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Wintry walks around the gorgeous Georgian treasure house at Nostell Priory
Nostell Priory, the National Trust estate, located near Wakefield, has been glammed up for Christmas since December 1st and is ready to welcome you for a lovely day of festive fun.
Winter walks on a crisp Christmas morning never seemed so tempting.
Nostell Priory, the National Trust estate, located near Wakefield, has been glammed up for Christmas since December 1st and is ready to welcome you for a lovely day of festive fun.
With beautiful, pristine gardens to explore and the Georgian house to wander around, visiting Nostell is a wonderful day out at any time of year. This Christmas though, the house has been dressed up to the nines with glamourous decorations, and the historic rooms have been opened for special events to get everyone feeling the festive spirit.
The woodlands, walks, and parkland at Nostell showcase the Yorkshire countryside and are truly difficult to beat. With ancient woodland and lakes on the grounds, there are countless options for a beautiful, crisp winter stroll through the grounds.
There’s nothing quite like a Christmas walk, and although you’ll need to wrap up warm, the grounds and lakes are especially beautiful on a crisp, winter morning.
Also, with a range of different gardens to discover, including the Kitchen Garden, the Menagerie Garden, and the Pleasure Grounds, you definitely won’t run out of walking space, and you could spend all day wandering through these vast grounds and discovering new spaces in the great outdoors.
If you’re needing to keep the kids entertained during your festive day out, Nostell Priory has got you covered. Although it may be a tad chilly at this time of year, there’s an outdoor adventure play area for the little ones to enjoy and, if that wasn’t good enough, the Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander is a new festive addition to the programme.
This trail is sure to keep the kids entertained whilst you enjoy a relaxing walk around the grounds and, with the chance to get a delicious hot chocolate at the café, the entire family will be able to warm up from the cold and reflect on the festive fun you’ve all enjoyed.
With Leeds United and an army of supporters 'marching on together' to Wembley once more, this time in an FA Cup semi-final, the question for those who haven't grabbed a ticket is where to watch the game in and around the city centre.
Reaching the semis for the first time in 39 long years, even making it to this stage is already a moment to remember, but there's every chance they could battle their way to becoming the last two left in the world's oldest football competition.
Whatever happens in the penultimate knockout tie against Chelsea, you won't find many people in all of Yorkshire missing this match, and we're making certain that you pick the perfect spot to do so.
So, without further ado, here are 10 or so of the best places to watch Leeds United in the 2025/26 FA Cup semi-final this Sunday, 26 April:
The best bars and pubs to watch Leeds in around the city centre
1. The Brotherhood - Briggate
First up is the ever-reliable Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes, which is not just handily located right in the heart of the city centre but practically has enough big screens to make sure nobody will struggle for a good view.
Promising plenty of room across multiple floors, not to mention an ideal matchday menu, you really can't go wrong. It does fill up fast for big games, though, so we'd reserve a table ASAP.
2. BOX - Leeds and Headingley
Another tried and tested sports bar, BOX was always going to be on the list. No matter whether the central Leeds location is on your doorstep, or their Headingley outpost works best for you, you're guaranteed a complete package.
Great cocktails and deals on drinks; a sharing-friendly menu made for matchdays, not to mention the rooftop bar that will prove perfect if this week's good weather holds, it's a no-brainer. It's also another one we'd recommend you book early to secure a seat.
Next up, we couldn't go any further without mentioning the magnificent Moot Hall Arms, which might just be one of the best football pubs not just in the region but perhaps the entire country.
Not too far out from the train station, 'The Moot' is a go-to for most Whites who can't make it to away games and countless more who watch them on the telly every week. We hope its reputation speaks for itself, but in case you need a reminder...
In at number four, rather fittingly, is the 4TheFans zone being set up specifically for this year's FA Cup semi (and hopefully the final) over at the O2 Academy.
Located in the heart of the city centre, these well-known sports promoters are experts when it comes to days like these, and we can guarantee Leeds fans will make this particular supporters' park box office.
Ok, onto Green Room, which is another spot with a great terrace perfect for springtime and what we hope is a joyful summer of sport ('it's coming home', and all that).
Local co-founder and owner, Will Habergham, isn't just trying to create Leeds' biggest run club, but he's also quietly making the venue one of the best for the very biggest events.
