Heptonstall

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View of Heptonstall across the Hebden valley with Stoodley Pike in the distance

Heptonstall is a small village in the metropolitan district of Calderdale in West Yorkshire.

Historically a centre for weaving, it was also the site of a battle in 1643 during the early part of the English Civil War. The foundation stone of its octagonal Methodist chapel, the oldest still in continued use, was laid by John Wesley in 1764. The American poet Sylvia Plath, who was married to Ted Hughes from nearby Mytholmroyd, is buried in the new St. Thomas a' Beckett's churchyard. Plath's headstone is regularly vandalised. It is thought that this is done by feminists: attempts are made to remove Ted Hughes's name from the memorial.

The older churchyard claims "King" David Hartley amongst notable graves there. Hartley was founder of the Cragg Coiners and lived as a rogue in the Calderdale area until he was hanged at Tyburn near York in 1774.

Heptonstall cottages and terraced houses were traditionally characterised by their large first floor windows to maximise the light for weaving.

The village is a popular day trip destination for tourists and walkers, especially in the warmer summer months, although there are few facilities other than two pubs "The Cross" and "The White Lion" and a small Post Office (the original Post Office, on Smithwell Lane, is now a residential property) to cater for this regular influx of seasonal visitors.

In the mid 1980s the paved road through Heptonstall was torn up and replaced with cobblestones, at the same time the existing concrete street lights were replaced with a quainter alternative which resemble cast-iron gas lamps from the late 19th century. This was probably done with a nod towards tourism and also as a traffic calming measure.