‘I visited Hebden Bridge for the first time and it was perfect – but one thing ‘frankly sucked’
A visit to West Yorkshire’s market town was spoiled by an issue with parking – as many locals agree
17:37, 11 Oct 2025
Hebden Bridge is a bustling market town in West Yorkshire(Image: Lyra Auld/Yorkshire Live)
Situated in the rugged landscape of West Yorkshire, Hebden Bridge is well-known for its thriving arts scene, an array of independent shops to explore, and has withheld its reputation as a major LGBTQ+ friendly destination.
It will only take anyone located in Greater Manchester a smooth 30-minute train journey to reach the popular destination, with direct trains running regularly.
For those eager to meander down the Rochdale Canal and stroll along the whimsical bridges, perhaps visiting by train is the most sensible option as Yorkshire Live’s Lyra Auld soon found out.
Excited to explore Hebden Bridge for the first time, Lyra exclaimed: “From the neighbouring Pennine countryside offering a beautiful backdrop, to the rows of knick-knack shops for me to browse through, and plenty of eateries. Hebden Bridge was one of the best day-out destinations I have been to.”
However, the issue of parking although well-documented, was much worse than she first thought, as her “perfect” visit was somewhat tainted. She added: “I didn’t quite realise just how bad it was until I arrived.
“Before I could enjoy the scenery, I spent a good 10 minutes looping around the town before I found parking on the outskirts, near the Hebden Bridge Cinema House. I don’t mind a one-off stroll at all, but after speaking with locals, it appears that the issue is not one-off for them at all.”
Just 30-minutes by train from Greater Manchester, the town does come with a warning to visitors(Image: Lyra Auld/Yorkshire Live)
Lyra spoke to some baristas working at The Mooch Cafe Bar who explained that the parking “frankly sucked”, with many locals admitting it’s difficult for them to find places to park their cars.
She continued: “I am not even a resident, and yet I can imagine that the influx of tourists in the height of summer can make the parking experience hellish.
“I feel that during my visit, I escaped fairly unscathed – thanks to it not being peak season – but it’s not hard to see why locals struggle on a day-to-day basis.”
Adding that she would “feel somewhat guilty” to say she’d “100 percent visit again”, Lyra offered some advice to anyone planning a visit:
“I think if you are planning to make your own visit, just be extra kind to the warm and friendly locals who are enduring increased meter parking, thanks to us tourists!”
However, for anyone who does decide to take a day-trip to the bustling town, then there is plenty to do.
There’s the famous Bronte Boat ride on the Rochdale Canal to take in the local scenery, or some locally-owned businesses for anyone in the market for something niche.
Lyra recalled: “Everyone was so friendly, and as a queer woman, it was lovely to see such a strong community – not only present – but also celebrated.
“The only flags being flown were the colours of the rainbow, something I am always happy to see.”
