Calderdale’s Happy Valley Country Pubs: “There’s a real depth to the landscape – it’s so dramatic and awe-inspiring. Now I see Calderdale – Halifax, Hebden Bridge, Ripponden, Sowerby Bridge and Elland as really beautiful. That’s the area I think of as Happy Valley” – Sally Wainwright’s interview with the Guardian.
Scroll below to learn more about our selection of the best 15 Calderdale country pubs, derived from our expert local knowledge, of Calderdale’s country pubs and to see our interactive Happy Valley Country Pubs map.
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Happy Valley Country Pubs: The Fleece Inn Ripponden
The Fleece Inn is located above the picturesque village of Ripponden and has stunning views across Calderdale – Happy Valley – from its large elevated terrace. The terrace has a dedicated BBQ and burger facility during the summer months.
The Fleece Inn’s menu offers award-winning meals from locally-sourced seasonal ingredients and serves wines and hand-pulled beers which have been carefully selected to compliment the dining menu. The Fleece Inn at Ripponden is also a popular wedding venue.
The Fleece Countryside Inn has 7 en-suite bedrooms available all year round and a very large car park.
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Hare and Hounds
Located just over a mile from Hebden Bridge town centre, The Hare and Hounds is a stunningly located refurbished dog-friendly B&B country pub with Cask Marque quality Timothy Taylor real ales.
Hebden Bridge Hare and Hounds has five en-suite rooms and stunning panoramic views of Calderdale – the Stoodley Pike monument can be seen across the valley from the patio.
Located by the Pennine Way footpath, with its dramatic Calderdale Yorkshire countryside setting, the Hare & Hounds can make an idyllic base from which to explore Hebden Bridge, Calderdale and Halifax. The Hare and Hounds Hebden Bridge is also on the signed 150 miles circular West Yorkshire Cycle Route.
The food menu at the Hare and Hounds is hearty Yorkshire gastro-country pub style that includes The Famous Hare and Hounds ‘The Animal’ 40-ounce (1.3kg) Challenge – a free drink awaits if you finish it!
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Stubbing Wharf
A little out of Hebden Bridge town centre and accessible by the canal towpath or road, The Stubbing Wharf is a traditional family-friendly pub located between the river Calder and the Rochdale Canal. Stubbing Wharf’s food has a good reputation in the area and they use local suppliers for all their products. The Stubbing Wharf has a large dining area, outdoor seating and canal trip cruisers stop outside the Stubbing Wharf pub.
The Stubbing Wharf typically serves 6 hand-pulled cask ales including Timothy Taylor’s, Saltaire and Black Sheep.
Stubbing Wharf Hebden Bridge opening times: Sunday 11:00 am to 10 pm, Monday to Thursday 12 noon to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 12 midnight
Stubbing Wharf Hebden Bridge Address: King St, Halifax Rd, Hebden Bridge HX7 6LU
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Fox and Goose
The Fox and Goose was the first pub in West Yorkshire to be run by the community. It has a wonderfully cosy feel, with exposed beams and flagged floors. Cyclist, walkers and dog friendly, The Fox and Goose pub has a real fire and a great hillside partially covered beer garden with fantastic views. It was CAMRA pub of the year 2020 and they have regular music sessions and Monday night is quiz night.
The Fox and Goose Hebden Bridge has 6 rotating beers and ciders.
Fox and Goose Hebden Bridge Opening Times: Monday 4 pm -11 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 2 pm – 11 pm, Thursday 12 noon to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 noon- 12 midnight and Sunday 12 noon 10:30 pm
Fox and Goose Hebden Bridge address: Heptonstall Road, Hebden Bridge HX7 6EN
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Cat I’th Well
Only a few hundred metres from the Calderdale Way walking route, the Cat I’th Well is a fabulous country pub with historic panelled walls, horse brasses and flagged floors set in a wonderful location near a fast-flowing bubbling stream and has fine views.
Enjoy its open fire, comfortable interior, large beer garden, friendly people, and great beers from local Yorkshire breweries Timothy Taylor and Vocation.
Legend says that the white rock behind this pub on the hillside was a hiding place for Robin Hood’s loot and that the rock must be painted white annually by the pub’s landlord, or the pub will fail.
