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Yorkshire accents voted ‘friendliest in the UK’ in new survey

Sophie Smith - 10th March 2022

Here in Yorkshire, we're a little bias, but we do think we all sounds like rather friendly folk.

Whether it's our innate ability to knock syllables off words or talk in dialect that no one else understands, we know our accent is unique- and it's one of the best around.

Image: The Little Button Co.

A new survey has confirmed our thoughts and voted the Yorkshire accent the 'friendliest in the UK'.

Stealing 23% of the vote, we managed to take the top spot from accents like the Welsh (19%), West Country (14%), the Queen’s English (13%) and Northern Irish (11%) which all made the top 10 as well.

Read More: The sexiest accents in the UK have been revealed – and Leeds did terribly

The top ten 'Friendliest accent in the UK' were as followed:

1. Yorkshire

2. Geordie

3. Scottish

4. Welsh

5. Irish

6. West Country

7. Scouse

8. Queen’s English

9. Lancashire

10. Northern Irish

Yorkshire also ranked highly in the 'flirtiest accent' category too. Placed at a respectable 10th place, we were beaten by the Irish, Geordie, Essex and Scottish who placed 1st - 4th respectively.

Overall, the UK's favourite accent is Scottish, but Yorkshire did manage to claim a top five spot, coming in as the UK's fourth favourite accent, ahead of Scouse, Cockney, Irish and West Country dialects.

Despite our unique colloquials, Yorkshire wasn't placed in the 'accent most difficult to understand' category, with Scottish, Scouse, Geordie, Brummie and Northern Irish claiming the top five spots.

Image: Mark Anderson, Geograph

Read More: The Yorkshire accent has been voted the most trustworthy in Britain

Over 2000 adults voted as part of a Betfair Casino study, and we're not going to argue with their results, the Yorkshire accent truly is a friendly one.

Feature Image- Etsy

Leeds

Merrion Centre to host Leeds’ biggest Chinese New Year celebrations for 2026

Clementine Hall

The Merrion Centre in Leeds is set to once again host the city centre’s largest Chinese New Year celebration in 2026.

Get ready to welcome the Year of the Horse with an exciting programme of events in Leeds city centre.

Taking place on Saturday 14 and Saturday 21 February 2026, the Merrion Centre will be alive with the sights and sounds of Chinese New Year.

Guests can expect traditional lion dances, Tai Chi demonstrations, live musical performances, and hands-on workshops open for everyone to get involved in.

Image: Supplied

The Merrion Centre is once again partnering with various Leeds-based Chinese schools to create an event that highlights the best of Chinese culture.

James Broughton, Head of Marketing Communications at Town Centre Securities PLC, owners of the Merrion Centre said: “We are incredibly excited to once again be hosting the largest Chinese New Year celebration in Leeds city centre.

"This is an event that’s enjoyed not only by the Chinese community, but by everyone who wants to experience the fantastic, colourful traditions of Chinese New Year. The celebrations continue to grow each year, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all backgrounds to enjoy the Year of the Horse at the Merrion Centre.”

Image: Supplied

Bei Gao, Headteacher at Leeds Chinese Community School, commented: “We are excited to once again be involved in such a wonderful event. It’s a great opportunity for the Leeds community to experience Chinese New Year firsthand, and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone come together to celebrate the Year of the Horse.

"The Merrion Centre is an amazing space for this kind of cultural exchange, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Joyce Cai, Headteacher at New Vision Education Chinese School, added: “The Chinese New Year event at the Merrion Centre has become a highlight for many in Leeds. This year, we’ve worked closely with the team to bring new and exciting performances and activities that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese community. It’s a fantastic way for families to explore Chinese traditions while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Read more: Leeds Pride 2026 announces dates and first wave of acts for 20th anniversary celebration this summer

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

The best places in Leeds to get pancakes on Pancake Day

Clementine Hall

One of the best days in the foodie calendar is here and it's time to decide where you're going for the ultimate stack.

Whilst homemade pancakes hit the spot and attempting to flip them is definitely a laugh, it's always a treat to get out and about to celebrate the momentous occasion.

From thin crepes with lemon and sugar to pillowy, thick buttermilk stacks which are showered with a whole host of delicious toppings - there's a pancake dish for everyone to devour this Shrove Tuesday.

Keep reading for our top picks of cafes, restaurants and bars to visit this Pancake Day.

House of Koko

Chapel Allerton , Oakwood and Leeds city centre

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

House of Koko are the absolute bees knees when it comes to brunch.

Their pancakes are fluffy, pillowy, light, perfectly formed and just down right delicious. The list of toppings is almost overwhelming and you can mix and match yours to your heart's content, we're talking bacon, biscoff, kinder bueno, toasted nuts, white choc chips, banana and even ice cream, the list really does go on but you'll be here all day.

Moose Coffee

Bond Court

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Given Canadian pancakes are a worldwide favourite, you'd expect the best pancakes to come from Moose Coffee. Made fresh to order, there's a stack of three dusted with icing sugar, dotted with blueberries and served with Canadian butter on offer as well as a Biscoff Stack made from three pancakes, biscoff sauce, vanilla ice cream, white choc shards, lotus biscuit. ⁣

Whatever your preference this Pancake Day, your combination of sweet and savoury is pretty much guaranteed to live up to the famous Canadian combination- maple syrup included.

Farmhouse

Lands Lane

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Farmhouse are basically famous in the city for their epic stacks of pancakes, fluffy and loaded with all the toppings it's just what you want this Pancake Day.

If Up North

Call Lane or York Place

Image: The Hoot Leeds

If you're a regular on the If Up North Instagram page, you'll know that these guys are big fans of pancakes. Given their obsession with posting their beautifully decorated variations online, we're confident that these pancakes will be lip-smacking, mouth-drooling good and packed with flavour.

Expect flavours like berry and Biscoff, fruits and cream, bacon and maple syrup as well as a whole host of different variations at any of their Leeds-based cafes.

North Star Coffee Shop

Leeds Dock

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Locally renowned for its coffee roast, North Star Coffee Shop is also a great contender for the best-looking pancakes around. Open from 8am this Shrove Tuesday, grab some fluffy pancakes topped with all the seasonal favourites they have on offer.

Galleria

Armley Road

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Running from Monday 16 February until Friday 20 February, you can bag yourself £1 pancakes with a huge range toppings like classic lemon and sugar, maple smoked bacon, fried egg and sausage, or singular toppings such as blueberries, avocado, IPA caramel and more.

You'll need to pre-book to secure your offer and when you arrive, pick up an order form from your server so you can select how many £1 pancakes you want, alongside your chosen toppings. Yeah, it’s really that flipping easy.

Laynes Espresso

New Station Street

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Everything Laynes touch turns to gold, and their pancakes are of course no exception.

They of course go perfectly with a heavenly cup of coffee served inside their dazzling bright yellow, life-affirming coffee shop.

Read more: 10 places kids eat for £1 or FREE in and around Leeds this half term | February 2026

Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds