'Heritage Open Days' is back by popular demand for its 30th anniversary this autumn.
The UK’s largest festival of history and culture is returning later this year, and there’s thousands of free events on the lineup.
Following what was a smash-hit success, both here in Leeds and nationwide, when it was here last year and over the three decades prior, the National Trust‘s ‘Heritage Open Days’ are back by popular demand in a couple of months time, and means loads of top attractions in the UK will be open to visit for free from this autumn.
‘Heritage Open Days’ are run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, and they’re all about bringing people together to celebrate their culture , community, and history.
Paul Harris (via HODs)
From historic houses, factories, and museums, to music halls, formal gardens, and graveyards, countless of places and spaces across the country will be open to the public again from this September, all without having to spend a penny.
Not only that, but thousands of other intriguing events, activities, and fun new experiences are on the lineup too, all centred around this year’s theme, ‘Routes – Networks – Connections‘.
You can expect workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks, family -friendly activities, and so much more.
Image: Paul Harris (viaHODs)
Just some of the experiences Brits can make the most of during this year’s 10-day festival include the chance to explore the history of Joseph Whitwell through the paths and waterways at Hollybush Conservation Centre in Leeds , with a self-guided tour celebrating his legacy in Yorkshire as the world’s largest forced rhubarb producer, and even the unique opportunity of going behind the scenes of helicopter emergency medical services at the East Anglian Air Ambulance base to discover how every second counts when saving lives.
How about discovering “a castle that’s not a castle, on an island that’s not an island”?
Well, you can do just that by venturing across the causeway to The Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland to discover the magic of Lindisfarne Castle – with a garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll blooming with summer flowers, 19th-century industrial lime kilns, and shoreline walks.
“The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible,” explained Liam Montgomery, who is the Marketing & Projects Manager at Heritage Open Days.
“Every year, thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England.
“This year though, it will be extra special, as we will celebrate three decades-worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible.”
‘Heritage Open Days’ will be running from 6-15 September this year, and you can find out more about this brilliant UK-wide event here.
Hop City, the UK’s first hop-led beer festival from Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, is returning next year for a landmark 10th birthday celebration.
And this time it's going to be bigger and better than ever before, take place across two sessions on Saturday 15 May 2027 and held at Project House for the first time.
Hop City 10 will be the brewery’s biggest festival yet with over 300 beers from 50 producers, up from this year’s 35, coming to Leeds from across the US, Europe and the UK.
The first guest announcement includes Vermont-based The Alchemist, regarded as one of the pioneers of the Hazy beer synonymous with the festival, joining Northern Monk for the first time since the inaugural Hop City; and Delaware’s Dogfish Head, another highly respected US brewer who last poured for Hop City in 2023.
There will also be many more no/low choices and more non-beer options, including Manchester’s Stiff Tea Brewing Company and their signature Hard Kombucha.
Tickets to Hop City include entry and access to the festival throughout your chosen session, all of the entertainment on offer, an exclusive Hop City 10 glass and all of your sample pours throughout your session. Sounds like a pretty good deal if you ask us.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk: “It’s hard to believe that we’re celebrating a decade of Hop City.
“We’re pulling out all the stops for its 10th anniversary, taking everything people already love about the festival to the next level whilst bringing in new experiences, collaborations and features that we’ve never had the space to deliver before.
“We’re also excited to be welcoming some of our brewing heroes to Leeds, including the founders of US breweries Alchemist, Dogfish Head and Other Half, who will all be flying over to Leeds. These are people and breweries that we’ve admired for years, so to have them join us to celebrate 10 years of Hop City is really special.
“Whether you’ve been with us since year one or are joining us for the first time, this will be our biggest and most exciting Hop City yet. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone at Project House next year”
A Parisian-inspired bistro serving steak and bottomless fries has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
There's only one thing better than fries, and that's bottomless fries.
There's a new date spot in town, and it's called Jasper's.
Tucked away in the beautiful Grand Arcade, this new bistro and bar is focusing on one thing and doing it well...steak and chips.
We honestly can't think of a better combo, and the best part? The chips are bottomless.
You may have seen this sort of concept over in Paris, where guests are served two servings of steak and chips all for a very reasonable price.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Well this is basically the same, except you get one steak each and endless fries that are perfect for mopping up all the juices.
You can choose from a rump steak and chips for just £19.50 or you can pay a little bit extra for a 28 day aged ribeye, if you're feeling that little bit fancy.
Then once your food arrives, you'll have 90 minutes to get through as many fries as possible. Challenge accepted.
They've got loads of sauces for dipping and dunking as well, from your classic peppercorn to a zingy chimichurri.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If steak isn't your thing then the menu also features plenty of other options like tiger prawns, fried oysters and grilled scallops.
The cocktail list is absolutely huge, with over 100 whiskeys on offer for you to make your way through.
The interior is moody, dark and ultra romantic - perfect for date night if you ask us.
Jasper's steak house and bar is open now in Leeds city centre and you can find more about it here.
Emily Sergeant -
10th June 2024 