Cat I’th Well Opening Times: 12 noon until closing 7 days per week.
Cat I’th Well, Wainstalls Lane, Lower Saltonstall, Wainstalls HX2 7TR. 01422 244841
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Big Six
The Big Six is uniquely tucked away, being one property in a row of terraced houses near Manor Heath Park, King Cross and the iconic Wainhouse Tower which has appeared in many shots in the Happy Valley TV series. The Big Six has 8 real ales and they always serve at least one real cider. The Big Six has a beer garden at the rear, is very dog friendly and is a haven for real ale enthusiasts.
Big Six Opening Times: Monday to Friday from 4 pm, Friday from 3 pm and Saturday & Sunday from 1 pm.
Big Six address: 10 Horsfall Street, Halifax, HX1 3HG.
Happy Valley Country Pubs: The New Delight Inn
The New Delight Inn is in the village of Colden on the picturesque moors above Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, with a beer garden and an adjacent camping facility of Hebden Bridge Camping that has toilets, hot shower, electric hook up and gas plus shepherd’s hut accommodation. For all camping bookings call Tel:07763574060 or leave a message.
The New Delight has four rotating guest beers plus there is one craft keg available. The New Delight Inn is child friendly and also has a pool table.
The New Delight Inn is a perfect rest stop for dog walkers, hikers, cyclists or anyone in need of refreshments. Hot food is available including a range of burgers, baguettes or lighter bites.
The New Delight Inn is well located for the Pennine Way footpath, the Calderdale Way footpath and the Pennine Bridleway. The New Delight Inn can also be reached by the 596 bus from Hebden Bridge, with the bus stop directly outside.
The New Delight Inn Food Service Times (Last orders 15min before end of service): Thursday – Friday 5 pm – 8 pm; Saturday 12 noon – 8 pm; Sunday 12 noon-6pm. Tel:01422844628
The New Delight Inn Opening Times: Thurs 5 pm – 9 pm; Friday 5 pm – 10 pm; Saturday 12noon – 9 pm; Sunday 12 noon-6 pm.
Happy Valley Country Pubs: The Lord Nelson
The award-winning Lord Nelson pub is in the centre of the tiny village of Luddenden, adjacent to St Mary’s Church and Luddenden Brook with its fast-flowing weirs, rockfall and landslip vistas. The Lord Nelson is a friendly and inviting ancient coaching house with a beautiful hidden garden for the summer and cosy fires during the winter.
The 1634 datestone over the door of the Lord Nelson pub owes its origin to when it was a private house – it did not become a pub until the 1700s. The Lord Nelson was a favourite watering hole of Bramwell Bronte, the only brother of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, during his time as a clerk on the Leeds and Manchester Railway in charge of Luddenden Foot Railway Station.
The Lord Nelson is friendly and has cask marque beers from Timothy Taylor’s and Moorhouse’s.
The Lord Nelson Luddenden Village Opening Times: Monday to Friday 3 pm – Midnight; Saturday and Sunday 2 pm – Midnight.
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Robin Hood, Cragg Vale
If you’re a cyclist it is worth noting that The Robin Hood at Cragg Vale is located on the longest continuous gradient of any road in England, starting at Mytholmroyd, marked by the blue road sign to Blackstone Edge Reservoir at the top. It is not the hardest climb going, but it is long at 9 kilometres and at the top there are exhilarating, swooping descents down from Blackstone Edge Reservoir from the top either way, left to Baitings Reservoir and Ripponden or right to Littleborough, Hollingworth Lake and Rochdale – or back down the way you came. Halfway up (on the left) or down (on the right) there is a turning that leads to the Vocation and Little Valley breweries, Craggies Cafe and Farm Shop
The Robin Hood at Cragg Vale serves Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Boltmaker plus three rotating guest beers and five continental lagers and regularly appears in the Good Beer Guide. The food at the Robin Hood, Cragg Vale is good too.
Robin Hood Cragg Vale Food Service Times: Wednesday and Thursday 4 pm-8 pm; Friday and Saturday 2 pm-8 pm; Sunday 12 noon-5:30pm
Robin Hood Cragg Vale Opening Times: Monday and Tuesday 2 pm – 10:30 pm; Wednesday and Thursday 12noon – 10:30 pm and Sunday 12 noon – 10 pm
Robin Hood, Cragg Rd, Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge HX7 5SQ Tel:01422885899
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Robin Hood Inn, Pecket Well
You’re not seeing double – there are two Robin Hood Country pubs in the Happy Valley area!
