Over in Headingley, there's a stunning period property that you can rent for the ultimate 'staycation' experience.
Advertised on the property rental site Airbnb, the Leeds property is just a hop, skip and a jump away from some of the area's best bars, restaurants, and parks.
It's also had some absolute rave reviews.
Comprised of four bedrooms and bathrooms, three large reception rooms and a former staff quarters, it's absolutely huge giving you so many different options for spaces to relax and take in your surroundings.
Filled with a host of original features including huge bay windows and real, working fireplaces, Albert House has been described as the "most original" Victorian mansion house in Leeds. The host will even leave your own basket of wood to give you that extra authentic country house experience.
It's also got a huge outdoor area, with large gardens to the rear complete with a BBQ, outdoor kitchen and plenty of furniture to recline on.
Inside, a games room boasts its own pool table, whilst elsewhere you'll find a TV room and a sound system and a grand dining table for everyone to eat together around.
Bathrooms, meanwhile, boast a roll-top bath and huge walk-in shower for the ultimate luxury.
Inside Albert House, the stunning Victorian mansion for rent in Headingley. / Image: AirBnB
One person said: "The house is amazing! Great location, perfect for a hen do and the prosecco and breakfast provided was such a great, unexpected bonus!"
A second wrote: "Beautiful large property suitable for a big family. You’ll love the games rooms and vast outdoor spaces.
"Huge bedrooms with comfy beds. We found the place clean and tidy, perfect for a family getaway."
"Lovely house, even bigger than anticipated," a third said.
"Weather was great so it was nice to be able to spend time making the most of the garden."
Another said: "Great location and fantastic house - we really enjoyed our weekend for my wife’s birthday and would recommend to anyone thinking of booking."
The staycation comes with a large garden too. / Images: Airbnb
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd August 2023 
