A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire
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The 4 best places to live in West Yorkshire have been revealed
If you ask us, every single part of West Yorkshire is a beauty - so it's hardly surprising to hear that not one but four towns made the top of the Sunday Times' list
Seven Yorkshire towns featured in this year's list, with Ilkley in West Yorkshire taking the top spot. The Sunday Times cited its ‘eco-conscious attitude along with its ‘good sense of humour with good looks’ as the reason for it making the top spot.
According to the paper, the former spa town "has a beating community heart, a business brain, culture and a good sense of humour" - referencing its eco-conscious climate action group, which secured funding for electric cargo bikes in the town and helped create the first designated bathing site in the UK here thanks to their Ilkley Clean River Campaign.
Here are the other West Yorkshire towns that made the list.
Todmorden
Yakumama in Todmorden serves up delicious Latin-American inspired small plates and brunch / Image: Yakumama
Known as the kindness town of Yorkshire, Todmorden's community spirit is unrivalled in the Calder valley. Like Slaithwaite, it's become a popular choice for commuters fleeing the city with trendy eateries like Latin American-inspired cantina Yakumama and The Golden Lion pub sitting alongside more upscale restaurants like The White Rabbit.
Chapel Allerton
The Old Police Station and Library, Chapel Allerton / Image: RichTea
Leeds' Chapel Allerton, warns The Sunday Times, shouldn't be dismissed as just "another fleeting hipster hotspot just because it’s got decent coffee and an arts centre." Rather, it argues that its LS7's winning combination of indie shops and community spirit puts it at the top of the list.
Slaithwaite
The view across of Slaithwaite, nestled between the Pennines / Image: Tim Green
Surrounded by Pennine moorland, Slaithwaite is a charming choice for commuters given its location between Manchester and Leeds. Two craft breweries, artisan burgers at Rumpus and not-for-profit Handmade Bakery will appeal to those ex-city dwellers who can't quite put their hipster comforts behind them.
A restaurant and cafe is coming to Leeds city centre - and it's all centred around rotisserie chicken.
We live in a world where food trends are really leading the way that we eat.
From matcha and frozen yoghurt to stacked sub sandwiches and acai bowls - it seems us foodies just can't help but jump on the ever evolving bandwagon.
And now there's a new one, rotisserie chicken.
A number of restaurants have popped up all over the UK serving up this protein-lover's dream, and now Leeds is getting in on the action.
Rotisserie Club will be taking over the old Shokupan site on Wellington Street in the city centre and although we don't have many details just yet, we've got a small inclination of what's in store.
It seems that in the morning the space will be occupied by Habitum, a trendy coffee shop that opened on Lower Briggate last September.
They'll be slinging out all the caffeinated beverages throughout the morning until lunch time hits and everything rotisserie chicken takes over.
We're talking wraps, bowls, salads, pittas - all jam-packed with deliciously tender chicken cooked on the rotisserie.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, the Rotisserie Club said: "The secret is out..Leeds is about to get its own Rotisserie Club with an Habitum to boot.
"More details will be revealed in time, but expect us at the back end of Sep - early Oct. Habitum will look after the AM’s with Rotisserie Club stepping in from lunch.
"Two new quality additions to the area - from a bunch of familiar faces from the Leeds Hospitality scene.."
The best bakeries in Leeds serving everything from crusty loaves to flakey croissants
Clementine Hall
If you're got a sweet tooth, then you're going to want to keep reading.
Oh Leeds, if there's one thing we're good at - it's baking.
Just walking around the city you'll bump into delightful bakeries offering sweet treats galore, and you'll find even better gems when you venture into the suburbs.
We've rounded up a handy little guide for you to make your way through when you're looking to treat yourself to a cheeky baked good, which should be every day if we're being honest.
So, without further ado let's dive into the best bakeries in Leeds.
Bake
Mustard Approach, Mustard Wharf
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the team behind Things in Bread and Doh'hut comes this absolutely beautiful bakery by the water.
Led by mastermind Tom, they're serving up great British bakes but with a refined twist. Think ultra cheesy cheese twists, sticky school cake and unbeatable sausage rolls.
Fat Pigeon Bakery
406 Broad Lane, Leeds LS13 3DF
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Fat Pigeon is a micro-bakery in Bramley that opens every Saturday to queues of adoring fans. And it’s no surprise why, as here you’ll find some of the very best bakes - from croissants to cinnamon buns - that Leeds has to offer. Oh, and owner Ruth is about as lovely as they come too.
Fold
62 Brussels Street, LS9 8AB
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the absolute masterminds behind The Cheesy Living Co. comes Fold, a hidden bakery serving up from under the arches every Saturday morning.
You can get your chops around their famous focaccia, stuffed sausage rolls, cookies, sarnies, bagels and the creme de le creme for us: the foot-long three-cheese twist.
Underground Bakery
Call Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're after a really great almond croissant, then you've got to get yourself to Underground Bakery. They're serving a whole array of baked goods but doing them all really, really well.
Right in the centre of town, it's a great spot to swing by on your way to work because everyone deserves a midweek croissant every now and again.
Laynes
New Station Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This one probably doesn't need any introduction, as Laynes bakery are known amongst the city for their exceptional bakes and it's not hard to see why.
They stock a number of coffee shops across Leeds but for the true experience, pop in and enjoy a bake alongside a cup of their fabulous coffee.
Nova
Leeds Dock
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Nova Bakehouse is a beautiful sun drenched spot that serve up irresistible morning buns, chewy cookies and speciality bread.
They focus on 'flavour forward baking' using seasonal ingredients to create monthly specials that'll have you going back time and time again.
Oh, and they've been named one of the best bakeries in the UK by The Good Food Guide two years running now - so you know it's good.
These guys have really made a mark for themselves since opening, and have cured all of LS6’s sweet tooth cravings and caffeine fixes.
You'll find everything from stacked brownies and blondies to incredible red velvet cookie pies, and how could we forget their savoury options too?
Chunk
174 Kirkstall Hill
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If cookies are your kryptonite, then Chunk is where you need to be.
From baking inside her student shared house to opening her very first bakery, the last few years have been a whirlwind for owner Amy Bennett- and there's really no stopping her now.
Her gooey NYX-style cookies are out of this world, served with great drinks to match.
The Savvy Baker
Albion Street
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Again, this one needs absolutely no introduction. A Leeds staple that has been curing sweet toothed brownie-lovers for years, it's The Savvy Baker.
Their new site in the city centre is truly one to behold, baking cookies on site and whipping up speciality matchas from a dedicated matcha bar - you don't want to miss it.
Karpaty Bakery
Leeds Kirkgate Market
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This traditional Polish bakery inside the market is selling some of the cheapest bakes you can get your hands on. Their authentic donuts are as big as your head and the perfect sweet treat that won't break the bank.
Street Lane Bakery
399 Street Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Hidden away just behind Street Lane, is Street Lane Bakery.
These guys have been baking up a storm in the kitchen for over a decade, from their ever-so-famous home-cooked bagels to the sweetest of treats.
Slow Rise Bakery
Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Can't get over to New York but craving a proper chewy, stacked bagel with all the trimmings? Slow Rise Bakery is the only answer.
Pick your flavour bagel from sesame to everything and then pick your fillings, we'd recommend going for lashings of cream cheese and layers of smoked salmon. Delicious.
Georgina Pellant -
21st June 2021 
