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Explore Hebden Bridge’s Best Pubs: Rich History & Unique Offerings
I explore various pubs in Hebden Bridge, highlighting their unique histories and offerings. The Fox and Goose, a community-owned pub, features traditional ales, live music, and a friendly atmosphere. Drink offers stylish interiors and creative cocktails, while Old Gate combines history with modern charm. Hidden Hebden, once a grocers, has a cosy ambiance, and Shoulder of Mutton is a long-standing favourite with a rustic feel. White Lion is noted for its riverside charm, Nightjar serves as a micro-pub with local brews, Vocation & Co marks a revival of the area, and The Albert highlights community events and live music.
Hebden Bridge, a quirky little town in West Yorkshire, started as a small river crossing and grew into a booming textile hub during the Industrial Revolution. Its steep hills and fast-flowing streams made it perfect for water-powered mills. By the 20th century, industry declined, but artists, writers, and bohemians moved in, giving it a fresh creative vibe. Today, it’s known for its independent spirit, LGBTQ+ friendliness, and stunning countryside. With cobbled streets, second hand bookshops, and lively pubs,
The Fox and Goose
First up is The Fox and Goose in Hebden Bridge. This is a proper old pub with loads of character. It’s been around in some form since medieval times, got rebuilt in the 1660s, and it’s been a local favourite ever since. Back in 2012, when it was under threat, the locals stepped in, raised money, and bought it as a community-owned pub. It reopened in 2014, being West Yorkshires first Community Owned Pub and now around 300 people help keep it going. It’s got proper ales, live music, quiz nights, and a laid-back, friendly feel. It even won CAMRA Pub of the Year a couple of times.
Inside it’s all stone floors, wooden beams, and a toasty fire when it’s cold outside. There’s a snug with darts and a lounge room that hosts live music and poetry nights. Upstairs, the beer garden is the real winner. Tucked into the hillside with fairy lights, plants, and views over the valley. It’s part-covered and has heaters too, so it’s a great spot whatever the weather. It’s dog-friendly, welcoming, and properly relaxed—feels like a place where time slows down and the conversation flows. A proper Hebden hangout.
On the bar a great selection of 6 cask ales, alongside a range of keg beers and a choice of ciders. Here I went with “Scarth” from Trig Brewery. A delicious light, hoppy and tasty pale ale, hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe and Citra.
Drink
A short walk down the road brings me next to Drink. This opened in the early 2000s and quickly became a standout in Hebden Bridge’s bar scene. While the town’s known for cosy old pubs, Drink brought something different: an interior made with scaffolding planks, and people’s flood damaged furniture along with cask and craft beers. It’s got a relaxed, creative crowd, it’s a spot where locals and visitors mix easily. It still carries that Hebden spirit—laid-back, sociable, a bit quirky—but with a modern twist. In a town steeped in drinking tradition, Drink hasn’t been just part of the history, it helped shape the next chapter.
Inside it’s got a cool, laid-back feel. Think exposed brick, moody lighting, comfy sofas, and a long, well-stocked bar. There’s always a mix of locals, creatives, and weekend wanderers chatting over a beer. The music’s always on point, just a great playlist and it gives the place a low-key buzz without being too loud. It feels warm, welcoming, and just the right amount of lively.
On the bar a range of 3 cask beers, 7 keg beers, ciders and a large selection of cans and bottles to choose to drink in or take away. Here I went with “My Nelson Romance” from New Bristol Brewery. A fantastic American Pale Ale, with some great flavours and very easy drinking.
Old Gate
Over the road brings me to Old Gate Bar & Restaurant in Hebden Bridge. This has been around in one form or another since the 1800s, back when it was a busy coaching inn serving travellers passing through the Calder Valley. Over the years, it’s seen the town change from a textile hub to the artsy, alternative place it is today. The building itself has had a few makeovers but always kept its charm. In the early 2010s, it got a big revamp and reopened as the Old Gate, modern but full of character. It’s a place where history, stories, and local life all come together.
The building’s got proper character. Think old stone walls, big windows, and that classic Yorkshire sturdiness. Inside, it’s all warm wood, exposed beams, and laid-back vibes. Outside, there’s a great beer garden that’s perfect for sunny days, with a relaxed atmosphere and a bit of people-watching.
On the bar a great line up of 8 cask beers, alongside a cider and a range of keg options to choose from. I opted with one of my local favourites in here today, “Three Swords” from Kirkstall Brewery. A delicious American Pale Ale using 3 different hops giving a well balanced, easy drinking and light beer.
Hidden Hebden
Tucked away down a quiet ginnel in Hebden Bridge, the Hidden Hebden pub—once known as Calan’s—is a quirky gem with a backstory as rich as its ales. Originally a 19th-century grocer’s shop, it morphed into a speakeasy-style drinking den during the interwar years. Over time, it’s been everything from a bookshop to an artist’s studio before settling into its current role as a cosy, low-key pub loved by locals. The old name, Calan’s, still lingers fondly in local memory, but the “Hidden Hebden” name suits its tucked-away spot and warm, word-of-mouth charm perfectly.
Just a simple doorway down a narrow ginnel, but step inside and it’s all charm. Think stone walls, low beams, candlelight, and a mix of old chairs that feel like they’ve been gathered from a dozen different homes. There’s no loud music or flashing lights just good conversation, great local ales, and the kind of warmth that makes you want to stay for “just one more.” In summer, the little courtyard out front becomes a sunny secret spot for a quiet pint.
