Have you ever wanted to escape from everyday life and into a virtual reality?
Having found success in Belgium and The Netherlands, Park Playground is now adding the UK to its list of countries that can experience virtual reality in an exciting space - and Leeds is the very first city to be a part of this.
The Park Playground opened just a few months ago, and it's bringing some of the most exciting experiences to the city that are suitable for anyone aged 7+.
You don't have to be a gamer or someone that understands the logistics of the AR and VR - just someone willing to take on a challenge and experience a whole new world.
Grab your VR goggles and a futuristic controller and choose from challenges like Don't Scream (which is as scary as it sounds), alien battle on Mission Planet X VR or take on The Snitch where you'll have to think fast to protect your group from sabotage.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The VR Experience
The idea here is that you don't just jump into an adrenaline-fuelled experiences, entering a virtual reality can take some getting used to, so the team have devised a number of games to help get you used to your goggles and new surroundings.
Every session is split into two 30-minute slots. First, take on a challenge like walking the plank on top of a skyscraper, before attempting a series of mini games like boxing and bow and arrow practice.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Then you're ready to take on a fully-immersive experience with a 30 minute challenge.
Don't Scream is perfect for those looking to truly immerse themselves in a virtual reality space. The idea is that you take on an escape room-style experience where there's surprises round every corner to make you jump. There's only one rule - don't scream!
The game is measured on a 'scream o'metre' and every time you scream, you'll gain points - but this isn't a good thing. Whoever screams the least, and therefore has the lowest score on the scream o'metre wins.
It's a world that combines eerie jump-scares with problem solving, hosted by comedian and evil genius David Whitely that certainly isn't for the faint hearted.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Regardless of which challenge you choose to take on, the Park Playground will have you working as a team. This makes the space perfect for friends, family and co-workers alike.
In fact, you can hire the space with a multitude of packages depending on your needs - and yes, they can include a debrief in the bar.
The Play and Lunch package gives you 60 minutes of game time followed by a choice of catering options, including sandwiches, burgers, pastas and pizzas whilst Play Eat and Drink adds on two hours of selected drinks at the bar, including soft drinks, beer and wines.
Those looking for a fun-filled work day can take advantage of the Meet and VR experience that gives you access to the on-site meeting room where you can do business during a four hour slot and then blow off some steam with two 30 minute VR experiences.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Similarly, the Play, Eat and Work package offers the meeting room and VR experiences, plus a buffet or pizza spread one hour of soft drinks, beer and wine from the bar.
There's even packages for Stag and Hen events, all of which can be personalised based on the number of people attending and what you'd like included.
How to book
The Park Playground works on a pre-booking basis, so you'll need to book yourself a place on the Park Playground website ahead of your trip.
The process itself is really simple, all you need to do is choose your package and time. Alternatively if you're looking for a larger group or corporate event, you can personalise your experience by filling in a request form and the team will get back to you.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
How to get there
The Park Playground is located just outside of the city centre in Burley.
You can grab an Uber from the station for less than a tenner (usually around the £6 mark), or make the most of the venue’s easy transport links from Burley. The walk to The Park Playground just a 10 minute walk from Burley Park Station and there are several bus routes from Leeds Station and the City Centre, including the 33, 34 and 508 bus routes that call at the Willow Road bus stop on Kirkstall Road.
Alternatively, the Park Playground has plenty of car parking space, or is a ten minute walk from Burley Park train station.
We hope you're ready for your workout, because FaceGym has landed in Leeds.
You may be wondering...what on earth is Facegym? And to be fair, you've got a point.
FaceGym, as they themselves describe it, a 'non-invasive fitness studio concept for the face' using high-intensity facial massage, hand manipulation, and electrical muscle stimulation technology to tone, lift, and sculpt the face without surgery.
Sounds pretty fancy if you ask us, and it feels just as fancy from the moment you step through the door.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Unsurprisingly, it's loved by celebrities worldwide who are looking to get snatched and ditch their gua sha.