Our super six pick is the wonderful Beck and Call over in the Meanwood part of Chapel Allerton, which you'd be forgiven for simply thinking of as a classic, cosy local pub.
However, if you want a slightly less rowdy place to watch Leeds, we can wholeheartedly recommend spending the whole weekend here, to be honest.
Special shout-out to their excellent Sunday menu, too. (Credit: The Hoot)
7. The Original Oak - Headingley
Always a lively one, thanks to the regular crowds of uni punters, The Original Oak over in Headingley is both always a good option for watching live sport, but also one of the most affordable.
With super cheap student deals, in particular, not to mention a beer garden for pre- and post-match jubilations/commiseration, rest assured, this place is much more than just another stop on the Otley Run.
Another increasingly popular venue for the big fixtures is Woodside over on Crown Point Road; based at the bottom of the Gateway North apartments, it's a stylish bar with great food and drink that are ideal for watchalongs and that 'Soccer Saturday/Super Sunday' vibe.
With pub quizzes, bar taps up for grabs, and even 50% off drinks available every now and again if you keep an eye on their Instagram - including when Leeds are winning - it simply has to be an option.
9. The Skyrack - Headingley
More Headingley/Otley-adjacent footy fodder here for you, as The Skyrack is an obvious choice for pubs and bars showing sports in and around Leeds.
It also happens to be THE place for any followers of grassroots women's football club, Leeds Hyde Park FC. You absolutely love to see it.
Penultimately, Rita's has to be right up there on your list of the best places to watch Leeds United all year-round, let alone just for an important cup clash.
Big stage area that looks nailed on for a projector, plenty of TVs, darts, top-notch margaritas and much more, what more convincing do you need?
13. Nation of Shopkeepers - City centre
Last but not least, what do you get when you combine hordes of Peacocks with A Nation of Shopkeepers? No, it's some kind of weird riddle, but it is kind of a rhetorical question, as we can assure you that this will be a great place to watch Daniel Farke's side.
Should his squad make it through to the final, and you don't happen to choose them this time around, you should definitely consider visiting them for the return trip to Wembley come the end of the season. Roll on the World Cup, too.
Now, this one might be a surprise to some of you, but Leeds' newest Mexican bar and restaurant hasn't just landed in the city centre from Manchester, but they're also screening the game in one of their first full weekends of service over at their sister site: Salón.
How come? Because why the hell not? They've timed their Yorkshire debut pretty perfectly, if you ask us, as people are already flocking to try the tacos, tequila and sticking one of the biggest Leeds games in nearly four whole decades won't do them any harm whatsoever.
In fact, they're going to be showing all kinds of sport - and LOADS of it. See more down below.
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival drops full line-up, including big tribute acts and… banana jousting?
Daisy Jackson
The live music programme for this year's Ilkley Food and Drink Festival has been released, featuring ABBA and Bruce Springsteen tribute acts, plus loads more entertainment.
The festival will be returning to the riverside setting this summer, with a brand-new arena also unveiled that will host free family challenges and interactive contests.
The weekend will be a celebration of great food and local talent, featuring street food, independent bars, live chef demos, live music, and an artisan market.
And now festival organisers have announced who'll be taking to the stages to soundtrack the weekend too.
There'll be a variety of local soloists, community groups, and bands, with a special tribute performance each evening.
On Saturday, that'll be Planet ABBA, one of the UK's leading ABBA tribute acts; while on Sunday headliners will be The Boss and The Beeston Street Band, a renowned Yorkshire-based tribute to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.
The new arena - the Sizzling Showdown Arena - will host an eclectic schedule of family competitions, like a family dog show, a chilli challenge eating competition, and the 'foodie olympics'.
There'll also be a new inflatable 'banana jousting' ring, where friends and family can take part in silly inflatable duels against one another.
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival returns this summer
Festival director Michael Johnston spoke on their aims to create a fresh experience for both new and returning visitors, saying: "Heading into our seventh year, we expect to welcome plenty of new faces as well as several returning visitors.
"We want to create an exciting experience for every single person who walks through our doors, which means constantly looking for new ways to enhance what we offer.
"Several ideas that have been in the works for a while are finally coming to life."
Ilkley Food and Drink Festival takes place on 13 and 14 June, you can find out more HERE.
Sophie Smith -
21st December 2022 
