Let's be honest, if you haven't heard about North Brewing Co. - where have you been?
The Leeds institution is known far and wide for brewing some of the north's most-loved drinks.
Now, celebrating the brewery's renowned selections of IPAs, experimental beer releases and craft ales, North Brewing Co. is bringing back Springwell Sessions just in time for the bank holiday weekend: a three day festival full of street food, alcohol and tunes.
Taking place on Friday 28 - Sunday 30 April 2023, four sessions across three days will bring together the best local independents in the area, as well as around the world breweries just outside of the city centre at North Brewing Co.'s own brewery, Springwell.
Images: Springwell
Hosted at Springwell, the indoor-outdoor event is going to be transformed into a collaborative space for some of the UK's favourite brands. Local favourites Bundobust Brewery will sit alongside DEYA, Cloudwater, and Brulo, amongst other exciting names in the beer world from near and far - including exciting appearances from overseas breweries.
Expect to taste the likes of Basqueland in Spain, Denmark's own ToØI, and from Berlin, Fuerst Wiacek.
And that's just the beginning.
Natural wine bar and deli Bottle Chop, famed in Far Headingley for its reusable wine initiative and standout selection of drinks will also be in attendance to give wine drinkers a taste of something a little different (and delicious) whilst the dedicated festival bar will be bringing fruity cocktails to the masses all day long.
Foodwise, those attending are going to be truly spoilt for choice.
Sicilian foodie favourites Poco Sicilian Street Food will be on hand to pair pints with pizza al taglio and fresh snacks like arancini and cannoli whilst vegan specialists Döner Summer will be bringing a selection of plant-based 'doner' similar to the teller trays and loaded fries drenched in sauce and salads served in the Call Lane store.
Little Bao Boy. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Springwell Sessions returns in April. / Image: Springwell
Jay Rayner recently reviewed Mor Mor's Levantine cuisine over at Kino, and it's safe to say that the standout review has left the pop-up kitchen highly esteemed across the city and beyond. Bringing a new Mexican concept to Springwell Sessions named Salma la Fondita - expect everything you know and love from the chefs at MorMor, just with foodie options inspired by North and Central America rather than the Levant.
Resident kitchens Little Bao Boy and Kerbside Kids will be cooking up their much-loved menu of steamed baos and smash burgers at Springwell over the weekender too - and just because they're permanently placed at the brewery certainly doesn't mean they should be overlooked for the occasion.
Whilst there will be plenty of alcohol for the grown ups to while away the afternoon, this is still very much a family occasion (dogs included), but in particular the Sunday session offers free entry for kids and a silent warehouse disco for all.
Springwell Sessions takes places across four sessions. / Image: Springwell
Tickets and Times
There will be four sessions in total taking place across the long weekend, with tickets to each event costing £12.96 (including a booking fee).
This gives you entry to the festival, a commemorative refillable glass to use throughout the event and take home with you afterwards, as well as a beer programme and a £1 donation to charity partners St George's Crypt.
Alternatively, you can grab yourself a ticket for the full weekend over all four sessions for £40.
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
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.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent 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.
Image: Supplied
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.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Leeds city centre crowned one of the best places to live in the north by The Sunday Times
Clementine Hall
Today, Leeds city centre earned itself a coveted spot in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.
What brilliant news to end the week on, hey?
Leeds city centre was amongst eight other locations across the north and the north east to be featured on the list.
The market town of Skipton took home the dazzling first prize, but it's still nice to be included isn't it.
Here's what the judges had to say about Leeds city centre: “Leeds has five universities, the fourth largest urban economy in the UK (with job opportunities in finance, insurance and big business), a youthful vibe and a relatively affordable average house price (£285,100).
Image: Unsplash
“Stay close to the centre, where you won’t have to worry about the patchy public transport, and it all adds up to a fun-filled, fulfilled life within walking distance of stylish shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. There’s a good choice of riverside homes, where you may spot kingfishers and otters, and even the schools are good.”
In total, 72 places across the UK were selected by The Sunday Times to showcase the very best of Britain, with Norwich named the overall national winner.
The full list of locations in the north and northeast include:
Skipton
Howardian Hills, North Yorkshire
Leeds city centre
Morpeth, Northumberland
Newcastle: Gosforth
Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire
Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire
York
Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: “This guide is a great opportunity to highlight the best places in Britain.
“It is full of places that show that our village, town and city centres can still be full of life, as well as places bursting with natural beauty, culture, connectivity and most importantly a sense of community.
“Our expert team of judges visit every location on the list and talk to the locals to find out what they love about the place they live."
Sophie Smith -
27th March 2023 
