If you’re lucky enough to live here, or you’ve been to Hebden before, you’ll know just how fascinating, rich and enjoyable our industrial and cultural heritage is. If you’ve never visited our town though, you’re in for a real treat – there’s nowhere quite like it.
For helping preserve and document our local history, geology and natural landscapes – and for making it more accessible – we’ve got the lovely people at Pennine Heritage to thank. As well as producing printed guides and giving regular talks, they’ve even created a handy downloadable E-trail app, complete with map, directions, commentaries and photos. There’s also a digital archive they curate, with amazing photos going back decades, including many you can buy as prints.
We’ve got to mention their HQ too, because Pennine Heritage is based at the wonderful Birchcliffe Centre, just a short walk from town. This stunning former Baptist Chapel hosts everything from yoga sessions and dance classes to gigs, exhibitions and film screenings, and it’s also home to offices and artists’ studios for rent. There are discounts for charities and non-profit groups, and you can even host a meeting or get married here!
If you do pop in for a look, don’t forget to call in at the Centre’s friendly shop. Bring your questions as well as your cash, because what these folk don’t know about the South Pennines region, probably isn’t worth knowing.
