Of course Hebden Bridge has a bridge. The town is in a valley, with many streams and rivers running together. It has many bridges. But “the” bridge of Hebden Bridge is this one, the “old” bridge. It’s just over 500 years old. There probably was a time this was the only bridge across this waterway. It’s hard to imagine, with the town built up all around.
Since I read about bridges non-stop to my son when he was a 2-year-old, I recognized the type of bridge as a stone arch with pointed abutments, which not only help reduce the wear and tear of the water on the bridge supports but provided places for pedestrians to pull out of traffic when a cart went by.
There is no cart traffic across the bridge these days, only pedestrians. I was struck with how steep it is. You literally have to climb up, over and down this bridge.
Now it’s a gathering place for the ducks, and a nice place to pause and take in the view as you walk about the town.
The town is quite fond of their old bridge, and I can see why. With time and use this bridge has earned it’s place as the icon of Hebden Bridge.
