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SEPTEMBER
TRAVEL TIME
CONCIERGE
Autumn in the
happy valley
Head to Yorkshire and explore Hebden Bridge and the
surrounding area of Calderdale
WORDS AND PICTURES:
ROBERT BIRKBY
T
ucked away in the South Pennines is an
often-overlooked area which should feature
on the itinerary of any visit to Yorkshire.
The hordes head for the Yorkshire Dales or
Peak District a little north and south of here, which is
a shame as they’re missing out on one of the most
fascinating locations in the country.
Calderdale packs so much into its diminutive size.
The landscape is very diverse, and you’ll find the
rolling hills so typical of Yorkshire, as well as steep
valleys and open moorland. Equally diverse are the
people, a healthy mix of cultures, languages and
ethnic origins. What really sets Calderdale apart from
the rest of Yorkshire, though, is the gritty urban and
industrial heritage, exploited recently in the critically-
acclaimed TV drama
Happy Valley
. Nowhere is
evidence of the industrial revolution more apparent,
and it’s easy to see why the BBC location scouts
chose this area for the series. Those taking the time to
explore the towns and villages will find them
wonderfully atmospheric and dramatic. Unlike the
twee villages of the Dales, think northern accents,
mills, chimneys, steep cobbled hills and canals.
Visitors should not be put off by the dark goings-on in
Happy Valley, though – the folk of West Yorkshire are
as friendly and helpful as any!