There are loads of spots around the North West where you can head out into the hills and enjoy the colourful late-summer landscapes.
From the Peak District on our doorstep to spots across the hills right here in Yorkshire, it's well worth sticking your hiking boots on and getting out for a walk.
And given that the hills and mountains around the UK and surrounding Leeds are currently in their prettiest phase, awash with bright purple heather, it would be rude not to check them out, reports The Manc.
The flowering shrub normally first shows its tiny purple blooms in late July but will keep flowering for a couple more weeks yet, usually displaying its bright colours until September.
From the Peak District on our doorstep to spots across the hills right here in Yorkshire, it's well worth sticking your hiking boots on and getting out for a walk.
Here are a few of our favourite places and walks to see heather around West Yorkshire and beyond...
Ilkley Moor
Just above the spa town of Ilkley is Ilkley Moor, where the heather grows around a rocky outcrop known as the Cow and Calf, which people say resembles a cow sheltering her calf.
It's a popular spot for all sorts of activities, including rock climbing, bird watching and hiking.
This National Trust site is slap bang between Leeds and Manchester and, blissfully, is on the train line - so you don't even need to be able to drive to visit.
There are plenty of well-planned routes to follow, but if you want an only-slightly challenging walk, head on the 4.5 mile circular around Deer Hill, which is lined with heather.
This large open space near Sowerby Bridge has so much heather at the right time of year, it's like someone's rolled out the purple carpet.
It's really at its best at this time of year and there are tonnes of pubs nearby to wind down in afterwards.
Hope Valley
Win Hill. Credit: Unsplash
The Hope Valley is a heather hotspot - walks at Bamford Edge, Win Hill, Higger Tor, Owler Tor and Stanage Edge are all stunning.
You really can't go wrong in this rugged, rocky corner of the Peak District, but it might be the staggering symmetry of the heather climbing beside the footpaths of Win Hill that gets out vote.
Walks along Blackden Brook aren't for the inexperienced - it's more of a rocky scramble, complete with streams and tough terrain, than a gentle Sunday hike.
But you'll be rewarded by splashes of purple heather sticking out from this incredible rocky landscape.
The steep climb up to Baslow Edge is well worth it for the sweeping countryside views that greet you at the top.
On a really clear day you can see all the way to Chatsworth House, and even on cloudier days you've got a good chance of spotting a Highland Cow wandering around the rugged landscape.
Featured image: Unsplash
The Sheff
The factory shop in Batley where you can get your favourite biscuits for £2 or less
Just outside of Leeds in Batley, there’s a factory shop selling all of your favourite biscuit varieties for less than £2.
Sweet treat suppliers Fox’s Biscuits have been operating in Batley over 160 years with its family run business serving families across Europe, North America and of course, West Yorkshire.Â
These cookie creators are known for producing some of the biggest names in the confectionery industry including Maryland, Paterson’s, and all the brands above.
Whether you’re Jammie Dodger obsessed, a Party Ring preacher or a Wagon Wheel warrior, you’ll find all this and more at this biscuit factory shop - for cheaper than it is on the shelves.
If you’re after a biscuit bargain, look no further. You can get your hands on retail-ready and pre-packaged milk chocolate or millionaire’s cookies for only 85p.
Those much-loved bickies we were talking about before are all up for grabs: packs of Wagon Wheels for £1, Jammie Dodgers priced at 60p and even party rings at 50p, yes please.Â
You can also pick up their assorted biscuit trays that you’d usually expect to see on supermarket shelves like Fox’s classic biscuit selection, chocolatey biscuit selection and more.Â
Or if you have a sweet spot for a particular biscuit from one of their many boxed varieties you can get bags of individual flavours like the white chocolate rounds and triple chocolate cookies all for £1.50.Â
There’s even an opportunity for you to grab some Fox’s branded items like a reusable water bottle, tote bag and even sticky notes for when you plan your shopping list for your next visit.
The factory shop’s opening hours are quite limited with this vendor only opening four days a week from 9am to 3pm and 2pm on a Saturday.
Fox’s Biscuits factory shop is open four days a week from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on a Saturday, if you’re after sorting out your biscuit fix.
Inside the historic Sheffield fishmonger that will cook you your supper
Clementine Hall
You may have popped into JH Mann on Sharrow Vale for your fish, but have you ever been for lunch?
Founded by the Mann family in 1921, this fishmonger has been a part of Sheffield's high street for over a decade.
The business was taken over by chefs Christian Szurko and Scott Mills in 2005, and what unfollowed was something very special indeed.
JH Mann of course sells all the fresh fish and seafood you could think of, as well as a fabulous selection of fish pies, fish stocks and other fish-related products.
Images: The Sheff
But if you don’t fancy taking it home to cook, they’ll even cook it for you themselves.Â
Sister venue to top seafood spot Native that they opened in 2021, you just know it’s going to be good but let us tell you, it smashes ‘good’ out of the park.
The concept is simple and lacking any frills, but that's how we like it.
Images: The Sheff
Simply take a pick of what’s on offer, whether that be oysters, tuna, scallops, salmon, and they’ll cook it up with whatever they’ve got that day. It could be with their homemade chilli oil, their caper butter or melted into an unctuous risotto - and the best part is, they’re charging shop prices instead of restaurant prices.Â
The aim is to get people eating and trying more fish, which is easier to do when you're not paying top dollar for it.
There aren't many seats but if you get a spot overlooking the street, then you're in for a glorious afternoon of eating delicious fish and people watching.
Images: The Sheff
Of course it is just a fishmongers, so you don't have a working bar. But you are encouraged to support the nearby local businesses, like grabbing a bottle of white wine to go with your oysters from independent wine shop Staremoreboss which is literally next door.
They've even got a dedicated fridge section for people dining at JH Mann and have all the fish-wine pairings you could desire.
This really is a special place, it feels like an exclusive lunch club that you want to be a member of time, and time again.Â
They're open Tuesday - Saturday and lunch is served between 11-3pm.
The Hoot -
24th August 2023 
