When we think of tall structures, we tend to think of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, The Shard, maybe even Deansgate Square if we’re thinking a little closer to home.
But there’s a structure across the border in West Yorkshire that towers over them all.
The Emley Moor Mast is a broadcasting facility between Huddersfield and Wakefield with some impressive credentials.
It’s the tallest freestanding structure in the entire UK, and the 25th tallest self-supported tower in the world.
It’s taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 38 metres shorter than the iconic Berliner Fernsehturm, Germany’s tallest tower.
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The Grade II-listed Emley Moor Mast is so massive, you can see it dominating the horizon from right across Yorkshire.
It’s not the first transmission tower to stand here – one of its predecessors famously collapsed in 1969 due to a combination of strong winds and heavy ice that had formed around the top of the tower.
Or you can take on a country walk in the rolling hills that surround it, like this 14.8km loop (pack sandwiches) that weaves through several West Yorkshire villages.
It can get muddy in places after wet weather – which we’ve had a lot of – and there are a few stiles to clear, but it’s well worth the effort.
The prettiest walks around Greater Manchester and the north west to try this spring
Daisy Jackson
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter – it’s time for a walk.
There’s nothing quite like the arrival of spring to (so sorry) put a spring in your step, especially after such a dreary few months post-Christmas.
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now, and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – perfect for a spring walk.
We’re talking fields full of daffodils and bluebells and trees dripping with blossom.
Here are some of the prettiest walks to tackle this season around Greater Manchester to make the most of the north west in spring.
It may be a bit of a schlep up the road, but Manchester’s relative proximity to the Lake District is something we should all be taking advantage of.
Although Cumbria is known for its big hills, you don’t have to climb high to get the best spring experiences at Loughrigg Fell.
The lower slopes are often ablaze with beautiful bluebells at this time of year.
Countryfile has pulled together a lovely walking route here.
Salthill Quarry, Clitheroe
This spot in Lancashire actually once lay at the bottom of the ocean, but it’s now a shining example of a northern nature reserve.
It’s home to an incredible array of wildlife and plant life, including masses of wildflowers in the spring and summer that makes for a dream walk for nature lovers.
All those blooms bring loads of birds and butterflies to the area too.
The Geology Trail is a circular walk that will show you all the best bits, with QR codes to scan for extra information on your way round.
Monsal Dale, Peak District
Monsal Dale is beautiful spring walk. Credit: Unsplash, Rob Bates
Surrounded by dales scenery, hiring a few bikes to cycle the Monsal Trail is an absolute Peak District must-do.
But for wildflower lovers, you want to duck off the former railway line and explore Monsal Dale instead.
This handy walking route from Countryfile includes viaduct views as well as encounters with all the new-season blooms.
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
Credit: Facebook, Brockholes
The Brockholes Nature Reserve spans a massive 250 acres and actually only opened around 10 years ago.
It’s drawn in more than one million human visitors and even more feathered and furry ones, including different species of deer, badgers, hares, osprey and red kites.
Tegg’s Nose Country Park really comes into its own in spring, when clambering around the rocky landscape isn’t such sweaty (or slippery) work.
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From May, the meadows around this corner of Cheshire will be a blanket of yellow when the pansies bloom.
It’s not too far to travel from Greater Manchester either, so makes for a great spring walk.
This AllTrails loop around Tegg’s Nose and Macclesfield Forest is a real winner.
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Ahead of the National Trust’s annual BlossomWatch event, the charity has pulled together a list of where to see the best blossom trees across the country.
In the north west it’s Dunham Massey, Speke Hall, Rufford Old Hall and Little Moreton Hall, as well as the grounds around the old mill at Quarry Bank.
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The National Trust says: “The walled garden bursts into life in April with the blooming of the apricot tree, followed by the arrival of apple, pear, nectarine and peach blossom. The Apprentice House Garden is home to apple, plum and pears trees, making it the perfect place to enjoy a picnic under a canopy of blossom.”
Bloomtown Blossom Trail, Manchester city centre
Stunning pink blossom at Parsonage GardensBlossom trees in Ancoats
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, so if you don’t fancy heading out in the countryside, there’s plenty of nature to admire with a walk in town itself.
The National Trust and Castlefield Viaduct have created a walking trail around Manchester that’s all about celebrating the blossom.
It loops from the Viaduct down Canal Street, through Ancoats, and back again, taking in landmarks like the Central Library, Parsonage Gardens, and the Rochdale Canal.
Bloomtown – the beautiful blossom walking trail through Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester never looks better than it does in the spring, when all the blossom trees burst back to life – and now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over town.
The National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
The digital Bloomtown Map will tell you a little something about each hotspot as you arrive, whether you’re interested in the history of the place or just want to know what particular flower you’re looking at.
This year’s trail again starts up at Castlefield Viaduct, the incredible industrial structure that’s been brought back to life by the National Trust and turned into an urban sky park.
It then weaves through landmarks in the city centre like the Rochdale canal, Parsonage Gardens, and Manchester Cathedral.
Blossom trees in AncoatsPurple blossom flowers on St Peter’s Square in ManchesterStunning pink blossom at Parsonage Gardens
And there are five branches of the trail to check out this year too, covering Hulme and South Manchester, East Manchester, Salford and Trafford.
Because this is Manchester, and our weather is famously all over the place, not all of the blossom trees have kicked into action yet (and some of the ones that bloomed early are dropping their petals like confetti already).
But April is usually the best time to see the blossom in full bloom – which makes the Easter weekend perfectly placed to get out for a stroll.
See the full Bloomtown Map below, or click here for the blossom trail around Manchester
All the places on the Bloomtown Map 2024 around Manchester
Alexandra Park
Angel Meadow
Ardwick Green
Birchfields Park
Manchester Metropolitan University Birley Orchard
Blackleach Country Park
Bridgewater Community Garden
Castlefield Viaduct
Clifton Country Park
Cutting Room Square
Dukes Drive
Gartside Gardens
Hullard Park
Hulme Community Garden Centre
Hulme Park
Manchester Cathedral
Mayfield Park
Ordsall Hall
Parsonage Gardens
Peel Park
Philips Park
Platt Fields Park
Queens Park
RHS Bridgewater
Rochdale Canal Lock 87
Rochdale Canal Lock 89
Sackville Gardens
Sadler’s Yard
Salford Quays
Science and Industry Museum
St George’s Park
St John’s Gardens
St Peter’s Square
Tariff Street
Thomas Street Pocket Park
University of Manchester Students’ Union
Waterside Arts
Victoria Park
The Whitworth
Whitworth Street West
Wythenshawe Park and Gardens
Blossom on Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Bloomtown Map is a blossom trail walk around Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Pick up a recyclable paper copy of the Bloomtown map at