Museums and galleries

Heptonstall Museum

Museum details

Heptonstall museum lies in the centre of the ancient village of Heptonstall, in the Old Grammar School Building.

Some of the original features of the school remain including the black oak desks. The displays focus on the changing importance of this charming village from prehistoric times to the present day and cover the compelling story of the infamous Cragg Vale Coiners and Heptonstall's part in the English Civil War.

Free admission.

The ancient village of Heptonstall sits on top of a steep hill on the north side of the Calder Valley, overlooking Hebden Bridge.

The Building

Set in what was once the Grammar School, a number of original features remain, including oak desks, headmaster's chair and stone fireplace.

Exhibitions & Displays

Prehistory of the area
The Cragg Vale Coiners
Battle of Heptonstall & English Civil War
Community Resource Centre
Oral & Video histories of people from Heptonstall and the surrounding area
Temporary exhibitions

The Village

Heptonstall Museum is the ideal starting point for exploring this intimate and charming village. Other important features of the village include:

the ruined church, founded between 1256 and 1260 with remains from the 15th Century.
the Cloth Hall (1545 / 1558) where local handloom weavers brought their cloth for sale to dealers.
the Methodist Church, built in 1764, which is the oldest surviving Methodist Church in the world that is in continuous use.
'Weaver's Square' - a fine example of different types of Yorkshire paving from cobbles to flagstones.
the traditional Pace Egg Play which takes place on Good Friday.