'The best and buzziest city in the north' is right here in Leeds.
It's official.
Leeds has come up top as the best place to live in the north and northeast by The Times.
In the annual 'best places to live list', our city was recognised for its 'youthful energy' and it's opportunities to thrive that aren't limited by age, or position on the property ladder: "the chance to be rich and enriched, to live a good life on a good salary".
The salary and career-climbing opportunities are quickly pointed to in the article, nodding to some of the big names that have set up in Leeds, making the city the UK’s biggest financial and legal centre outside London, and a true 'northern powerhouse' with the 'best-paying jobs in the provinces, ahead of Bristol, Cambridge and Manchester'.
And in terms of things to do, The Times recognised the limitless potential of Leeds, naming everything from Opera North, ("the only city outside London to have its own theatres, ballet and opera house"), the Royal Armouries and the Henry Moore Institute in the city centre, before praising our 'funky neighbourhoods' in the suburbs.
Chapel Allerton is a Sunday Times favourite, and has featured on its best places to live list for a number of years, but The Times praised the suburb here for "its tarted-up terraces and the award-winning cheesemonger George & Joseph"; before moving on to highlight Headingley, "where young families dodge students on the Otley Run (two and a half miles of pubs and bars, usually in fancy dress)," as well as Meanwood, Oakwood and Roundhay, "where 1920s and 1930s semis back on to shopping parades and well-kept parks."
Other notable mentions for Leeds will come as no surprise for locals: Kirkgate Market, the Corn Exchange and Trinity were all noted as top shopping spots whilst Salvo's and The Vinyl Whistle in Headingley; Tandem in Headingley and The Little Bookshop in Chapel Allerton all make ideal locations to pass the afternoon away in the outskirts of the city.
The Times noted that towns and cities across the UK were chosen this year for their ability to suit everyone: "whether they’re first-time buyers looking for city life, families seeking schools, healthy activities and green space, or active downsizers looking to enjoy the best of the great outdoors".
Previous national winners, including nearby York, that have "high house prices driven by high demand" did not make the cut this year, and instead the judges searched for "improving locations with a strong sense of community rather than high house prices driven by high demand."
Whilst Leeds was the overall best in the north, there were additional places in West Yorskhire that received a favourable mention from the judges: including Saltaire "A fancy, funky and functional village vibe within commuting distance of Leeds and Bradford" and Boston Spa "Move over Harrogate and put a spring in your step — this village’s Costcutter offers fine wines".
It all started back in 1961 when Hungarian butcher Sandor Béres left his home city of Budapest during the 1956 uprising against the Stalinist government.
After the government took control of his father's butchers shops, Sandor set out to establish the chain once more and so, Béres was born.
And thank god it was, as for over 60 years now their iconic pork sandwich has been fuelling the hungry people of Sheffield, and we'd go as far to say it's one of the best sarnies in the city.
Images: The Sheff
Hot roast pork, herby stuffing, crispy crackling and fruity apple sauce all crammed into a soft bap - it really doesn’t get much better than that.
But, what makes it so special? Béres claims it's all in the preparation and quality control.
Being a traditional butchers, their pork joints are traditionally roasted and cured in house to give that succulent texture and crispy crackling every single time.
They use around seven tonnes of pork and four tonnes of flour per week to feed us hungry lot, and it's no surprise when you see the queues forming outside your local Béres every lunch time.
Images: The Sheff
The very first shop was born at Wadsley Bridge where they quickly built a reputation for their sandwiches, this then allowed them to become a proper Sheffield household name after expanding rapidly through the 2000s.
They now have 14 sites across Sheffield, and each site is as good as the next. Not only are the pork sandwiches class but if you're ever faced with a hangover no matter how severe, their stacked breakfast baps are always there to save the day.
But why we love Béres most of all is the lovely staff who are always there to offer a smile and a chinwag, but what else do you expect from the people of Sheffield hey?
Inside the £1.75m Horsforth farmhouse complete with its very own cottage and five acres of land
Clementine Hall
Go behind the doors of this truly beautiful house on the market in the leafy suburb of Horsforth.
Now this one really is a thing of beauty.
Located on Scotland Lane in Horsforth, The Rookery is an absolutely stunning former Georgian farmhouse dating all the way back to the 19th century.
It occupies a whopping 5,000 sq ft as well as its very own cottage amongst 5.5 acres of land, as well as five double bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Images: Rightmove
And guess what? It's only on the market for a mere guide price of £1.75 million. Pocket change.
In the main house you're welcomed with a grand entrance hall and staircase leading through to a series of reception rooms on the ground floor, how posh. Here you'll also find a wet room and an orangery which attaches to the kitchen, even more posh.
Images: Rightmove
Upstairs there's five double bedrooms, three bathrooms and a study - that should be plenty room for us we think.
But the exterior is where it gets really interesting as here you'll find five acres of beautifully maintained gardens featuring an orchard, kitchen garden and a tennis court.
Image: Rightmove
There's also 'stabling suited to equine use, adding further appeal for those with equestrian interests'... we couldn't have put it better ourselves.
Beyond that The Rookery features it's very own detached two-bedroom cottage as well as a garage with mezzanine accommodation.
Images: Rightmove
The entire property looks like something out of a fairytale, so if you're looking to live your best 19th century Bridgerton-esque life, then dig deep and get hold of that £1.75 million.
But if you do buy it, can we please live in the cottage?
Sophie Smith -
15th March 2024 