The Robin Hood Inn, Pecket Well is set in the magnificent countryside of the small hilltop village of Pecket Well, Hebden Bridge. Traditional pub food is served daily and they have four rotating hand-pulled ales and six beers on keg including continental and UK craft beers.
Robin Hood Inn, Pecket Well has a raised beer garden with superb views looking towards the iconic Stoodley Pike monument. The Robin Hood Inn, Pecket Well has three en-suite rooms available with breakfast included. Tel:01422842593
Many tourist attractions can be accessed from the Robin Hood Inn – it’s a short walk to the National Trust’s Hardcastle Crags or you may want to go a little further to Stoodley Pike or explore the various filming locations of Happy Valley – you can learn about here with our interactive map included in this link.
In addition to enjoying the town of Hebden Bridge, visitors to the Robin Hood Inn at Pecket Well can enjoy the beautiful moors which surround it and it is only a short 10-minute rural drive to Haworth, home of the iconic Brontë sisters.
Robin Hood Pecket Well Food Service Times: Monday – Sunday 12 noon – 9 pm
Robin Hood Pecket Well opening Times: Monday – Sunday: 12 noon – 11 pm
Robin Hood Pecket Well Address: Robin Hood Inn, Keighley Road, Pecket Well Hebden Bridge HX7 8QR.Tel:01422842593
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Booth Wood Inn
The Booth Wood Inn is located on what the locals historically call ‘Cunning Corner’ on the A672, a few minutes’ scenic drive from Junction 22 of the M62 towards Rishworth, Ripponden and Sowerby Bridge. The Booth Wood Inn serves four real ales and has a good selection of wines and lagers. The Booth Wood Inn has a beer garden and the restaurant has a good reputation, with food served daily from 12 noon.
Booth Wood Inn Food Service Times: Monday – Thursday 12 noon – 8 pm; Friday and Saturday 12 noon – 9 pm; Sunday 12 noon – 8 pm
Booth Wood Inn Address: Boothwood Inn, Oldham Road, Rishworth, HX6 4 QU. Tel:01422825600
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Old Bridge Inn
Home of the Pork Pie Appreciation Society and dating from 1307, the Old Bridge Inn is reputedly the oldest pub in Yorkshire. This beautiful pub is nestled next to the River Ryburn and the historic 1500s Packhorse Bridge on the Calderdale Way footpath. It has changed little in the past 700 years with its internal cruck beam structure, and when it was restored in 1882, 250 layers of whitewash paint were discovered!
The Old Bridge has no pub sign to announce its presence and is located in the Ripponden Conservation Area. The pub with no sign is possibly one of Yorkshire’s best-kept secrets to the uninitiated and yet it is in The Good Pub Guide; Alastair Sawdays Pubs and Inns; The AA Pub Guide; The Telegraph Quiet Pint, and the CAMRA Good Pub Food Guide.
The Old Bridge Inn is run by third-generation hosts Tim and Lindsay Walker and there’s a warm and civilised atmosphere in this amazing timber-framed Grade II-listed building, with its historic internal oak cruck structure clearly on display.
The Old Bridge Inn serves by hand pump six real ales, including Yorkshire brews from Timothy Taylor’s and Vocation plus four keg continental lagers or craft beers. The Old Bridge Inn offers Ukrainian and Polish vodka, rather than the usual Russian fare.
With delicious food available, a fine choice of craft beers, real ales, lagers, wines and spirits The Old Bridge Inn is at the pinnacle of the ‘traditional’ English pub.
Writing in the Guardian Sally Wainwright, writer of Happy Valley states “Ripponden’s Old Bridge Inn is over 700 years old. I’ve been there a lot and it’s a lovely pub in a nice, peaceful spot. And, if you’re after a great pub with rooms, I’d say go to The Shibden Mill Inn, which is a 17th-century property alongside Shibden Brook.” The Shibden Mill Inn, also in a beautiful location in Calderdale, features in Gentleman Jack also created by Sally Wainwright.
