Hebden Bridge, sometimes called The Pennine Centre, is a quite remarkable market town and an ideal place to live. Situated at the heart of the Pennines amid the spectacular scenery of the Bronte country, it was once a thriving centre for the production of wool and woollen goods. The decline of the textile industry in the middle of the 20th century forced the town to take on a new identity. It is now a very popular area for tourists, walkers and narrow boat enthusiasts and a much sought-after commuter base for workers in the commercial centres of Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and York. The transpennine rail service linking Manchester and Leeds calls at Hebden Bridge at regular intervals throughout the day with a journey time to either city of around 40 minutes. There are also rail links to the coastal resorts of Scarborough and Blackpool. Hebden Bridge is less than half an hours drive from the M62 at the heart of the motorway network and is in easy reach of Manchester and Leeds Bradford airports, but only a few minutes walk from acres of unspoilt countryside, some of which is owned by the National Trust. It is the perfect place for commuters to escape from the stress and strain of commercial life and discover the rural splendour and healthy relaxed lifestyle of the South Pennines.