Yorkshire

7 moments of 2022

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2022 will soon be consigned to history. It was a year when Covid restrictions palpably melted away, although overseas travel remained elusive for me. 

But I visited many places closer to home in Manchester, and the photographs flowed. I’ve picked seven moments that made new memories – and revived old ones. A Happy New Year to you all!

What were your standout moments of 2022? Feel free to comment below.

NORFOLK NOSTALGIA

In August I visited Norfolk in East Anglia, with an emotional stop in the market town of Wymondham, my home for much of the 1990s. The seaside town of Cromer – also with personal connections – was sun-kissed and photogenic.

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Cromer pier in Norfolk at dusk

SNAP HAPPY IN MANCHESTER

In 2022 I finally dealt with my distaste for smartphone photography, exploring Manchester gathering images for Instagram Stories. This included the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June and her sad passing three months later.

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Floral tributes for Queen Elizabeth II in St Ann's Square, Manchester

BEYOND THE GOLDEN MILE

In March, I went to the famous Lancashire seaside resort of Blackpool – and kept going. The nearby towns of Cleveleys and Fleetwood served up sea paths, giant seashells and even a touch of Brutalism.

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Concrete seating on the beach at Cleveleys in Lancashire

SALFORD’S STUNNING GARDEN

The temperatures soared in summer, so what better time to visit RHS Bridgewater in Salford, a sumptuous public garden encompassing both the old and new. A great place to have just half-an-hour from Manchester city centre.

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A bed of pink alium flowers at RHS Bridgewater in Salford

NORTH-WEST TO NORTH-EAST

My break on the Yorkshire coast was a highlight of the year. Using only public transport, I visited four seaside gems and was largely blessed with glorious weather. Having visitor magnet Whitby to myself at daybreak was very special.

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A colourful row of huts at Whitby beach in North Yorkshire

TWO SEASONS IN ONE PLACE

I discovered Entwistle Reservoir near Bolton on a fog-bound winter’s day, a place of water, forests and a magnificent railway viaduct. I went back at the height of our hot summer and found it very different – see for yourself.

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Railway viaduct at Entwistle Reservoir on a foggy winter's day

A BRUSH WITH THE BRONTËS

This was my first trip to the West Yorkshire village of Howarth, made famous by the Brontë sisters and their literary classics including Wuthering Heights. An incredibly atmospheric graveyard and beautiful location made this a day out to remember.

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A gravestone in the cemetery at Howarth in West Yorkshire

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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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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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Northern snapshots

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I’ve lived in the north of England for 18 months now. There’s a great deal to explore here, from industrial cities to the natural beauty of the Lake District.

Here’s a scattering a 12 shots from my northern discovery so far. There is a lot more to discover…

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