Shipley Glen

Sometimes I just get the urge to escape the built-up area and head for the hills. Luckily that's not difficult in Saltaire - you can walk across Roberts Park and climb up to Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor in a matter of minutes. Generations of Saltaire villagers have done just that. Shipley Glen in Victorian times was a pleasure ground, with a tramway (still there, though currently under repair) and all manner of delights, including at one time a toboggan run. In fact the Pleasure Ground Amusements only finally closed in 2005. It's less commercialised now, though there is a decent pub and café and usually an ice-cream van parked up. If you can manage the climb up to the trig point on Baildon Moor, there are wonderful views of the surrounding area. At this time of year the heather is in bloom, covering the whole area in a delightful purple haze.