The National Trust site is just beautiful this time of year.
This is the time of year where it’s particularly difficult to drag yourself off the sofa and into the great outdoors.
It's pretty crisp outside, but most of us (even the pumpkin spice latte, cardigan-clad crew) are missing the more reliable warmth of the summer months.
But winter is here, like it or not, and it definitely has its perks.
One of which is the undeniable beauty the season brings.
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 Manc reports.
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.
The National Trust site sits between Leeds and Manchester and is a popular day trip destination for northerners, 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.
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.
Gibson Mill at Hardcastle Crags. Credit: Flickr
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).Hardcastle Crags – the prettiest autumn walk in the north west
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 earlier this year, 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’.
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.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
Calderdale
You could be fined £1,000 for walking your dog on these Yorkshire beaches
From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are banned from a number of beaches in Yorkshire.
The seasonal restrictions are introduced over the summer every year to help Yorkshire's largest beaches prepare for the seasonal influx of tourists.
Dog owners walking their dogs on banned beaches could be fined up to £1,000, so it's worth familiarising yourself with where you can and cannot go.
Image: The Hoot
Which Yorkshire beaches ban dogs in the summer?
Beaches to avoid in Yorkshire during this period include Bridlington North and South, Filey, Hornsea, Sansend, Scarborough South and North Bays, Whitby and Withernsea.
Bridlington - At Bridlington, dog walkers are not to cross the areas between the northern end of North Marine Promenade and the north-eastern face of the North Pier, or between the southern face of the South Pier and the eastern face of Princess Mary Promenade Sea Wall.
Filey - Placed tenth in 2020 on a list of the UK’s favourite beaches, Filey also bans dogs over the summer. Walkers need to look out for the northernmost side of the beach slipway, which separates the Coble Landing from the Promenade. Everywhere from here to the southernmost point of the sea wall at Royal Parade is out of bounds.
Hornsea - Another popular Yorkshire beach included in the 2014 Good Beach Guide, Hornsea excludes dogs between the concrete ramp at Headland View and the steps south of Sands Lane.
Sansend - Everything at Sansend is out of bounds for pups, from the steps below the public conveniences below Sandhills to the slipway at the southern end of Bank Bottom car park. Similarly in Scarborough, both the North and South Bays are entirely off-limits to dogs.
Whitby - At Whitby, dogs are allowed at Tate Hill if they are kept on a lead – but must avoid the West Beach, from the West Pier to the promenade from the east side of the beach steps adjacent to the western end of the beach chalets.
Which beaches can I take my dog to in Yorkshire this summer?
Fortunately, not every beach is off-limits to man’s best friend this summer.
Hunmanby Gap – just 4 miles from Filey, this beach is absolutely massive and extends right along to Reighton Sands. A car park at the end of Sands Road charges £1 per hour up to 3 hours or £5 for all day, and there’s also a dog-friendly beach cafe if you fancy a slice of cake afterwards.
Fraisthorpe Beach – part of Bridlington Bay, popular with dog walkers all year round. There’s a private car park at the top of the beach, charges vary according to the season but even in summer it’s only £3.00 for the day. Sometimes you can also get dog lollies at the Cowshed Cafe (because ice cream isn’t just for humans).
Image: The Hoot
Runswick Bay – 9 miles north of Whitby, arguably one of Yorkshire’s prettiest beaches. Parking available, dog friendly pub in the village.
Cayton Bay – 3 miles south of Scarborough. check out the WW11 pill boxes at the northern end of the beach. Surf shop in carpark sells coffees.
The best live concerts, gigs and live performances across Yorkshire this month | May 2023
Sophie Smith
Festival season begins this month but that doesn't mean that the number of gigs planned around the city are slowing down, oh no.
Choose from Temple Newsam's Live at Leeds: In The Park or Slam Dunk festival, head to a comedy night at the First Direct Arena to see Peter Kay and Ricky Gervais take to the screen or head up to Hyde Park Book Club for an intimate performance from Yorkshire's own The Sherlocks...
Peter Doherty
Wednesday 3 May 2023 | O2 Academy Sheffield
Image: Peter Doherty, Facebook
What: Best known as co-founder and frontman of The Libertines, Peter Doherty but with plenty of solo work and side projects that attracted a whole new audience, the signer is bringing together the best of his three-decade music career to Sheffield this month.
Where: O2 Academy Sheffield, 37-43 Arundel Gate, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2PN
Thursday 11 May / Friday 12 May 2023 | O2 Academy, Leeds
Image: Soundcloud
What: The Yorkshire lads began as a group that uploaded comedy and prank videos online before shooting to fame in 2020, becoming a huge lockdown success. Since then, they have been nominated for both the NME Award for Best New British Act and NME Award for Best New Act in the World, releasing album Disrespectful alongside EP Charva Anthems and a number of hit singles.
Now the Bradford-born group is returning to Leeds for two nights for a homecoming gig as part of the thirteen-date Influential tour.
Where: O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge St, Leeds LS2 3AW
What: After bringing us ‘The 1980 Tour’ in 2019, Midge Ure is back on the road with the Voice and Visions tour to celebrate 40 years of the Ultravox’s Rage In Edenand Quartet albums.
Where: St George's Concert Hall, St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford
Tickets: The last remaining tickets are on sale for £34.45 via See Tickets here.
