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Leeds’ Roundhay Park ranked as one of the UK’s most popular green spaces

Obviously.

Clementine Hall - 23rd May 2025

We've been blessed with some beautiful weather recently, so where better to go than Roundhay Park?

And it seems like we aren't the only ones to have that smart idea, as the park has just been ranked the eight most popular in the whole of the UK.

The ranking comes from a new study carried out by idealo who set out to find the ten most popular green spaces in the country where people are flocking to when the sun makes an appearance.

They analysed over 50 parks across the UK, using key metrics such as park ratings, monthly searches, and the number of TikTok and Instagram posts to reveal the nation's most popular.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Richmond Park in London took the number one spot, earning a high average rating of 4.7 out of 5.

It’s also social media favourite, appearing in over 503,000 Instagram posts and nearly 10,000 TikToks.

Second and third spot were also in London, both Hyde Park and Greenwich Park ranked highly with a joint average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Image: Unsplash

Our beloved Roundhay Park came in at a very respectable number eight spot, with a rating of 4.6, 4,600 Google searches as well as 77,200 Instagram posts and 1,433 TikToks.

And it comes as no surprise, Roundhay Park consists of 700 acres and is one of Europe's biggest city parks and its rolling hills and vast lakes make it the ideal spot for a picnic in the sunshine.

It's often hosting events such as the North Leeds Food Festival, and it's home to an abundance of wildlife including woodpeckers, swans and herons.

So get packing your picnic basket and make your way to Roundhay Park to soak in that sunshine.

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Featured image - Unsplash

Leeds

The Shawshank Redemption comes to Leeds Grand Theatre: a story of hope, survival and humanity

More than a prison story: it’s a discovery into toxic masculinity within prisons.

Adapting a film as iconic and widely loved as The Shawshank Redemption for the stage comes with enormous expectations, yet this touring production at Leeds Grand Theatre delivers a gripping and emotionally charged theatrical experience.

Rather than relying solely on the legacy of the film, the production successfully uses the intimacy of live theatre to create a darker, more psychologically intense interpretation of Stephen King’s story.

From the opening moments, the audience is immersed in the harsh world of Shawshank prison. The cold lighting, industrial staging and haunting sound design establish an atmosphere dominated by confinement, fear and institutional control.

Image: Supplied

The stripped-back set works effectively in creating a bleak and claustrophobic environment, allowing the emotional tension between characters to take centre stage. Unlike the cinematic scale of the film, the stage adaptation feels far more immediate and uncomfortable, forcing the audience to confront the realities of prison life at close range.

Joe McFadden delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as Andy Dufresne, capturing the character’s quiet resilience, intelligence and emotional vulnerability without attempting to imitate the film portrayal.

Image: Supplied

Ben Onwukwe is equally compelling as Red, bringing warmth, humour and emotional depth to the role. The chemistry between the two actors becomes the emotional core of the production, perfectly reflecting the play’s themes of friendship, survival and hope.

One of the production’s strongest aspects is its exploration of toxic masculinity within the prison system. Shawshank is presented as an environment where power is maintained through aggression, intimidation and emotional suppression.

Image: Supplied

Vulnerability becomes dangerous, while violence and dominance are treated as necessary forms of survival. Bill Ward’s portrayal of Warden Stammas embodies this culture perfectly, delivering a performance filled with controlled menace, hypocrisy and quiet authority.

However, there were moments where the production lost some emotional realism. Several stage combat sequences, intended to highlight the brutality and hierarchy of prison life, felt under-rehearsed and lacked the intensity needed to fully convey the violence of the narrative. At times, the choreography appeared slightly unstructured, unintentionally reducing the tension of scenes that should have felt genuinely threatening.

Image: Supplied

Similarly, while the minimal set design effectively reinforced the oppressive atmosphere of Shawshank, the visual staging occasionally became repetitive throughout the production. Aside from the movement of Dufresne’s cell and the recurring use of the mobile bookcase, there was limited visual variation across scenes. Although this may have been a deliberate directorial choice to reflect the monotony of prison life, it did affect the pacing at points, with some audience engagement appearing to dip during slower sections.

Despite these criticisms, the production remains a powerful and emotionally resonant piece of theatre. Through strong performances, effective direction and its exploration of institutional power and masculinity, The Shawshank Redemption captures the endurance of hope and humanity in even the darkest environments. Thought-provoking, intense and deeply moving, it is a production that earns every moment of its standing ovation.

Running from 18 - 23 May at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House, you can get your tickets here.

Read more: Inside Pardon Me – Leeds’ newest neighbourhood record bar inspired by Japan

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci spotted in Ilkley at local coffee shop

Clementine Hall

A neighbourhood coffee shop were left starstruck as Stanley Tucci popped in for a brew.

It seems that even Hollywood A-listers love a trip to the beloved spa town of Ilkley.

Stanley Tucci, known for his iconic roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Lovely Bones and The Hunger Games was seen in Ilkley yesterday, Tuesday 19 May.

Thirty Nine Coffee Company, a popular brunch spot on Ilkley's main street The Grove, welcomed Tucci and his crew for a coffee after he was spotted filming at a local pub just across the road.

Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co

After this, it was said he went to go watch his own film The Devil Wears Prada 2 at The Ilkley Cinema.

Posting the news to Instagram, Thirty Nine Coffee Company said: "Look who popped in for a Thirty Nine coffee - awesome to meet the amazing @stanleytucci - what an amazing chap and lovely crew - so glad you enjoyed our coffee!"

Pictures were posted of Stanley taking selfies with the staff, clad in his usual trendy get-up consisting of chunky glasses, flat cap, wax jacket and scarf.

Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co

The owners of Thirty Nine said he loved his coffee that they served him and hey, if it's good enough for Stanley then it's good enough for us.

It's not clear what he was filming in Ilkley, but the actor is known for presenting a number of foodie documentaries so it could be something to do with this. We'll keep you posted when we know more.

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Featured image - Thirty Nine Coffee Company