Tucked away in the hills of lower Wharfedale lies a hidden treasure steeped in history and chilling folklore.

Hebden sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s designated conservation areas – this particular settlement stands on the site of an ancient Bronze Age community.

Today’s popular picnic destination harbours a sinister past. Local folklore suggested the gorge was inhabited by malevolent trolls who would murder people by launching stones at them.

Even more terrifying, the cavern at the passage’s end was supposedly home to a wolf-like creature that would slay anyone who dared look into its eyes, reports Yorkshire Live.

This legend is thought to have influenced Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle’s renowned tale The Hound of the Baskervilles, according to Yorkshire Dales.

Roman settlers also established themselves in the vicinity – with 33 silver denarii coins discovered in the surrounding terrain – supporting evidence that Romans inhabited the region between 30 and 170 AD.

Along the village’s main street, you’ll discover something unexpected. Within the Hebden Methodist Church, formerly a school, sits a delightful tea room.

Outside the Old School Tea Room stands a postbox painted gold in honour of Yorkshire’s Olympic gold medallist – rower Andrew Triggs Hodge. One Trip Advisor user described it as “the perfect pit stop”.

They wrote: “We visited the Old School Tea Room while doing a loop walk from Linton, along the river, via Hebden and to Grassington.

“It was about halfway, and we were ready for cake! Lovely, characterful building, inside and out, friendly staff and a great range of cakes. I opted for a raspberry and white chocolate one. Delicious! And all with a really nice cup of Yorkshire tea. I’ll definitely be back!”.

For those passionate about birdwatching, the area boasts an impressive array of species worth dusting off your binoculars for, including Canada Geese, Teal and Reed Bunting.

Hebden’s more contemporary heritage is defined by its mining past. Evidence of this industrial chapter remains visible along the well-trodden Lead Mining Trail, which begins at Yarnbury north of Hebden.

The route guides walkers through Orefield, a principal mine during Victorian times, whilst skirting the edges of Hebden itself.