Plans to create a second Eden Project in the north of England have been boosted by government support of £50m funding.
The major new attraction will be built across the border of Yorkshire on the north west coast, in the Lancashire seaside town of Morecambe.
Just over an hour and a half's drive away from Leeds, suffice to say we're pretty excited about the idea. It certainly beats the nearly six-hour drive down to Cornwall currently required if we want to make a trip.
The new eco-tourism attraction has been named as one of more than 100 projects across the UK to win a share of £2.1bn from the government's Levelling Up fund.
Part of a wider project aiming to "re-imagine Morecambe as a seaside resort for the 21st Century", Morecambe's Tory MP David Morris said it was absolutely "mind-blowing" news.
The investment will cover half of the £100m needed to build the highly anticipated coastal-themed attraction.
Hoping to replicate the success of Cornwall’s Eden Project, the Eden Project Morecambe (originally named the Eden Project North) will focus on marine life and will feature three impressive shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay.
An artist’s impression image of Eden Project North / Credit: Eden Project North
The attraction is scheduled to open in 2024 and will appeal to people keen on art, science, adventure, play and performance as well as nature.
Eden Project Morecambe is expected to provide “significant economic, environmental and social benefits” for the area.
Those familiar with the original Eden Project in Cornwall will recognise Eden Project Morecambe as a similar attraction combining “exhibits, performance, learning, play, immersive experiences, world-class horticulture, art, food, beverage and retail spaces”.
NEWS: Eden Project Morecambe has been awarded a £50m investment by the Gov’s Levelling Up Fund. Thank you to the #Morecambe community and our partners for their unwavering support and contribution: @LancasterCC, @LancashireCC, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership & @LancasterUnipic.twitter.com/dCWxeAQEGU
It hopes to bring together “health and wellbeing” and “wonder and entertainment” through its various zones.
Chief executive Rob Chatwin said it was a "historic moment" for the town and the surrounding areas. "We will now continue to work hard with our partners to make this vision a reality."
Credit: Eden Project
Mr Morris said the funding decision had "quite literally changed Morecambe forever. Five years of work has finally come to fruition and, after lobbying four prime ministers and six chancellors, and more meetings and debates in Parliament than I can count, I am absolutely delighted.
"What started off as a dream has now become reality and this will secure prosperity in Morecambe for generations to come."
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
The Hoot -
19th January 2023 
