This is the time of year where it’s particularly difficult to drag yourself off the sofa and into the great outdoors.
The weather isn’t quite crisp enough to feel festive and most of us (even the pumpkin spice latte, cardigan-clad crew) are missing the more reliable warmth of the summer months.
But autumn is here, like it or not, and it definitely has its perks.
One of which is the undeniable beauty the season brings.
It’s not just the blazing red, orange, yellow and brown leaves that suddenly take over the green spaces around the UK.
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It’s also in the sunsets and sunrises that become so much easier to catch while the days are shorter (you have to admit, the commutes are prettier when they coincide with sunrise).
The riverside walk at Hardcastle Crags. Credit: Unsplash
And there aren’t many places better to soak in all the autumn beauty than Hardcastle Crags, just across the border in West Yorkshire.
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The National Trust site sits between Leeds and Manchester and is a popular day trip destination for Mancs, given the trains that run regularly to Hebden Bridge.
A walking route around Hardcastle Crags at this time of year will take you through a landscape of blazing orange trees, babbling streams, and dappled sunlight.
When you catch a golden autumnal day the leaves will crunch underfoot, but even on a soggy day the leaf mulch has its own special kind of beauty here.
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There are two walking routes between the main car park and Gibson Mill, a former 19th century cotton mill which is now home to a lovely cafe.
One will take you down to the river, where wooden boardwalks weave right along the water’s edge.
There are even stepping stones you can use to scamper across the river – a great Instagram pic, or just a way to keep the kids entertained for a few minutes.
A walk around Hardcastle Crags in Autumn. Credit: The Manc Group
The other route goes up through the upper woodland, where pine trees loom and you get a great view of the valley below.
For an easy loop, you can do both – a stroll through the trees, a stop for coffee and cake, then return along the river (or vice versa).
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But with 15 miles of footpaths, you can explore way beyond that.
The National Trust’s list of walks includes everything from a wheelchair and pram-accessible estate track to peaceful woodland loops, to rocky scrambles and former railway lines.
And when you’re done with Hardcastle Crags itself, there’s a world-class restaurant in the gorgeous town centre itself.
Coin sits in the shell of the former Lloyd’s bank, with exposed brick and massive period windows, and specialises in natural wine and small plates.
When The Manc Eats visited, we found plates of freshly-cut meat and cheese served alongside ice-cold batched classic cocktails, where ‘quality is key, and it shines through on the plate’.
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Our reviewer said: “With its higgledy-piggledy stone mill houses, surrounding woodland, hidden waterfalls and treasure-trove charity shops, Hebden Bridge is a popular attraction all of its own for those wanting to venture beyond the city. Coin is simply the cherry on top.”
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Travel & Tourism
New flights to magical Christmas Market city launch from Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new route from Manchester that will whisk passengers away to a world-famous Christmas Markets city has launched.
EasyJet is now jetting off to Nuremberg from Manchester Airport, opening up a brand-new direct route to Bavaria’s second city.
The pretty German destination is famed across the globe for its traditional Christmas Markets, as well as its medieval architecture, rich history, and Franconian food and drink.
The Nuremberg Christmas Market has just been named among the cheapest in Europe too, with mulled wine usually costing around £3.85 (compared to the £5.50 of Manchester Christmas Markets last year).
And with return flights from just £64 per person, it actually might be a cheaper way to join in the festivities than celebrating on home turf.
Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria, behind Munich, and boasts a beautiful and walkable old town that makes it an ideal choice for a short break.
The world-famous Christmas Market – known here as Christkindlesmarkt – dates back centuries and spills out across the city’s picturesque Hauptmarkt square with traditional wooden stalls selling handcrafted gifts, decorations and festive treats.
You’ll also find traditional winter food and drink like Gluhwein, roasted almonds, and gingerbread, soundtracked by live choirs and carol singers.
And don’t miss Drei im Weggla, the city’s famous chipolata-sized grilled pork sausages that are typically served three at a time in a crusty bread roll, then topped with sauerkraut and German mustard.
New direct flights to Nuremberg from Manchester have launched. Credit: Pixabay, ArminEP
You can also explore attractions here like the Nuremberg Castle, perched high above the city, with panoramic views across the Old Town, then wander some of Europe’s best-preserved city walls and cobbled streets.
Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect people from across the North with the destinations they want to travel to – so it’s incredibly exciting to see easyJet launching direct flights to Nuremberg from Manchester, just in time for the city’s iconic Christmas markets.
“This service makes us the only UK airport outside London with a direct connection to Bavaria’s second city.
“Nuremberg is a hotbed of German culture, history, cuisine and architecture – there’s so much to explore within the city and we’re sure it’ll prove extremely popular with travellers from Manchester.”
Nuremberg is a magical winter city in Bavaria. Credit: Unsplash, Ram Lanka
Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said: “We’re really pleased to be celebrating the launch of our first flight from Manchester to Nuremberg today and welcoming customers onboard our newest route from the North West.
“Nuremberg is a fantastic addition to our network and an ideal destination for a winter city break, from its famous Christmas markets to its fascinating history and medieval architecture.
“The launch further expands the choice we offer our customers from Manchester, providing even more great-value connectivity across Europe and beyond.”
Flights from Manchester to Nuremberg will operate twice per week until early January 2027, on Mondays and Fridays, with return fares from only £64pp.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd October 2025 
