarian or vegan form, all equally good. Staff are friendly and the decor is chic and modern, with intimate booths for small groups and couples.

Best for scenic views

The Robin Hood Inn, Keighley Road, Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge

The Robin Hood Inn lies in the small village of Pecket Well, high up on the hill above Hebden Bridge. With its fantastic setting in a beautiful and peaceful location, it’s a great place to escape to all year round. This traditional free house serves food every day. There is a cosy bar area full of character and an intimate restaurant. It’s just the place whether you are wanting to stop for a drink, a sandwich or a full three course meal. The menu features a range of traditional home-cooked pub food and a chef’s specials menu with an exciting range of initiative dishes In winter, you will find two log burning fires roaring away. And in the summer, the outside terrace and hillside garden boast stunning views across the valley to Stoodley Pike, Heptonstall and beyond.

Reviewers say that they received a lovely warm welcome and fabulous food; nothing is too much trouble, portions are generous, and staff are very helpful and friendly. Worth a visit (or two), I reckon.

Best for good vibes (and woodland walks)

Robin Hood Inn, Cragg Road, Cragg Vale

This is a wonderful family-run pub… and a thoroughly authentic Yorkshire experience. The interior is like going back in time, it's very old fashioned and homely. The roaring fire is very welcoming. If you like Timothy Taylors beer, then it's well kept and is worth a visit just for a couple of pints.

The food is very good and reasonably priced. The service and atmosphere are superb. Add the stunning scenery and various walks around the area makes it a great place to stop off mid-walk (or walk here and take a taxi back to the Riverside Home). Reviewers say that they were made to feel very welcome, and food was plentiful and well-cooked - as well as being great value for money. This is a hidden gem… shhh, don’t tell anyone! Oh actually, do tell everyone. They need to know!

Best for breathtaking views

(Hmm, wait… I think we’ve got one of those already. Oh well, this is the Calder Valley… and it’s very pretty!)

The Hare and Hounds Country Inn

A fine country pub, in the true sense of the word (newly refurbished and rather smart, too). You’ll find a log fire burning in the harth, a cosy convivial atmosphere and tasty home-cooked food.

The landlord, landlady and staff are all very welcoming. The beer garden has quite possibly the best view of any pub for miles around.… with a panorama featuring Heptonstall and Stoodley Pike in the background. Simply breathtaking! This is absoultely the place to come to view the sunset on a clear day. There’s also a mini farm alongside the beer garden, so you can enjoy watching the antics of the goats, ducks and chickens up close. They offer a good range of meals, including veggie options, and service is reported to be swift and friendly. A fantastic pub in a spectacular setting. Oh, and did I mention the view?!

Further afield…

The Golden Lion, Fielden Square, Todmorden

Located in the town centre, just over the bridge that crosses the canal, The Golden Lion is a one-of-a-kind pub.

There’s no escaping that this is primarily a music venue. It is quirky and original, and can lay claim to some big names gracing their stage. Jarvis Cocker is no stranger to The Golden Lion. The owner, Gig, has turned this little pub into a sought-after location for bands and DJs alike. They serve a selection of cask ales and the food menu is primarily Thai (this is authentic Thai food, as the landlady herself is Thai). If you fancy a boogie, check out their Facebook page for the latest events. For an unusual pub lunch, this is the place. Oh, and they have a pool table, too.

Nan Moors, Burnley Road, Todmorden

Just across the road from The Golden Lion is the relatively new bijou bar, Nan Moors. They serve up a good selection of beers, including vegan beers. They also offer cocktails, plus some excellent still cider. There’s some really nice outdoor seating by the canal. Be aware, it is a tiny little pub, and it can get crowded inside when the outdoor seating is closed for the night. Oh, and there’s unfortunately only one toilet inside! But if you don’t mind the squeeze, it’s considered a very cooool place to hang out, with funky tunes guaranteed. Nan Moors is proud to be LGBTQ inclusive.

The Pub, Water Street, Todmorden

OK, so following on the theme of tiny pubs, this micropub in Todmorden is another little beauty. They sell selection of 8 cask ales, 10 keg ales, craft lager, craft lager, plus a large selection of gin, whisky, and rum, wines, and frizzante. There’s no music, no TV. Just good conversation… as they say at The Pub, come in as strangers, leave as friends.

The Pub also hosts regular live music events, featuring talented local musicians. They don’t serve cooked food, but they have a range of delicious bar nibbles, such as wasabi peas and chilli rice crackers. Perfect with a nice pint.

Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepubtod/

The Staff of Life Inn, Burnley Road, Todmorden

This outstanding gastropub still manages to maintain the essence of a traditional, cosy northern inn. The menu is highly-acclaimed, so you will need to book your table in advance to avoid disappointment. Service is excellent and the atmosphere is very welcoming. The Staff of Life has its own car park about 25 metres away.

Take a look at their reviews and you will see why they are always busy, whatever day or time you choose to go. I’ll admit, it’s not in the most beautiful setting, squeezed as it is into a narrow valley on the way out of Todmorden. So don’t go there for the views! But DO go for the delicious dinners and superb puddings, served up with real ale and a large dollop of northern hospitality.

The Puzzle Hall, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge

This gem of a place is a great example of community co-operation in action. The Puzzle Hall used to belong to Punch Taverns. However, their policy of maximum profits and minimum re-investment eventually resulted in the landlord moving on to better things and the pub closed… and remained closed for years.

Until 2018, when a plan was hatched. Some 233 people crowd funded the project, and the building was bought by Puzzle Hall Community Pub Limited. With the help of volunteers and local tradesmen a transformation took place.

It’s now a thriving community pub. They’ve got a great selection of hand pulled beers, lagers and wines for you. Live music gigs are back on - check the What’s On page for details.

The Wine Barrel, The Piece Hall, Halifax

This premium wine bar is located in the magnificent Piece Hall, Halifax, and specialises in… you guessed it! Wine! They boast the best location in The Piece Hall, with a bird’s eye view of the fantastic setting. They offer a large range of wines, beers, rums, gins and much more. The Wine Barrel also sells delicious artisan chocolates and cakes, along with their famous boozy hot chocolates. There is a themed quiz night on the last Thursday of the month, plus wine, beer and spirit tasting nights.