Great Britain

A glimpse of Brontë country

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Haworth is a picturesque Yorkshire village famous for being the home of literary giants the Brontës.

It’s a train and bus ride away from my home in Manchester, and I paid a visit on a sunny autumn day.

Enjoy the photographs and read more below

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When you arrive in Howarth on the Brontë bus from Hebden Bridge you’re drawn up hilly Main Street, lined with dark stone cottages and a plethora of shops and eating stops for visitors.

At the top of the hill is the little parish church and parsonage, home to the Brontë family and the sisters who penned Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre among others there.

Howarth Parsonage, home of the Brontës

The Brontës lived at Howarth Parsonage

The graveyard is filled with old headstones and was intensely atmospheric yet peaceful under the dappled autumn sunlight.

It’s impossible not to contemplate where the Brontës trod and what their lives were like in this remote place.

There are various pathways leading out of the village and to the beautiful surrounding countryside. You can take a lengthy hike to the Brontë waterfall or a gentler meander to Howarth viewpoints like I did.

A last essential stop was a delicious plate of pie and chips at The Fleece Inn, one of Howarth’s surprisingly numerous pubs.

The village is a real mecca for literary types and casual tourists alike and can get very busy. A weekday out of season would be my tip for a contemplative, memorable visit.

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Yorkshire: A coastal road trip

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At the end of the summer I packed my bag and went on a really enjoyable road trip along the spectacular coast of North Yorkshire – without getting into a car. 

I visited four places on my journey and captured them with my camera. View the photos and read more below.

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I boarded a three-hour TransPennine Express train journey from Manchester to Redcar in the north-east of England, and a shuttle train took me the short distance to the coast.

Saltburn was my first port of call, but some grey, drizzly weather curtailed my stay. It’s a traditional seaside resort with sandy beaches, a slender pier and a funicular built for genteel Victorians and now a novelty for visitors. I caught the X4 bus which runs along this Yorkshire coastal stretch – my regular lift for the next few days.

Staithes is a pretty harbour village with visitors in mind, with many places to eat and buy gifts. When the sun came out, the colours popped and it was a pleasure to explore. Climb higher for bird’s eye views, clifftop panoramas and a breathtaking sunset if you’re lucky. I stayed overnight in a comfy pub with a hearty breakfast to set me up for another day on the coast.

Runswick Bay isn’t far on the bus. While smaller than Staithes, it’s sat beside a beautiful curve of sand. It feels far more tranquil than the likes of Saltburn and is a place to relax and enjoy being by the sea. There are fewer amenities but that may well keep the hordes away.

Whitby, my final stop, is a coastal mecca with a lot of offer, from its Dracula connection, astonishing ruined abbey on the clifftop and tasty seafood. Its streets take some exploring and this hilly town is full of steps. I stayed here for the night and beat the crowds with a very early start for sunrise – my top tip if you want Whitby to yourself.

My mini adventure ended with a train back to Manchester. There are some trips that are a headache without a car, but this wasn’t one of them. I’m still looking back on these photographs and enjoying those recent summer memories.

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Two seasons on the reservoir

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Entwistle Reservoir in Lancashire is just a 30 minute train journey from Manchester. It’s a beauty spot that changes greatly with the seasons. Enjoy the photographs and read more below

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My first visit to Entwistle was on a chilly February morning. The area was cloaked in a ghostly blanket of fog while the reservoir’s levels were very healthy.

Fast forward to July and a summer heatwave with piercing blue skies. The waterways were noticably depleted and green blooms of algae were taking hold. It looked a very different place to the winter.

A walk to the magnificent Entwistle Viaduct on both visits was a real contrast. In winter it reflected perfectly in plump waters. By summer the scene was drought-ridden and tainted by algae.

No matter what the season is, Entwistle and the adjacent Wayoh reservoir is a popular place for walkers and their dogs, with the calm waterways and surrounding tranquil forests.

Back in the heat of July, I had to stop for a refreshing drink and hearty pub lunch at the Strawbury Duck before heading back to Manchester.

Entwistle Reservoir is a place I’d go back to for a good walk with my camera and to observe the changing seasons.

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A wonderful Yorkshire wander

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Yorkshire is just a hop from Manchester, and I took a day trip to explore the scenic Calder Valley. CONTINUES BELOW

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The thriving canalside town of Hebden Bridge appears at first glance to be traditionally Yorkshire but is filled with lovely little independent shops and cafes, making it a real draw for visitors.

It is also home to a sizeable LGBT community, making it an unexpected place to find rainbow flags proudly flying and gay friendliness.

I decided to take an uphill hike to the village of Heptonstall, enjoying delightful views of Hebden Bridge and surrounding countryside as I climbed.

Historic Heptonstall is a beautiful little place of dark stone cottages, but most famed for its shell of a church which was abandoned in 1847 after a devastating storm. A new church was built next door. The ruins still feel oddly alive.

I got so caught up in this abandoned building that I forgot to visit the grave of poet Sylvia Plath. Next time…

The visit ended with a hearty pub lunch and getting caught in a sudden shower of rain. I would return to this area and heartily recommend it.

Have you visited Hebden Bridge? Why not share your impressions below.

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Beyond Blackpool

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The glitzy, brash UK seaside resort of Blackpool is a huge tourist attraction. But keep going and there’s more Lancashire seaside to visit. CONTINUES BELOW

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I arrived by train from Manchester at Blackpool North station, and jumped on the sleek, modern tram service at North Pier heading north out of the town.

My stop was Little Bispham and the start of my Wyre Coast-hugging walk. First stop was Cleveleys and its elaborate concrete promenade and sea defences, which have Brutalist and Communist era vibes.

The sea front is also peppered with art works, the most prominent being Mary’s Shell which was being lapped by the high tide.

It’s easy to stay at Cleveleys but I pressed on along the wide seaside path, an invigorating trudge around this nub of land. At the top is Rossall Point, hard to miss with its striking observation tower made for bird watchers.

Stark and minimalist

The path leads you to Fleetwood, a small seaside town with two lighthouses (one little, one large), the elegantly domed Marine Hall and a smattering of beach huts and a few dunes.

Fleetwood marks the northern end of the Blackpool tramway, so a convenient way to return – unless you’re feeling energetic and fancy walking back. 

This stretch of coast was a welcome getaway from city life and a contrast the bright lights of Blackpool. Photographically it was quite stark and minimalist with eye-catching architecture.

So head to the Wyre Coast if you get the chance, you’ll enjoy the ride.

The small beachside lighthouse at Fleetwood

The ‘baby brother’ lighthouse at Fleetwood