It's the season for office get-togethers, Christmas parties and events with loved ones.
There's nothing like getting the whole gang together, and if you fancy a space that's private for you and your chosen company - Leeds has seemingly unlimited options for a day or night out to remember.
Here's everywhere we've spotted in and around the city centre where you can hire a local venue out for your special event...
Image: Shear's Yard via Instagram
The Packhorse
What: Private upstairs room with its own bar with space for up to 90 people (trading until 1am)
Where: Park Horse Yard, Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6AT
Gaucho
What: Two private dining rooms (seating 14-22 guests), semi-private dining in main restaurant for up to 50 and exclusive venue hire for 100 guests is available. Menus range from £45-£85pp and canapes £18-£32 with space for live music and DJs
Where: 21-22 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JF
Distrikt
What: Late night underground bar with private hire across two floors for up to 200 guests with no minimum spend and no hire free Sunday - Thursday until 2am. Live music, DJs and drinks packages all available
Where: 7 Duncan Street, Leeds, LS1 6DQ
Shear's Yard
What: Seated dinner space for up to 60 people or 130 standing, plus open to big events like weddings
What: Wine bar with private basement bar with space for up to 60 people
Where: 4-8 New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 5DL
MANS Markets
What: Modern Chinese restaurant with (free) private hire for up to 45 guests. Christmas buffers and bottomless brunch available Wednesday - Sundays
Where: Unit F, West Point, Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4JJ
Stuzzi
What: Private upstairs area with private bar space for up to 24 diners or 60 standing guests. No hire fee.
Where: 7 Merrion Street, Leeds, LS1 6PQ
The Collective Inc.
What: City centre restaurant with packages for canapes, grazing tables with five and eight course taster menus. Space for 40 seated or 110 standing
Where: 33 Boar Lane, Leeds, LS1 5DA
Hooyah Burgers
What: Burger bar with private upstairs dining for 15-20 people
Where: 78 Albion Street, Leeds, LS1 6AD
The Old Red Bus Station
What: Space for up to 50 people with bar and catered menu, vegan kitchen and DJ equipment for hire
Where: 104 Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS2 7NL
Liquor Studio
What: Private venue hire with spirit-led masterclasses
Where: 156a Lower Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LY
The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes
What: Sports bar with pool tables, beer pong and darts available for hire with drinks and buffet packages
Where: 54 New Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NU
Parkside Tavern
What: Private upstairs function room with space for up to 150 guests. Private bar, ber pong, adjoining terrace and four TVs included, plus access to the games room for 15-50 guests at £25 per hour
Where: St John's House Merrion Street, Leeds, LS2 8JE
The Shed
What: Indie rock bar with private area for up to 30 guests with raised stage area OR early week private hire with space for up to 150 guests
Where: 6 Heaton's Court, Leeds, LS1 4LJ
Archie's Bar & Kitchen
What: Multiple private hire options for 30-150 people
Where: Granary Wharf, The Dark Arches, Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4BR
Pinnacle Beer and Gin Hall
What: Hire area for 20-150 guests, with seven pool tables
Where: 1 Bond Street, Leeds, LS1 5BQ
Mabgate Bleach
What: Indie music venue with private hire space for up to 80 people
What: Two floors including a roof terrace with space for up to 280 people (trading 8am-6am). Free hire available (T&Cs apply) and U18s can stay until 9.30pm
Where: 52 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 6DT
The Backroom
What: Late night speakeasy with private hire space for up to 150 guests. There's no hire fee or minimum spend on Thursdays - Sundays until midnight. Private hire for 350-500 people also available.
Where: 50a Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 6DT
XVC Bar
What: Two rooms for private hire with space for 40-50 people, both include private bar, DJ booth and seating area
Where: 95 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 5DJ
Dirty Martini
What: Bar with private upstairs Martini Lounge with space for up to 80 guests
Where: 31 King Street, Leeds, LS1 2HL
The End
What: Space for up to 300 guests with food, drink and entertainment packages
Where: Hirst's Yard, Leeds, LS1 6NJ
Archive
What: Bar close to the city centre with space for up to 250 seated or standing. Private hire includes projector, screen, private bar and garden, plus fairy and festoon lights
When: 94 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1HD
Springwell
What: Private hire space upstairs in North Brewing Co.'s flagship brewery with food options from Little Bao Boy
After probably a few too many champagnes last night, here's 10 of the best walks in and around Leeds and West Yorkshire to blow away the cobwebs.
