The hippy movement of the 1960s gave birth to a bevy of bohemian enclaves around the world.
These alternative-thinking and creative communities marched to the beat of their own drum, and many grew up to become some of the coolest places to live in their respective countries (looking at you here Austin & Asheville).
Nestled in the rugged South Pennines mountain range near Manchester, England's Hebden Bridge was a withering industrial town until it was brought back to life by a hard-working contingent of hippies.
Miles Away from Manchester
Hebden Bridge feels hidden, despite being only a 30-minute train ride from Victoria Station.
You will be enveloped by steep hills covered in foliage-one topped by the moody Stoodley Pike Monument-on your approach. By the time you alight at Hebden's retro-cool train station, you will feel completely removed from the bustling big city.
Tip: Exit the train one stop early in Todmorden and stroll along the Rochdale Canal to Hebden Bridge. The completely flat walk takes around 90 minutes, and you will be treated to colorful canal boats plying the water alongside fine scenery.
Hippy Heritage
Hebden Bridge prospered as a hub of textile manufacturing during its first heyday, even picking up the (affectionate?) nickname 'Trouser Town'. Industry had all but disappeared by the early 1970s, however, and the town was thoroughly down on its luck.
Into that void came an eclectic collection of artists, musicians, New Age thinkers and alternative lifestyle devotees. This ragtag crew ended up renovating abandoned buildings, opening up organic grocery stores and all-around re-invigorating Hebden Bridge.
While the town has now been gentrified to an extent, this spirit still shines through in spades. Just ask the town's resident jugglers.
Riverside Restaurants
The town takes its name from the stone bridge over Hebden Water (River) in its center. This packhorse bridge was erected in 1510 and allowed the town to become a center of trade.
The bridge sits beside an attractive shopping street loaded with pubs and coffee shops, with Coffee Cali having the best views of the bridge's graceful arch. Right around the corner, you will find the Shoulder of Mutton, a quintessential British gastropub.
[READMORE]READ MORE: You Could Always Go to Manchester[/READMORE]
Surrounding Hills
A short but steep walk uphill from Hebden Bridge will take you to the historic village of Heptonstall. Its main attraction is the eerie ruins of Church of St Thomas a' Becket church-which was destroyed in a storm.
The stone shell is the perfect place to catch your breath after your uphill trek.
You will soon be short of breath again on the walk back down to Hebden Bridge, as the entire Calder Valley opens up before your eyes providing million dollar views.
Scattered among the rugged hills you spot dozens of Hebden Bridge's signature "double-decker" houses. These unique homes-one residence is located upstairs facing the hills, the other is downstairs with a view of the town-were created out of necessity as the valley lacks flat land friendly to construction.
Literary Link
Admirers of the Brontë Sisters will love Hebden Bridge, as it is located a stone's throw from their longtime home in Haworth. There, you can visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum (where they lived) while re-tracing their footsteps all over the local windswept moors.
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