Flying Scots Girl

West Yorkshire often has a reputation as being very industrial and grey but search and you’ll find it’s full of hidden gems and beautiful photo opportunities. Over the last year with varying levels of lockdown in place for a good portion of that time, I’ve explored more of the area of Yorkshire I’ve called home for the last 3.5 years. So here are the 8 best Instagram spots I’ve found exploring more of West Yorkshire 📷

1. Haworth

Haworth is one of my favourite places in West Yorkshire to visit because it feels like a step back in time. This is the village that the Brontë family lived in and where the three literary sisters penned their famous novels. Haworth is a beautiful place to photograph as the cobbled Main Street heads steeply down with views to the moors and hills in the background! After taking every angle of the Main Street, you can then visit the Brontë Parsonage museum where the family used to live and head out for a walk to the Brontë waterfall and Top Withens.

2. Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge is a bustling market town that nestles in the Calder Valley and is known for its boutique shops and independent cafes! It’s also a great place for photos, especially along the Rochdale Canal and the old Hebden Bridge Mill. The Mill is covered in red ivy during Autumn and is a favourite Autumnal Instagram spot in West Yorkshire.

3. The Piece Hall

The Piece Hall in Halifax is a great place for Instagram pics as the Hall looks as though it’s been plucked straight out of Italy! I love to visit at Christmas when the decorations are up and combine an Instagram opportunity with present shopping in the independent shops that you can find in the galleries.

4. Otley

The peaceful market town of Otley sits in the shadows of The Chevin which is a wonderful place for a weekend walk. The town is peaceful on a weekend early morning where it still sleeps and you can wander the charming streets with just the keen morning exercisers for company. Check out Market Street, New Market (above) and Bay Horse Court.

5. Victoria Quarter, Leeds

The most photogenic part of Leeds is definitely the Victorian Quarter and specifically within that is the County Arcade which is home to some of the most expensive and illusive shops in the city. The architecture here is just stunning and a super popular spot for photographers!

6. Gibson Mill

For the best reflection photo in West Yorkshire head to Gibson Mill just beneath Hardcastle Crags. Not only is it a good walk from the car park but the pool beneath the historic mill reflects the industrial building back at itself. Bonus, the mill is self sufficient so you can feel even better about that well earned coffee!

7. Harewood House

Harewood House is a beautiful country house in West Yorkshire that you may well recognise from period dramas such as Victoria & the Downton Abbey film. Explore the inside of the house when it’s open, take a stroll around the gardens and have a break in one of the cafes! Especially dressed up for Christmas, the house makes a great photo for Instagram…if only it was your house 😉 To find it, Harewood House is located next to the village of Harewood, just twenty minutes or so drive north of Leeds.

8. Heptonstall

The village of Heptonstall perches high on a hill above Hebden Bridge. It’s a beautiful sleepy spot to for a photo in West Yorkshire as cobble stones run steeply up the main street and along winding back passages past the weavers cottages that sit here!!

For more Leeds Instagram spots check out:

To find photo opportunities across Yorkshire take a look at:

Cat x