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
True North Brew Co. to host outdoor fan zones across Sheffield for the World Cup
Football isn't just coming home, it's coming to True North Brew Co.
It's almost time to get your very best England merch on and get cheering on the lads in the 2026 World Cup.
Luckily for us, True North Brew Co. will be providing the ultimate scenes with a number of fan zones across the city.
The hospitality group will be transforming a number of their bars and venues into football viewing hotspots throughout the tournament.
The Abbeydale Ballroom will be on of the city's largest outdoor fan zones, showing every England fixture across multiple screens so no one misses out on the action.
Not only that, but The Ballroom's car park will be converted into a large-scale viewing area featuring a huge LED screen for fans to watch matches together.
Elsewhere, The British Oak in Mosborough will be hosting its very own outdoor screening zone with a brand-new LED screen.
Also getting in on the action is The Common Room, Forum, The Old Grindstone, Riverside and The Broadfield - it's safe to say True North have got us covered.
A spokesperson for True North Brew Co said: “There’s nothing quite like tournament football in Sheffield. Whether you’re watching in one of our fan zones, booking your own private viewing area, or joining hundreds of other fans for the big England games, we want our venues to be the best places in the city to experience the World Cup together.
“The atmosphere is going to be incredible and hopefully we’ll all be celebrating deep into the tournament.”
You can find out more about True North Brew Co's World Cup schedule here.
Lucy & Yak is turning its stores into a dedicated Preloved hub for the entire weekend
Clementine Hall
Lucy & Yak is turning its Sheffield store into a dedicated PreLoved hub for the entire weekend.
If you're all about celebrating second-hand shopping, then this is the event for you.
Since 2023, Lucy & Yak has kept a more than 42,000 Yaks in circulation through its incredible PreLoved scheme.
The concept is simple, customers bring in and return their old Yaks, and once processed receive a money-off voucher to put towards their next purchase. So everyone's a winner, basically.
Images: The Sheff
And don't worry if your old pieces are damaged, as these are lovingly repaired or upcycled by their talented Re:Yak Studio team in Yorkshire before being sold on in-store to find their new homes.
This bank holiday weekend, from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May, the entire Sheffield store will be transformed with a huge PreLoved section for you to browse.
Images: The Sheff
It's a unique opportunity to shop your favourite second-hand Lucy & Yak pieces, with special one-off items and old gems for you to get your hands on. Get in.
The special event is the latest milestone in Lucy & Yak’s broader commitment to circularity, which also includes its (Im)Perfect sales, a Facebook Marketplace for buying, selling and swapping, and Re:Yak workshops held throughout the year - community sessions that help people mend and customise their clothing.
Images: The Sheff
Lydia Coley, Managing Director at Lucy & Yak said: “We’re so excited to bring the PreLoved Weekender to our stores this May. Lucy & Yak has always been built around community, creativity and doing things a little differently, and PreLoved brings all of that together.
"We're incredibly proud of keeping over 42,000 Yaks in circulation. Every second-hand Yak has a story, and this weekend is about helping those pieces find their next home in a fun way”
So if you're looking for a fresh new colourful wardrobe for the summer, get yourself to Lucy & Yak this weekend to shop smart.
The Hoot -
24th August 2023 