It's time for your annual New Year's Day outing and we've rounded up 10 of the best walks in and around Leeds and West Yorkshire so you can win over your family with an all-new wintertime wander.
Whether you're a lover of a good reservoir or have a soft spot for birdwatching, these countywide trails have their own little quirks and we're sure you'll find one that's tailored to you.
So grab your scarf, dust off your old stompers and kick start the New Year by accomplishing one of these lovely West Yorkshire walking routes.
Swinsty Reservoir
Swinsty Reservoir is a beautiful walk just north of Otley, West Yorkshire / Credit: @the_running_mum and @skybluesophie on Instagram
In the picturesque Washburn Valley just north of Otley and west of Harrogate, lies the beautiful Swinsty Reservoir.
This walk is relatively easy, it’s about 3 miles in length and has plenty of flat gravel paths and pitstops for you to rest along the way.
The walk encircles the entire reservoir and provides breath-taking views across the water and the surrounding landscape.
Fewston Reservoir
Fewston Reservoir neighbours Swinsty Reservoir and is a perfect New Year walking spot / Credit: @macaloon on Instagram
If Swinsty isn’t long enough for you and you’d like a bit more of a challenge then try it’s neighbouring reservoir, Fewston.
Wrapping all the way around the beautiful Fewston reservoir, crossing over Fewston embankment you are spoilt for choice with spectacular views of both reservoirs.
You can also extend your walk by exploring nearby routes including Fewston and Timble Ings. The route is mostly flat with some short sections of path with fairly steep gradient and rockier terrain.
Ilkley Moor
One of West Yorkshire's most iconic walking destinations and definitely ideal for Boxing Day / Credit: @thisthewaytodisco on Instagram
Bob over to Ilkley and head towards the iconic Cow and Calf rocks on Ilkley Moor.
Although the walk may seem daunting, there’s an easy path to follow at a moderate gradient to guide you all the way. Hike up to the top, breathe in that good Yorkshire air and marvel at the impressive panoramic views of the town and beyond.
The good news is, there’s a pub just a stone’s throw away if you fancy a cold pint or a well-deserved roast after your walk.
The Otley Chevin
The Otley Chevin has something for all walkers, woodland trails and scenic countryside views / Credit: @carolineinthecountryside on Instagram
The Otley Chevin is a gorgeous forest park overlooking the quaint market town below. It’s the ideal place to take your furry friend for a walk, enjoy the spectacular views and breathe in the good Yorkshire air.
Located the luscious Wharfe Valley the park is full of criss-cross paths, impressive woodlands and breathtaking views at every turn. With walking trails, picnic spots, organised events and woodland to explore, there is something for everyone.
Castle Hill
Huddersfield's highest point also doubles as a fantastic walk with stunning views of West Yorkshire / Credit: @malajusted1 on Instagram
This one’s a steep one but your hard work pays off when you reach its summit, 1,000 feet above sea level, offering some of the best views of Huddersfield and West Yorkshire on a clear day.
For any history lovers or architecture admirers, there’s also an impressive tower dedicated to Queen Victoria which was built to honour her Diamond Jubilee back in 1897.
There’s numerous ways you can trek up to this Huddersfield hilltop but the right way is visiting rural watering hole The Victoria as you stroll back down. Let’s face it, nothing feels more rewarding than grabbing a crisp pint in a cosy pub after a pretty steep walk.
Newmiller Dam
Credit: @
If feeling the burn wasn’t on your Boxing Day itinerary, there’s a much simpler and flatter walk that lasts just under an hour and feels like a mini oasis , even if it is adjacent to a main road.
Up for a little detour? Newmiller Dam near Wakefield has a handful of off-track routes you can explore to extend your walk’s duration with benches scattered throughout to take in all its natural beauty.
This reservoir has a cute café attached to it, The Boathouse, which is quite the spectacle, offering up amazing food, themed events as well as being the home to an engagement or two over the years.
