Be transported back to the 19th century and stroll the Victorian streets of Leeds at the Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall.
Have you ever wanted to live the life of a Victorian for a day? To explore the social history of 19th century Leeds?
Well you don't have to jump in a time machine to do so as The Abbey House Museum provides all this and more.
Established in 1927, you will find this fascinating museum opposite the famous Kirkstall Abbey.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Boasting an incredible history itself, it was originally a dwelling house for the abbey before it was operated as a farm house, and then was the home of the Butler family, the owners of Kirkstall Forge, before being purchased by Leeds City Council in 1926.
Today it offers visitors the chance to fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of 19th century Leeds by exploring life-like cobbled streets complete with shops, pubs and houses.
You'll be handed a booklet on arrival which provides bundles of fascinating information to guide you through the streets. From the live expectancy rates of nearby towns to pay rates of millworkers through the years - one things for sure you'll definitely learn a whole lot on your trip to the Abbey House Museum.
Pop into Popplewell the grocers before stopping for a pint at the Hark to Rover pub, each recreated building is filled with original objects dating back over 100 years from the museum's extensive collection.
Upstairs you will find the museum's Childhood Galleries which exhibit their incredible growing collection of toys, 19th century dolls, memorabilia and nostalgia.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
There's plenty of comfortable spots for you to play and relax with their huge selection of toys and books, making it the perfect place to while away the afternoon.
The first floor of the museum is home to an annually-changing special exhibition, each one as interesting as the next. In 2022 the museum showcased a menagerie of Victorian animals in an exhibit named Curious Creatures:Victorian attitudes to animals.
Entry for an adult costs just £6, and a child aged 5-18 only £3. Family admission of up to 2 adults and 3 children is just £13.50, making it the perfect family trip out over the school holidays or on the weekend.
To find out more about this wonderful museum, take a look at their website.
Silver's Deli is opening up a sister shop, and this time it's about everything baked.
We all know and love Silver's Deli for their stacked subs and breakfast sandwiches that could cure any hangover no matter how severe.
They're so good, that they even bagged the coveted Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year Award last year.
And rightly so, because everything Silver's do is absolutely class.
The progress so far. Images: The Hoot Leeds
And it seems there's just no stopping Silver's, as last month they announced that they'll be opening a sister shop named 'Silver's Bakehouse' serving up everything, yep you guessed it, baked.
What exactly has not yet been revealed, with owner Chris keeping details tightly under wraps.
But what we do know is that every single thing will be made fresh, with love, in-house, at their new brand spanking new location in Farsley.
They've been keeping adoring fans updated on their socials with renovation updates, and it's already looking absolutely top tier.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Silver's Deli said: "Well it’s happening. I said no more shops, but it’s kinda necessary, and I just love all things baked.
"There’s waaaaaaaaay too many details to share on this right now, but go give our sister shop @silvers_bakehouse a new follow and hold on tight. This is gonna be fun as fuck."
We're in no doubt that this venture is going to be absolutely brilliant, and you best believe we'll be first in line to try one of those brownies.
Silver's Bakehouse will be located on Town Street in Farsley and is opening next Friday 22 May - just in time for the late May bank holiday weekend. We'll see you there.
Read more: A Caribbean street food restaurant famed for its jerk chicken is opening in Leeds this week
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Inside the £1.75m Horsforth farmhouse complete with its very own cottage and five acres of land
Clementine Hall
Go behind the doors of this truly beautiful house on the market in the leafy suburb of Horsforth.
Now this one really is a thing of beauty.
Located on Scotland Lane in Horsforth, The Rookery is an absolutely stunning former Georgian farmhouse dating all the way back to the 19th century.
It occupies a whopping 5,000 sq ft as well as its very own cottage amongst 5.5 acres of land, as well as five double bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Images: Rightmove
And guess what? It's only on the market for a mere guide price of £1.75 million. Pocket change.
In the main house you're welcomed with a grand entrance hall and staircase leading through to a series of reception rooms on the ground floor, how posh. Here you'll also find a wet room and an orangery which attaches to the kitchen, even more posh.
Images: Rightmove
Upstairs there's five double bedrooms, three bathrooms and a study - that should be plenty room for us we think.
But the exterior is where it gets really interesting as here you'll find five acres of beautifully maintained gardens featuring an orchard, kitchen garden and a tennis court.
Image: Rightmove
There's also 'stabling suited to equine use, adding further appeal for those with equestrian interests'... we couldn't have put it better ourselves.
Beyond that The Rookery features it's very own detached two-bedroom cottage as well as a garage with mezzanine accommodation.
Images: Rightmove
The entire property looks like something out of a fairytale, so if you're looking to live your best 19th century Bridgerton-esque life, then dig deep and get hold of that £1.75 million.
But if you do buy it, can we please live in the cottage?
Clementine Hall -
8th February 2023 
