The White Lion, Heptonstall

The White Lion is a traditional pub, without television, juke box, gaming machines or WiFi.

We serve real ales, real ciders and have a vast collection of Gin and Whisky, along with great home made food including many vegetarian and vegan dishes. The Calderdale Way walking route passes through Heptonstall, right past the pub.

The oldest part of the building is at the rear of the present layout and dates back to the early 14th Century, at which time it faced the opposite way onto the Pack Horse route from Hebden Bridge to Nelson and Burnley. This ran along the rear of the present building.

In the early 15th Century the new road was constructed and the old building was extended and the present frontage constructed facing the new road. Many of the buildings along Towngate and Smithwell Lane were constructed around this time, including the Cloth Hall, which was originally a single story building.

The pub was frequented by the Cragg Coiners during the late 16th Century. We have a display of dies and coins in our dining room, which is certainly worth a visit.

Visitors are asked not to bring your car or motor vehicle to the village if at all possible. Because of its unique hilltop location and ancient heritage, the roads in Heptonstall are narrow and parking is extremely limited

To avoid problems and enjoy your visit to this fascinating village, VisitCalderdale asks that wherever possible, you take public transport or walk to Heptonstall.

There are frequent Metro buses from Hebden Bridge. Please visit www.wymetro.com for full timetable details and to plan your journey.

You can walk up to Heptonstall via the Buttress, the steep cobbled pathway that begins towards the rear of Hebden Bridge Town Hall, off Royd Terrace / Old Gate.

Please note this is a demanding walk, as the Buttress is cobbled and steep. The Buttress brings you out onto Heptonstall Road, where you may complete your walk to Heptonstall on pavements and will arrive in the village by Town Gate Tearooms and Heptonstall Post Office.

If you must drive to Heptonstall, the only place that all motor vehicles are asked to park is at Heptonstall Bowling Club, which is clearly signposted.

Look out for the parking signs on your approach to the village and follow these, turning into Valley View Road and then continuing along Acres Lane to Heptonstall Bowling Club.

Please don’t park on any residential roads as this may severely affect residents. It is then a short walk (approx. 480metres, 0.3 mile) to the village from the Bowling Club.

Please follow the advice above to help ensure that Heptonstall remains a beautiful and happy place for both residents and visitors alike and enjoy your visit to one of the most historic villages in Yorkshire.

Did you know? The White Lion also doubled up as a filming location for the well-known TV production Happy Valley?  You can find out more about filming in Calderdale, and even build your very own personalised film trail, using the Film Calderdale Movie Map.