RSPB St. Aidans
St. Aidans is the perfect place for a long stroll and a spot of birdwatching right here in Leeds / Credit: The Hoot Leeds / @f.e.wildlifephotography on Instagram
Although this Leeds wildlife haven isn’t open on New Year's Day, this list has plenty of walks to pick from for the second biggest day of the year, and this spot can slot in somewhere else in your seasonal schedule.
Thinking you won’t spot any beautiful birds during the wintertime? The RSPB note you should keep an eye out for short eared owls, geese and ducks.
Home to a reservoir, pool and five lakes, you can follow a range of official routes ranging from 20 minutes to an hour or take a detour if you fancy immersing yourself in all the glory St. Aidans has to offer.
Baitings Reservoir
On the edge of West Yorkshire is the glorious Baitings Reservoir with an equally grand dam / Credit: @dronejp_ on Instagram
If you’re venturing over the moors this New Year to visit friends and family in Greater Manchester, why not stop off at this next site on the way back home?
Baitings Reservoir next to Ripponden gives you the choice to walk around the large-spanning enclosed water or roam around the accompanying hillsides.
Use the natural resources to your advantage and live out your Glinda fantasy by giving hair a little “toss toss” as you walk across the raised dam path which is usually a little bit windy.
Withens Clough
Next to Hebden Bridge is Withens Clough a West Yorkshire walk with two pubs closeby/ Credit: @ericbroug on Instagram
Two pubs, multiple views of Stoodley Pike and nestled next to a cute Calderdale village, if that didn't grab your attention we don’t know what will.
Less than five miles from Hebden Bridge and bordering Cragg Vale, Withens Clough is an hour long walk with the moors surrounding you on either side.
This walk is a crowd pleaser with two pubs within 15 minutes from the trail serving up food fit for everyone, vegans and veggies too.
Brontë Waterfall
You might feel inspired to write a prose or two while you're walking around Brontë Waterfall/ Credit: @mostlymedieval on Instagram
Situated in Haworth, if you start from Main Street this walk takes 45 minutes, or there’s a free car park at Penistone Hill Country Park which shortens your trail to 25 minutes if you’ve just devoured your Boxing Day leftovers .
As you rove along you’ll stumble upon ‘Charlotte’s Chair’, an L-shaped stone believed to be the sacred spot where this Bronte sister put pen to paper.
The website may encourage you to dip your feet in the cold moorland water, but on a cold winter’s day this might be too adventurous.
Surprising new survey reveals the top 10 most disliked Christmas foods
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed the top 10 festive foods that Brits dislike the most, and number one isn't sprouts.
If there's one thing for certain, a lot of food gets consumed at Christmas.
Christmas is just as much about the food as it is anything else, especially as shops and supermarkets tend to go all out with the festive feasting specials - with treats stacked top to bottom on the shelves.
But surprisingly, a few of those foods are actually among the most disliked by the younger generations once the festive season rolls around.
The top 10 most disliked Christmas foods have been revealed / Credit: GoodFon | Flickr
A new poll by of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas, carried out by Aldi, has found that those born in 1996 or later are apparently "turning their back on" traditional favourites.
This is all in favour of festive dishes with some sort of "modern twist".
Of the traditional favourites, Christmas pudding is one of the least-loved festive foods, along with Christmas cake and trifle - with more than half (56%) of respondents describing them as "dated".
Top 10 most disliked Christmas foods
Mince pies - 31%
Christmas pudding - 29%
Christmas cake - 25%
Cranberry sauce - 25%
Brussels sprouts - 24%
Bread sauce - 22%
Chestnuts - 21%
Brandy butter - 20%
Turkey - 20%
Trifle - 19%
Despite what many would expect though, number one on the list is not the usual scapegoat of sprouts, as instead it's mince pies that take the top spot, with the little green vegetables coming in fifth place just behind cranberry sauce at four, Christmas cake in third, and Christmas pudding at two.
Additional research from the supermarket found that the main reasons Brits would like to change up Christmas dinner is to fit personal taste preferences better (34%), or to be more inclusive for dietary restrictions (27%).
26% said they want to switch things up just to be more exciting or adventurous in general.
Sophie Smith -
8th November 2023 
