Riot Women, Hebden Bridge and the midlife plot twist you didn’t know you needed

If you’ve watched the BBC’s new Sally Wainwright drama Riot Women, you’ll know exactly why it’s got everyone talking. It’s bold, funny, and full of heart and filmed right here in Hebden Bridge, home of WILD:her.

From the first scene, you can feel the Calder Valley in every frame: the cobbled streets, the misty moors, the fierce community spirit. Wainwright captures the truth of this quirky Yorkshire town and her characters feel like real people you’d meet rolling out of The Trades Club on a Friday night. Messy hair, muddy boots and mouths full of wit. Women who don’t apologise for taking up space.

​Real women. Real Hebden. Real riot.

Riot Women nails what makes Hebden special. It’s full of women rewriting the rules. This is a place where artists, wild swimmers, hikers and midlife adventurers gather. It’s creative, rebellious and absolutely alive.

That’s why WILD:her belongs here. Founded by Kate, a long-time Hebden Bridge resident who knows every woodland trail and secret spot. WILD:her is all about rediscovering your spark in midlife. It’s the menopause escape with a northern twist: fresh air, laughter, connection, and just enough mischief to make you feel gloriously alive again.

Come, join us

If Riot Women has you thinking “I need a bit of that,” pack your boots and come join us. At WILD:her, we don’t do silent meditation or beige buffets. We do muddy walks, big laughs and deep chats that remind you who you are. We’ll amble through the woods, climb the wild hills for views for miles and saunter into a secret sauna. You’ll feast on local food, sip something delicious and laugh around a fire pit until your sides ache (and yes, possibly until you wee your knickers - our pelvic floors aren't what they were!). This is not a retreat. It’s a rebellion.

Your midlife plot twist

Hebden Bridge is more than a setting - it’s a character in its own right. Its creativity, community and connection have inspired writers like Wainwright and women like Kate to live boldly and laugh loudly. There’s something about this valley that calls you back to yourself. Whether you’re navigating menopause, craving space or just want to do something a bit cheeky for yourself, WILD:her is your midlife plot twist. Come join a bunch of like-minded women and discover the freedom hiding in the hills.

Because here in Hebden, we don’t fade quietly into midlife, we dance, stomp and belly laugh our way through it. Ready to join the riot?

👉 Be WILD:her and start your midlife adventure in Hebden Bridge.