Currently occupying five standalone stores in London, one in Cambridge as well as a pop-up in Space NK in Selfridges Manchester, FaceGym will be opening this Friday 18 September inside the coveted Victoria Gate, taking over a 1,772 square foot studio.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space really does look like a gym, ditching the standard beauty salon aesthetic for an American-style gym interior complete with the iconic red FaceGym balls all over the place.
A signature sculpt costs £110 for a 45 minute treatment, so it's definitely a treat if you're looking to have skin that can reflect the sun and cheekbones for days.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Angelo Castello, chief executive at Facegym, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Facegym to Leeds and to open in the beautiful Victoria Gate. The city has a thriving beauty, wellness, and retail scene, making it the perfect location for our next studio.
“We’ve seen growing demand from customers across Yorkshire, and we can’t wait to introduce even more people to the benefits of facial fitness.”
You can find out more and book a treatment at FaceGym via their website here.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month – Kenzo Jae | September 2026
Thomas Melia
Kenzo Jae is a creative who wants to put Bradford on the music map through his alternative-rap tracksand now he's Audio North's Artist of the Month.
This multi-tasking mastermind doesn't only record his own music, he's also a digital illustrator and graphic designer - Oh, and he even directs his own music videos (Leave some talent for the rest of us - We're begging).
Embarking on The Sloth Tour with three UK based dates in Manchester, Leeds and London throughout October, where Kenzo Jae will be playing out hits like 'Softly', 'Chicken Bagel', 'End of the World' and more.
This storytelling songwriter now sits down with Audio North to chat all things Artist of the Month and share a little more insight into his music career so far.
Audio North's Artist of the Month - Kenzo Jae | Interview
How much does being from Bradford influence the music you release?
All aspects of my personality have been influenced by Bradford, and I’m never more myself than when I’m writing. So lyrically Bradford has had a big impact.
What’s it like being an artist from Bradford?
At first it felt like something I had to hide. Now it’s something I wear as a badge. There’s not many of us in the grand scheme of things. It’s a niche club and I love that. The underdogs.
What northern artists are you loving at the minute?
If you could describe your artistry in three words what would they be and why?
Honest - I try not to hide behind anything in my music even when it’s critical of myself. If something has happened to me or I’m feeling something, I’d rather put it into a song exactly as it is. Might take me a few years but once it’s in the song I can get over it
Colourful - The vision of the world of my music to me feels saturated and bright. the occasional darkness but for the most part.
Arrogant - I think it takes a level of arrogant to do and say certain things in my music. Even to do the visual aspects too painting myself pink, wearing a sloth hat etc Takes an arrogance to think yeah I can put myself in such a weird position and believe it’s going to work
You’ve already amassed over 100k streams on SLOTH - How are you feeling about its reception so far?
It’s been great to see that people have really resonated with the story and the arc I have been on. I want to push it further and hope it reaches everyone that needs it
How fulfilling is it for you to release the SLOTH mixtape, a title you’ve held onto since you were 16?
The most cathartic feeling. Especially when it’s you know you’ve made it exactly the way I intended. It’s also a learning curve for things I will do differently for the next one.
You posted a reel describing how you spent two weeks animating a music video for yourself- How important is being hands-on in all aspects of your music career?
I’m a control freak. And if something is in my head, it’s a lot easier to do it myself. Don’t get me wrong , I work with a lot of hard working talented people that I can now trust and delegate work to. But on this instant, I love animation and I find the most enjoyment in editing visuals
Since you have a track titled ‘Chicken Bagel’, where are some of your favourite brunch or general food spots in West Yorkshire?
I grew up on chicken shops and Salah's is the goat. In terms of restaurants, Classic Persian is the best for me.
You’re not afraid of risk-taking and standing out, even going as far as painting yourself pink for one of your visuals - what advice would you give to any emerging artists who want to be as confident as you?
You have to be willing to embarrass yourself. The stuff that feels slightly uncomfortable, is usually the stuff that people remember.
And confidence doesn’t necessarily mean thinking you’re amazing. Sometimes it’s just being willing to say, “I don’t care if this is weird, I like it.”
It’s also it’s just more fun to feel like your outside of the box
Sophie Smith -
2nd March 2023 
