Christmas at Hardcastle Crags

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Christmas decorations at Gibson Mill.

Christmas at Hardcastle Crags in Hebden Bridge is a magical time of year. With the leaves fallen from the trees, the crags are visible in all their glory. Being a steep sided valley the days are really short and you should plan to finish your visit by 3 pm.

Below: It often snows at the crags, transforming the forest into a winter wonderland.

Remember to wrap up warm and wear appropriate footwear in the crags, it is often cold, wet and slippery in Winter.

There are plenty of activities to keep you busy, from walking and sledding to visiting the Christmas market in town.

Here are some of the things you can do at Hardcastle Crags during Christmas:

  • Take a walk through the woods and enjoy the winter scenery.
  • Walk your dog.
  • Buy a real sustainably sourced UK grown Christmas tree.
  • Go sledding down the hills.
  • Visit the Christmas market in Hebden and buy some festive gifts.
  • NT Christmas activities for kids.
  • Enjoy a hot chocolate and a mince pie in the Weaving shed cafe.

Hardcastle Crags can be a great place to spend Christmas with family and friends. It's a beautiful setting, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy, and you're sure to have a magical time.

The cafe and mill are only open at weekends and during holidays from November till April.

Here are some additional details about each of the activities mentioned above:

  • Walking sledding: There are several walking trails that wind through the woods at Hardcastle Crags. The trails are all well-marked and easy to follow. If you're looking for a challenge, you can try the climb to the top of the crags. For a more leisurely stroll, you can follow the path along the river.
  • Buy a Christmas tree: Sustainably sourced and UK grown real Christmas trees and bases are on sale during December.
  • Sledding: When it snows there are a few open fields dotted along the valley that are suitable for sledding.
  • Christmas activities: On select days during the Christmas season the NT sometimes puts on kids activities.
  • Hot chocolate and mince pies: No Christmas is complete without a hot chocolate and a mince pie. The Weaving shed cafe at Hardcastle Crags sells these treats, so you can warm up and refuel after a day of exploring.

Autumn and winter storms can water log the ground and make the paths wet and slippery so extra care is needed at this time of year.

Below: Heavy rain saturated the ground and turns Hebden water in a raging torrent of flood water.

I hope this information helps you plan your Christmas trip to Hardcastle Crags.