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Inside the abandoned Yorkshire stately home once used to film Jane Austen drama
In its hey day the Biggin housed members of a variety of famous families - D'Arcy, Gascoigne, Farifax, Goodrick - as well as Charles Allanson, MP for Ripon from 1768.
An urban explorer has shared images showing the inside of an abandoned Leeds mansion that was once used to film a Jane Austen blockbuster.
Kyle Urbex, originally hailing from Huddersfield, revealed the insides of the now-derelict Leeds film set after visiting the ancient house in Bramham Park, Wetherby.
Images show the remains of what was once a prestigious stately home: with 'creepy' yellowing bible passages clinging to the corridor of the upper floor, grand staircases beset with dampness and rot, and once-impressive walls and doors peeling their wallpaper and paint onto the floor.
Having been the site of the Nostell Priory monks' cell in medieval times, in its hey day the Biggin housed members of a variety of famous families - D'Arcy, Gascoigne, Farifax, Goodrick - as well as Charles Allanson, MP for Ripon from 1768.
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
In turn, in time Allanson was succeeded by his relatives the Winn family, one of whom, Sir George Winn, became Lord Headley in 1797.
The house was also once used during the filming of the Yorkshire TV series Lost in Austen, which sees disillusioned modern working girl Amanda Price `swap' her life for that of Austen's celebrated Pride and Prejudice heroine, Elizabeth Bennet.
Other people of note to have lived in the now-derelict mansion over the years include Mr Henry Ramsden, who lived in the property from the 1840s.
Then, in 1843, Bramham Biggin was leased out and greatly extended to function as Bramham College - boasting 130 acres of parks and gardens, as well as a new hall, theatre, gymnasium and cloisters, as well as a Grecian-style refectory with a glass dome.
The College gained a good reputation and during its short life and attracted the sons of leading Yorkshire families. Ultimately, however, it closed after falling into decline following a severe epidemic of cholera in 1869 wen several pupils died.
Today, those pupils are buried next to their headmaster under the yew tree at the eastern end of Bramham churchyard.
After the college closed, the buildings were dismantled and Bramham Biggin reverted to being a house - yet it still remained within the Bramham Park Estate, lived in by Mr Duncalfe and the Hon Christopher York up until the start of the second world war.
Image: Kyle Urbex
Image: Kyle Urbex
During the war, a Miss Brown ran a nursery school there and it was also used to house child evacuees fleeing Britain's inner cities for a period of time.
Speaking to Examiner Live on his visit to the house, urban explorer Kyle said: "
Kyle said the house was 'pretty cold' and "fairly stripped out of any sort of real features."
The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – it's time to go 'Rollin' with Cole LC
Leeds' own Cole LC has got very far doing his "little music thing" and has seen him reach all new heights as his upcoming project suggests with its title West Yorkshire to Westend Show
This musician has built a pretty distinctive artistic style that fuses rap, all while making sure his West Yorkshire identity was kept in the forefront.
That's because, all of Cole's visuals have been filmed across the city at some pretty recognisable spots like Kirkgate Market, City Varieties and Belgrave Music Hall.
So far, this local lad has captured the attention of music lovers with songs like 'Westbrook' and 'Your Tings My Ting' both having over one million streams.
Now, Cole LC sits down to talk all about being Audio North's ‘Artist of the Month’ and shares more teasers about his highly-anticipated EP.
An interview with Cole LC - Audio North's Artist of the Month
Audio North's Artist of the Month: Cole LC | March 2026 / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
This is my first big release in quite a while after the release of Favourite Version in 2023 and I've done a lot of growing. I started writing last Summer when I was going through a tough period but it's gone onto create some of my best songwriting stories. It's a one big note to self that I hope helps other people out.
What is it like being a Northern independent artist?
I grew up in Roundhay with my family and Leeds as a city has had a monumental impact on what I do as an artist. By being close to the city centre, it has allowed me to be exposed to different types of music, soaking up all these genres has helped influence what I do now.
How do you think Leeds is shaping the UK music scene?
This city is a big credit to music and it's a testament to the musicians of Leeds having that talent but also being hardworking. It's also about authenticity and that's what we've got. The climate of music in general is very intense and there's lots of competition but the sheer talent here in Leeds makes it impossible for us to go unnoticed.
Cole LC has played a key part in Leeds' music scene / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
Who are some up and coming artists you're checking out?
Ellur and you spell it "Ell-uh" because she's from Bradford. She's an Alt-pop artist who I've been listening to a lot. I've also loved Charlotte Plank, especially her latest single 'crybby blue'. There's even Aaron Rowe who supported Lewis Capaldi.
What does a performance day look like for you?
I don't have a specific routine before a show. Practicing my lyrics is a big one and having a mint tea too.
What is your ultimate dream musically?
I'd love to perform whenever I like and just know people would be there and support me. I'd love the financial freedom to be able not worry and creative new tracks whenever whereever I want. Music is so powerful and speaks to everyone, I want to keep improving my quality and progress.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Probably Justin Bieber because of how much I love him, he's the greatest of all time, he just is. When I was 14 I was so fuming watching him and seeing how good he is, I thought he'd put be out of a job forever. He has some unreal albums.
What's next for Cole LC?
I can guarantee you new music every single month for 2026. I know a lot of people have been getting in touch regarding a headline show so I'm hoping to organise a gig. I'm also going to make sure I keep the connection with people who enjoy my music whether that's in person or online.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Georgina Pellant -
21st April 2023 