Amy Gledhill
Image: The Leadmill
What: As seen on The Emily Atack Show (ITV2), Richard Ayoade’s Question Team (Dave) and Harry Hill’s Clubnite (Channel 4), Internet sensation Amy Gledhill is heading to The Leadmill to bring her Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated show about resilience and dancing 'The Girl Before The One You Marry' show to life.
Where: The Leadmill, 6 Leadmill Road, Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK) S1 4SE
Tickets:
The Sherlocks
Saturday 13 May 2023 | Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
Image: The Sherlocks
What: The Sherlocks are a British alternative rock band formed in 2010 in Bolton upon Dearne, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The band rose to fame with their fifth single ‘Will You Be There?’ which was followed by their debut album “Live for the Moment” in August 2017.
To celebrate their new album ‘People Like Me & You’ which comes out 11 August 2023, the band have planned a super intimate gig at Hyde Park Book Club and it’s set to be a sell out.
Where: Hyde Park Book Club, 27-29 Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 1BL
Tickets: Only available directly through The Sherlock’s mailing list here.
Thursday 18 May and Saturday 20 May 2023 | St George's Hall, Bradford
Image: Jimmy Carr
What: Comedian Jimmy Carr is back on the road with new material, and he's making two stops across Yorkshire this month in Halifax and Bradford before returning to the likes of Scarborough and Leeds last on in the year.
Described by The Guardian as "a comedy hero for our time" for his 2021/2 Terribly Funny tour, this new show Terribly Funny 2.0 is set to take his comedy to new heights.
Where: St George's Concert Hall, St George's Hall, Bridge Street, Bradford
Additional Yorkshire dates: Jimmy Carr will be in Halifax at The Victoria Theatre on Thursday 18 May, with tickets still available here.
Peter Kay
Friday 19 May 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
Image: Peter Kay
What: The comedian, best known for his hit TV series like Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere and huge worldwide tours sharing belly laughs with the public. The comedian was actually recorded in the Guinness World Records as 'the most successful comedy tour ever', selling over 1.2 million tickets in 2010-2011.
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY
Tickets: Long gone, but there's waitlists on reputable ticket sites that might see some last minute cancellations and resales closer to the time
Additional Yorkshire dates: Peter Kay is returning to Leeds on Friday 15 December 2023 (get tickets here) and will be in Sheffield on Friday 17 November 2023 at the Utilita Arena (get tickets here).
What: 40 years on from the Madchester movement that saw the Inspiral Carpets soar to success, the band are back on the road with a series of hits to play. Having hit Leeds and Sheffield last month, they'll be in Holmfirth this month.
Tickets: Still available and cost £27.50 each via See Tickets.
Ricky Gervais
Thursday 25 May 2023 | First Direct Arena, Leeds
Image: First Direct Arena
What: Afterlife and The Office UK star Ricky Gervais is bringing his latest tour, Armageddon, to Leeds for one night. ‘Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin’ the comedian is embarking on a UK wide tour to share his latest work – Armageddon.
After performing Armageddon in London last year, the comedian took to Twitter to say he’d have his fans ‘reported for hate crimes’ for laughing at the new material, according to The Independent – just to give you an idea of what may lie ahead.
Where: First Direct Arena, Arena Way, Leeds LS2 8BY
Tickets: Only VIP tickets for The Mixer remain, priced at £250 each, and available via Ticketmaster here.
What: Live At Leeds: In The Park continues to share the limelight with newcomers into the alt music scene and champion plenty of up-and-coming talent that’ll leave revellers humming the beat of brand new songs aplenty following the day festival’s end.
Headliners such as Two Door Cinema Club, The Hives, DMA’s, Everything Everything, Cavetown, The Big Moon and Black Honey have already been announced, as well as Kate Nash, Maximo Park, Lottery Winners and online sensation James Marriott will be joining the celebration of alternative/indie talent this summer.
You can also get tickets to both Live At Leeds and Slam Dunk Festival, which takes place the following day at the same location. Tickets are currently priced for the two at £137 plus a booking fee. All tickets are available here, via See Tickets.
What: Slam Dunk Festival North is back for another year and there’s a huge line-up to look forward to. Set in the heart of Temple Newsam, one of Leeds’ best known festival venues is the hosting a one day set of metal, emo, punk and ska music from some of the industry’s biggest names.
Favourites on the line-up headliners include The Offspring and Enter Shikari, as well as 00s pop-punk icons, Bowling For Soup, Real Friends and Four Year Strong. Canadian rock band Billy Talent and American singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann will be bringing crowds to life at one of the city’s biggest day festivals too.
Tickets: Tickets cost £97.90 each and are available fromSee Tickets here, alternatively you can get tickets for both Slam Dunk North and Live at Leeds festival for a combined price of £150.70, with tickets are also available via See Tickets here.
What: American rock stars Interpol have announced their triumphant return to the UK with five headline shows this summer. The New York indie-rock icons released their seventh album ‘The Other Side of Make-Believe’ last summer. They’ll be performing this alongside their other smash hits on their upcoming UK tour which they have just announced.
Where: O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge St, Leeds LS2 3AW
Tickets: Cost £35.65 for stalls standing and balcony unreserved seats and standing, both are still available via See Tickets here.
Daisy Jackson -
12th January 2024 
