With up to 300,000 pumpkins to choose from, Farmer Copleys is the ultimate pumpkin picking spot in Leeds.
Grab your pumpkin spice lattes, it's time to get autumnal.
And where better to do it than at the iconic Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival in Leeds.
Every year, this family-run farm shop and cafe transform into the UK’s biggest pumpkin festival throughout October and offer the ultimate spooky day out for all the family to enjoy.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It’s safe to say, these guys really know a thing or two about growing pumpkins.
Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, it's the perfect activity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city whilst browsing a huge array of pumpkins.
This year there’s a whopping 40 unique varieties to choose from that make up some of the 300,000 available- all with some pretty extraordinary names.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Cinderella, Polar Bear, Racer and Baby Bear are amongst some of the options available, though the names do not resemble the actual characters and animals, so don’t be looking out for any princess crowns or arctic fur or you might be there all day long.
Once you’ve had your pick of the rainbow and found the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween, there are plenty more activities to get involved in. Embark on a tractor ride across the farm or take part in the daily fancy dress competition.
This year there’s plenty of photo taking opportunities, including Farmer Copleys famous pumpkin house, a vintage chevy truck, a ghoulish graveyard scene and a ‘How Tall This Fall’ height board.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There's a bar for you to grab some bevvies, as well as marshmallow toasting and a cafe serving up pumpkin-inspired treats. And don't forget the adorable gift shop.
There will also be twilight pumpkin picking sessions, where you can pick your pumpkin to the sound of live music as the sun goes down – the perfect way to spend an autumnal evening.
The Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival is running from Saturday 27 September to Friday 31 October, and you can buy your tickets here.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Clementine Hall -
29th September 2025 