On the bar a great line up of 6 cask beers, alongside a cider and a range of keg options to choose from. “Fools Gold” from from Twisted Oak Brewery was my selection. A very easy drinking, golden ale packed full of flavour.
Shoulder of Mutton
Next up is Shoulder Of Mutton. This has been around in some form since the 1300s. It started as a timber-framed house, created from what was once a row of three cottages and got its pub license by 1769. Over the years, it passed through loads of local landlords and picked up the nickname “Bottom Shoulder” to tell it apart from another pub up the hill. It’s had a few makeovers but still keeps that cosy feel. It shut for a bit in 2011, but bounced back and is now a proper favourite right in the heart of town.
It’s a classic stone building that fits right into the town square and hard to miss when the sun’s out and the beer garden’s buzzing. Step inside and it’s all low beams, stone floors, a big old fireplace, and that warm pub smell that makes you want to stay. It’s cosy without being cramped, and there’s a laid-back feel whether you’re in for a pint, some pub grub, or just passing through.
On the bar a great line up of 4 cask beers, alongside a range of keg options to choose from. In here I went with “Kirkstall Pale Ale” from Kirkstall Brewery. A great session pale ale, light and hoppy with a lovely bitter finish.
White Lion
Next up is White Lion on Bridge Gate. This has been part of Hebden Bridge since 1657, when it started life as King’s Farm. Right by the old packhorse bridge, it became a coaching inn in the 1700s—with stables, its own brewery, and even a toll gate out front. Over the years, it’s been a post office, a meeting spot for local groups, and even hosted Franz Liszt (a Hungarian Composer) for breakfast in 1840. Now a Grade II listed building, it’s a cosy riverside spot full of charm, character, and stories.
It oozes charm, inside and out. The old stone building and riverside spot make it feel like something out of a postcard. Inside, it’s all flagged floors, timber beams, open fires, and snug little corners, cosy and full of character. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with little touches of its long history everywhere you look. Out back, the beer garden is a hidden gem—right by the river, with plenty of space to sit out and soak up the surroundings.
On the bar a great line up of 5 cask beers, alongside a range of keg options to choose from. Here I went with “Knowle Spring” from Timothy Taylor’s Brewery. A delicious light, refreshing and very sessionable blonde ale.
Nightjar
A short stroll brings me next to Nightjar. This is a cosy little micro-pub in Hebden Bridge that opened in 2017 in the old Picture House building next to the cinema. It’s the brewery tap for Nightjar Brew Co (formerly Slightly Foxed), so it’s run by the same folks behind the brewery based in nearby Mytholmroyd. Even after getting hit by floods during Storm Ciara in 2020, it bounced back quickly and went on to win CAMRA’s Pub of the Season. Dog-friendly, family-friendly, and proudly local, it’s a proper community favourite.
Inside is a character-filled micro‑pub that feels instantly welcoming. Inside, you’ll find exposed brick walls, warm, low lighting, flagstone floors, and handcrafted wooden tables that create a comfy, lived-in feel. The snug bar area and cosy corners are perfect for catching up with friends, while a mix of communal and intimate seating adds to the charm. Outside, a few rustic benches offer a pleasant spot to enjoy a pint on sunnier days.
On the bar a great line up of 3 cask beers, alongside a range of keg options and numerous bottles and cans to choose from. “Juice” from Vault City Brewery in collaboration with Brew York was my choice in here. A delicious sour, tart and refreshing beer with Mango, Peach, Guava and Orange.
Vocation & Co
Just up the road to Vocation & Co. This opened in 2017 as the first taproom for Vocation Brewery, founded by John Hickling in 2015. The brewery began in a converted chicken shed above Hebden Bridge, where Hickling returned to his brewing roots after leaving a corporate job. The bar took over a former retail unit by the canal, blending into the town’s industrial past and creative energy. Its launch marked a turning point in Hebden’s post-flood regeneration, attracting visitors and helping revive the area. Vocation & Co quickly became a landmark of the town’s modern identity—independent, resilient, and proud of its Yorkshire heritage.
Inside t’s bright, modern, and relaxed with pale wood, clean lines, and big windows that let in loads of light. The space feels open but cosy, with long benches, high stools, and little touches of industrial design that nod to Hebden’s heritage. Out front, the beer garden allows you to sit and watch passers by on the main road.
On the bar a great line up of 4 cask beers, alongside a range of 20 keg options and numerous bottles and cans to choose from. I went with a sour beer here from Vocation Brewery. “Spring Zing” was a zesty, tart and fresh beer flavoured with rhubarb. Some fantastic flavour coming through.
The Albert
Last up is The Albert. This has been around since Victorian times, originally known as the Albert Hotel, complete with a coach house and stables. It sits on a quirky triangle-shaped plot and still shows off its old-school charm. In the 2015 Boxing Day floods, it was badly hit, but a major refurb in 2016 brought it back to life—complete with flood defences. These days, it’s known for hosting live music and regular community events. A proper local favourite with loads of character and a strong connection to the town’s history.
Step inside and it’s all warm and welcoming with wooden beams, stone walls, open fires, and little nooks where you can tuck yourself away. The bar’s at an angle, giving it a unique feel, and there’s a mix of comfy seating, soft lighting, and a relaxed vibe. A great beer garden adds an extra touch, perfect for enjoying the sunny weather.
On the bar a great line up of 5 cask beers, alongside a cider and a range keg options to choose from. I finished with “Blonde” from Saltaire Brewery. A delicious, well balanced and light pale ale.
Micropub Adventures 