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
Sheffield put on official flood alert by Environment Agency as torrential rain hits city
After months of dry weather, heavy rain has fallen on Sheffield raising concerns.
If you're out and about today, we hope you've got a rain coat and umbrella with you.
Because after what seems like months of nonstop hot and dry weather, the flood gates have well and truly opened on Sheffield.
So much so that experts at the Environment Agency have issued flood alerts for nine areas in and around Sheffield.
The flood alert includes Blackburn Brook, the Lower River Rother, the Porter Brook Catchment the River Doe Lea catchment, the River Holme Catchment, the River Sheaf Catchment, the Upper River Don catchment, the Upper River Rother catchment and the Whiston Brook catchment.
Image: Environment Agency
The alert states: "Rising river levels today may lead to flooding. Flooding is possible on August 27 2026 due to the heavy and thundery downpours expected today.
“Locations most affected will be low lying land and roads near rivers. We are closely monitoring the situation as river levels may rise suddenly and cause surface water flooding.
“Take care and avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water.”
Maps gave been issued by the agency that show the areas covered by the alert, including land near the Don and parts of Kelham Island, Hillsborough College, Hillsborough Stadium close to Penistone Road and land near Holme Lane and Rivelin Valley Road.
The alert comes as The Met Office states: “A broad band of thunderstorms and heavy rain will move north across England and Wales on Thursday, perhaps becoming slow moving in the afternoon and evening. Accumulations of 20-30 mm in an hour is possible locally, while 30 to 40 mm can be expected fairly widely and up to 50 mm in a 12 hour period in places."
Acclaimed fine-dining restaurant Six and A Half to launch new concept in Sheffield food hall
Daisy Jackson
One of Sheffield's top restaurants, Six and A Half, has revealed plans for a new concept - and they're moving into a food hall.
Chef Leslie Buddington will be bringing his acclaimed open-fire cooking concept into the kitchens at Cambridge Street Collective.
But things will be slightly different to his Dyson Place restaurant - instead, Leslie will launch The Other Half, which will have a more 'relaxed and accessible' approach to his cooking.
At The Other Half, he'll be serving a menu that focuses on seasonal produce, bold flavours, and sharing dishes, with a huge focus once again on wood-fired cooking.
Leslie has teased that one stand-out dish customers can look forward to with his new concept will be nduja stuffed chicken wings.
The Other Half is the latest chef-driven operation to move into Cambridge Street Collective, the food hall that opened back in 2024 with a whopping 20 independent kitchens inside.
Previous dishes at Six and A HalfInside Six and A Half in SheffieldPrevious dishes at Six and A Half
Operated by Blend Family, the food hall has a dedicated 'Food Partners' concept which acts as an incubator for chefs and restaurants to develop and scale their concepts .
Leslie, founder of The Other Half, said: "Joining Cambridge Street Collective feels like the right step for The Other Half.
"It’s a strong platform for independent kitchens, and I’m excited to bring our concept into this space."
Over at Six and A Half, he'll continue to provide his fantastic, flavourful open-fire small plates - if you can get a seat at the chef's pass, you're in for one of Sheffield's hottest dining experiences.
The Other Half will open at Cambridge Street Collective on 9 September.
The Hoot -
24th August 2023 
