The North York Moors has more continuous heather moorland than anywhere else in England, and from late July to early September it flowers. The effect on a sunny day is extraordinary: whole hillsides in violet, the smell of honey, and bees everywhere.
When
Bell heather flowers first, from mid-July. Ling, the common heather that covers most of the moor, follows in August and is usually at its best in the second and third weeks. By early September it is fading to brown.
Where
- The road over Blakey Ridge between Hutton-le-Hole and Castleton runs through heather the whole way, with the Lion Inn in the middle
- Rosedale Chimney Bank and the ironstone railway walk look down onto purple slopes on both sides
- The Hole of Horcum from the Saltergate viewpoint on the A169
- Levisham Moor, Spaunton Moor and Goathland Moor from the railway
- The Bridestones ridge in Dalby Forest
- Roseberry Topping, for heather with a view of the sea
Etiquette
The heather is managed by burning small patches in winter, which is why you will see a patchwork of ages. Keep dogs on leads: the moor is home to ground-nesting merlin, golden plover and curlew, and to grouse from the Glorious Twelfth. Never light a barbecue or drop a cigarette on the moor in summer.
