With up to 250,000 pumpkins to choose from, Farmer Copleys is the ultimate pumpkin picking spot in Leeds.
These guys really know a thing or two about growing pumpkins.
Every year, a family-run farm shop and cafe transform into the UK’s biggest pumpkin festival in October and offer the ultimate spooky day out for all the family to enjoy.
Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, the Copley family have everything you need for a pumpkin experience you’ll never forget.
Image: Farmer Copleys
Wade through mounds of pumpkins to find your perfect pick.
This year there’s a whopping forty varieties to choose from that make up some of the 250,000 available- all with some pretty extraordinary names.
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.
Image: Farmer Copleys
Spookier varieties hold the name of Goosebump, Pumpkin Rouge and Casperita but the rare gem to look out for is the Blue Crown Prince, this unique variety are the tastiest and come in a beautiful shade of pastel blue.
The Pumpkin Princess and the ‘Not so Wicked’ Witch of the West will be on hand throughout the day to help you find your perfect pumpkin and will even be giving out prizes to those dressed for the spooky occasion.
Image: Farmer Copleys
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.
There will also be archery for you to practise your best bullseye shot, a dedicated storytime for little ones and grown ups to recharge, as well as a visit from Magical Mr Zen.
Channel your inner child and jump on a vintage fairground and waltz away your worries or dance along to live music from different tribute acts from Luke Combs, ABBA and Taylor Swift.
Farmer Copleys is open for the Pumpkin Festival from Friday 28 September all the way through to Thursday 31 October and tickets are just £6 each. Farmer Copleys is around a forty-minute drive from Leeds city centre and can also be accessed from Streethouse train station (3 stops from Leeds).
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth. Â
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
A Miami-inspired deli serving Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and cigars has opened in a Leeds suburb
Clementine Hall
After making a name for itself over in Leeds city centre, Alfonso's Deli 2.0 has touched down in Horsforth.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonso's Deli in Leeds' beautiful Grand Arcade serve up some of the best sandwiches in the city.
They've built up such a good reputation in fact, that they have now opened a second deli in the up-and-coming suburb of Horsforth.
Located in a prime location on New Side Road, this deli has a slightly different look to their original space, complete with a beautiful red awning and stuffed to the brim with American memorabilia.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Here you can find fresh Cuban coffee which goes wonderfully with their authentic toasted Cubano sandwiches, perfectly crafted with their house-made bread which are then pressed made-to-order.
New for Horsforth, they're now serving New York deli sandwiches on brand-new house schiacciata bread.
And the bread is as fresh as it gets, made in their own bakery downstairs alongside a selection of New York deli bakes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Stuffed with toppings such as smoked deli meats, cold cuts, fresh cheese and whatever else you fancy.
Oh and it doesn't stop there, you can also buy a cigar if you fancy it alongside a selection of merch, hot sauces and provisions like tinned fish.
So whether you're stopping by on your way to work for a morning coffee or treating yourself to a stellar sandwich for your lunch, Alfonso's Deli is here to whisk you away to Miami for the afternoon.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They're officially opening their doors to the public this Thursday 15 October, and we just know it's going to go down and absolute storm.
Make sure to pop down and give them a big warm welcome to the neighbourhood.
Clementine Hall -
9th September 2024 
