The hills and mountains around the UK and surrounding Greater Manchester are currently in their prettiest phase, awash with bright purple heather.
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.
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 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 Greater Manchester.
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.
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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.
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.
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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
Things To Do
Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
Things To Do
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2023 