Note that dogs are not allowed into the Old Bridge Inn building, but they are well catered for with nice outdoor seating with dog tethers and drinking stations.
Old Bridge Inn Food Service Times: Monday – Saturday 12 Noon – 9:00 pm (The last food booking slot is 9 pm, after which tables are on a walk-in basis but only if staff are available); Sunday 12 noon – 5:00 pm.
Old Bridge Inn Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 12 noon – 11 pm; Sunday 12 noon – 10:30 pm.
Old Bridge Inn Address: Priest Lane, Ripponden, HX6 4DF. Tel:01422822595
Happy Valley Country Pubs: The Alma Inn
The Alma Inn serves food every day, starting with breakfast at 9:00 am, and serving their main menus from 12:00 noon straight through until 8:15 pm in the evening (6:30 pm Sundays) and The Alma Inn has five en-suite guest bedrooms.
Drinkers are well catered for too – the Alma has two bars serving a selection of cask ales including Timothy Taylor’s, craft beers, continental lagers, bottled Belgian beers and a good selection of wines. The Alma has plenty of low and high-level bar seating that can be used at all times by those just in for a drink. In the summer there are also additional outdoor food and drink kiosks for light bites – The Toastie on T’Hill and The Bar on T’Hill.
The Alma is in the tiny hamlet of Cottonstones with fine views and an extensive outdoor beer garden and dining facilities. The Alma is a splendid country pub with a firelit pub area, a well-appointed restaurant, a large fully heated marquee and a very large car park.
The Alma Inn at Cottonstones is well known for its love of dogs and they are welcome throughout.
The Alma Inn is on the 561 and 562 bus routes, with the bus stop directly outside the pub, taking 9 minutes from Sowerby Bridge or 10 minutes from Ripponden.
Alma Inn Food Service Times Monday – Thursday 12 noon -8:15pm; Friday – Saturday – 12 noon-8:45 pm; Sunday 12 noon-6:30 pm.
Alma Inn Address: Four Lane Ends, Cottonstones, Ripponden HX3 4NS tel:01422823334
Happy Valley Country Pubs: The New Hobbit
The New Hobbit Country Inn and Dining venue is on a 2.5 acres site, situated above Sowerby Bridge on Norland Moor by Ryburn Golf Club with grand views of Calderdale – Happy Valley Country. The Hobbit has a rich history and has grown from a pub in the 1900s to the New Hobbit, a 30-bedroom hotel offering vintage and new modern rooms including a bridal suite, a restaurant, and a 100-cover function suite. The New Hobbit has two car parks with approximately 80 spaces.
The New Hobbit is set high on the hill but less than a mile from Sowerby Bridge railway station. Real ale is available with three changing beers and outside, there is a drinks terrace, offering panoramic views.
If you fancy buying a hotel in Happy Valley (Calderdale) then the New Hobbit is for sale on Rightmove for £1m.
New Hobbit Food Service Times: Friday 5 pm – 8:30 pm; Saturday 12 noon – 8:30 pm and Sunday 12 noon – 7:30 pm
Happy Valley Country Pubs: Casa Bar, Restaurant and Hotel
Set lower in the Calder Valley near Elland, Casa is a restaurant with a separate lively bar and large waterfront terrace – so Casa is not a traditional country pub – but it is open every day and has great lakeside views with water skiing to watch in the summer and it is also near the Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve.
Casa Opening Times: 7 Days per week 12 noon until late
Casa Address: 281 Elland Rd, Brighouse HD6 2RG Tel:01484401717
Happy Valley Country Pubs Interactive Map
Ideas of Where to Visit in Calderdale
Finally, you should also plan to explore the surrounding area. There are a number of attractions in Calderdale – Happy Valley – area so you should take the time to explore them. Our current suggestions are:
Explore Breathtaking Happy Valley Filming Locations with Sally Wainwright!
Best Hebden Bridge Pubs and Bars
Shibden Hall – the Home of Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack)
Halifax Pubs – BBC Radio 6 Music calls Halifax the Shoreditch of the North
The Piece Hall Halifax – The Piece Hall Halifax: Yorkshire’s Number 1 and Best Secular Building
Cromwell Bottom Nature Reserve
Weekend in Halifax – ideas of what to do and where to go