Heptonstall Museum lies in the centre of the ancient village of Heptonstall at Church Yard Bottom.
The atmospheric and authentic Grade II-listed building dates back to 1600. Built as a warehouse, it was converted to a grammar school in 1771 and closed in 1889. The Yorkshire Penny Bank occupied it 1898 until 1954. It became a museum in August 1972.
Heptonstall Museum is now volunteer managed as a charity. The opening exhibition ‘Criminal Coiners: Life and Death in Wild West Yorkshire’, tells the story of the notorious Cragg Vale Coiners. King” David Hartley’s grave lies in spitting distance from the Museum’s doors, amidst the atmospheric Graveyard.
The building was recently featured as ‘Barb’s’ in the BBC2 TV production and adaptation of local author, Benjamin Myers’ fictionalised account of the Coiners’ story – ‘The Gallows Pole’.
Opening Times
The Museum is open Thursday to Sunday from 11am till 4.30pm, subject to volunteer availability.
Directions
The Museum is in the centre of the beautiful village of Heptonstall and sits alongside St Thomas’ Churchyard. Meandering through the village, you’ll notice many of Heptonstall’s cottages and terraced houses are characterised by large first-floor windows to maximise the light for weaving. Accessible by public transport, it sits a short journey above Hebden Bridge and is surrounded by exceptional walking routes and stunning landscape. Parking is limited; please follow local signage for directions.
Access
Access is restricted. This is a 16th Century building on a cobbled lane with step access to and from the building.
Further information
Following its closure by Calderdale Council in 2019, the museum recently underwent a community asset transfer to ‘Friends of Heptonstall Museum’ (FOHM).
Now a registered charity and entirely volunteer run, we welcome enthusiastic volunteers who can help us with shifts or offer skills.
Regular special events are held relating to its wide-ranging local history, including regular poetry events.
We welcome support via donations/membership
(just £2 per month).
See socials for tickets/regular updates and info – Links can be found here.
More about the Museum…
Heptonstall Parish Website 
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The ‘Curator’ local resident, Richard, is a star. Calderdale MBC only require him to open the museum between 11am & 4pm. As you have found he frequently works above & beyond the call of duty. A Heptonstall Hero!
My granny and auntie owned the two adjoining cottages in the 50’s where we used to go for holidays as kids, and the church yard was our playground, happy days!
Derek – appreciating you left this comment some time ago. We would very much like to speak to you about your memories of the cottages. If you see this, please reply and we will find a way to contact you privately. Thank you – Friends of Heptonstall Museum
Hi Nicola. My dad lived in one of the cottages as a child between 1946-1950. He would be happy to talk to you about his memories. He lives in Heptonstall. If you’d like to get in touch with me I can pass your details on to him.
Could you please tell me which is 2 Church yard Bottom. My Grandma and her family lived there according to the 1891 Census . I’ve been up to the Museum this morning but cannot find no 2. Was it part of the Museum buildings? Thank you for reading
Hi Denise
It was me (Nicola) on Reception that spoke to you. So 2 was the cottage that is next to the Undercroft (so below where Reception is now) that was No 2 – there’s a great photo on Pennine Horizons
https://www.penninehorizons.org/items/show/35348
Hope that helps.
Hi Nicola thank you for coming back to me. We went down stairs yesterday into the under dwellings and it felt quite amazing to be stood in the room my Great Grandparents and Grandma lived in , in 1891. It felt such a small space for two adults and two children . I’ve seen the photo of the building .Do you know if any books that might help me in my future search. Thanks again Nicola
So the Undercroft is separate to the actual cottages. The two cottage doors are right at the end. They’re not currently in use as they need a lot of maintenance work to make them safe. I’ll pass your query on to the research group and see how they might help.
Are yes I see now after taking another look at the photo that came with the first message. My mistake .Will back up to Hepptonstall probably after the New Year. Thank you for you time