Ripponden and the Ryburn Valley

The deeply rural Ryburn Valley slips away at Sowerby Bridge. The Ryburn cradles the conservation village of Ripponden where the 14th century Bridge Inn hosts the UK Pork Pie Festival. The Michelin rated gastro-pub The Millbank is located on the hillside above Ripponden.

The village developed where the packhorse routes of Elland and Halifax met and then crossed into Lancashire. Originally there was a ford over the river, followed later by a timber bridge, a stone bridge (1533) and the present day mid-eighteenth century bridge. The construction of the Elland turnpike road in 1772 brought an additional bridge. Because of this, the settlement acted as a focus for the activities in surrounding rural areas including Barkisland, Rishworth and Soyland, a role it still fulfills today.

The area is of archaeological importance due to  the Roman Road which leads over nearby Blackstone Edge, a ridge of millstone grit, and is also rich in bronze age and neolithic remains.  The Oldham road climbs south, offering dramatic views over Rishworth Moor of the UK's highest motorway - the M62. The moor itself is an area of outstanding natural beauty, home to a wealth of wildlife and a series of ancient round barrow burial sites - 'Cat Stones'.