Hebden Bridge Cruises
Polly Checkland Harding
Hebden Bridge Cruises offer a unique and special way to discover the canal that runs through Hebden Bridge, forging the town’s heritage and history, onboard a traditional narrowboat exploring the beautiful waterway that runs through the Calder Valley. Learn about Rochdale Canal’s past uses, its influence on the surrounding towns and villages, and explore the tranquil scenery and wildlife that’s to be found along the way. Cruises start from behind Hebden Bridge’s Stubbing Wharf, a traditional pub with a fire, serving real ales and classic pub food, and last from 50 minutes to an hour and a half or more if booked specially.
Various Hebden Bridge Cruises trips have a foodie focus to tempt you: there’s a cream or afternoon tea cruise, with either a homemade scone with fresh cream and jam served on vintage china or a full afternoon tea with a selection of homemade sandwiches and cakes. These run daily; the fish and chips cruise, meanwhile, runs on Friday evenings and features freshly battered haddock, home cooked chips, mushy peas, and bread and butter, all prepared by the chefs at the Stubbing Wharf pub. The Sunday lunch cruises, which include a lock experience, have the likes of slow roast topside of beef, roast pork, lamb and a nut roast with a Yorkshire pudding and gravy on the menu, and are a fantastic introduction to the narrowboat community living on the canal.
Celebration cruises, perfect for birthdays, hen and stag dos, work outings and more, have the option of either a one to two course menu from the Stubbing Wharf pub, or a gourmet picnic menu, with a glass of fizz included in the price. You can choose your specific time slot and book on to a unique experience. The Hebden Bridge Cruises are even a brilliant option for an unusual children’s party, with dressing up encouraged, the chance to feed the geese and ducks, and the option of a packed lunch, cake and party bags should you choose. At their heart though, these trips along the Rochdale canal are an incredible way to experience the ancient woodland, weirs and waterfalls that surround Hebden Bridge, from the water.
Read our full guide to Hebden Bridge here.
