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The best things to do in Horsforth at the weekend
Whether you're looking for a lazy day reading the paper in a coffee house or heading out with the kids, Horsforth has so many activities to get involved in over the weekend.
One of Leeds' most prestigious postcodes comes with endless things to do at the weekend.
Horsforth was voted one of the top ten 'Most Desirable Postcodes in the UK', according to a survey by the Centre for Economic and Business Research in 2017 and it's easy to see why the LS18 postcode made it onto the prestigious list.
The charming village is just five miles north from Leeds city centre and seems to have taken all of our favourite things about living in Yorkshire and brought them to its population of 19,000 residents.
Whether you're looking for a bite to eat in a quirky little cafe; a pub to chill with the locals or ways to spend your weekends in true bliss, Horsforth has some of the best activities to offer in Leeds.
Get lunch at Truly scrummy
Image: Truly Scrummy
Need an afternoon pick me up? This local cafe and delicatessen located on Town Street, serve up delicious coffee, light deli-style lunches and sweet treats galore. All the dishes are made fresh on site using local ingredients, giving you the real taste of Yorkshire in the heart of Horsforth.
Share the Truly Scrummy Deli Platter consisting of local meats, cheeses and homemade bread or opt for something sweet with a warm baked scone served with Rodda's clotted cream and jam. They also do a fantastic afternoon tea for 2 for just £25. On details on how to book, check out their website.
Share a pizza at Trattoria Ill Forno
Image: Trattoria Ill Forno
This neighbourhood Italian is a firm favourite with the locals. They serve freshly cooked pizzas which are definitely big enough to share in a cozy, intimate setting. The staff are uber friendly and make you feel right at home.
Their menu has every pizza you can think of including all the classics, and if you're a meat lover you have to try their Pizza alle Polpette which is topped with homemade beef meatballs, bell peppers and jalapeños. You can order a small or a large which is a whopping 20 inches and if you're feeling indecisive, you can choose two different toppings to have on your large pizza, it's a win win.
Fancy some vegan food? Well The Greenhouse is the place to go. This cafe and bakery serve 100% plant-based food which is 100% delicious. We can't wait to try the Carrot Lux, a pillowy bagel topped with vegan cream cheese and carrot lux which is basically a carrot substitute for salmon, cool right?
We've also got our eye on the Love Raw Bubble Waffles which are topped with toasted marshmallows and melted chocolate, as well as the vegan pie of the day which is doused in vegan custard. All of the food looks almost too good to eat (emphasis on almost).
There's a drink and a meal for everyone at The Malt Brewhouse. / Image: The Malt Brewhouse
There's nothing quite like sipping a pint that's created in-house. The Malt Brewhouse provide 16 lines of beer, including cask ales supplied by their onsite microbrewery, making it the ideal stop for a large party. Browse from their plentiful menu and then get your team down to the shuffleboard area: the first in Horsforth and unwind with a game or two.
The brewhouse also show live sports on Sundays and run offers throughout the week, including £2.50 cask ales on a Wednesday and fizz Fridays, where a bottle of prosecco is knocked down to just £15. Grab a pizza from their kitchen and you'll be sorted for the evening.
The ever-changing menu means that you'll always be finding your new favourite treat. / Image: Woodlawn Coffee Co.
Fuel yourself for the day with a proper good ol' English breakfast. Woodlawn are locally known for their sausages and poached eggs that will have you set to take on anything the day will throw at you. Perfectly-cooked pancakes with a latte or hot chocolate are a winner for anyone with a sweet tooth too.
The independent cafe hosts prints and small gifts, designed by local artists underneath their intimately-lit fairy lights that illuminate the small cafe. Feel at home on a cold wintry morning here and slump into one of their cosy chairs and let the morning pass you by.
Nothing says quaint urban-country village like a trip to the farm. None Go Bye Farm have got you covered for locally-sourced meat and groceries. This family-friendly spot is perfect for all ages as in true farm-to-table style, you can visit the animals in the barns.
Think scratching the belly of a pig, whilst rabbit hop towards your feet: you'll be ready for a day on the farm in no time. There are also donkeys, goats, geese, rhea and prairie dogs that can be fed using the special animal feed available from inside the farm shop.
The green spaces offers plenty of quiet spots to people watch and take in the views around the park. / Image: Wikicommons
Horsforth Hall Park is a particular favourite with locals. As an accessible and inclusive space, the children's play area has been recently upgraded include disabled play equipment and disabled parking is also available in the main car park. There is also a skate park, trim trail and huge spider's web for all ages to enjoy.
The true beauty of Horsforth Hall Park has to be their stunning Japanese garden. The tranquil space is inspired by traditional Asian landscapes and is complete with brightly coloured bridges across the little streams and ponds filled with local wildlife.
Eat what makes you happy is all we need: no negative vibes here. / Image: Residence 74
As well as serving a true English breakfast until 4pm, Residence 74 know exactly the way to our hearts, and stomachs. Their slogan 'eat what makes you happy' exactly what a welcoming space this is and with their food rated the best in Horsforth, it's definitely worth stopping for a brew and a bite to eat.
Seasonal dishes like freshly made soup of the day, tuna melt grilled sandwich with homemade red onion chutney and a vegan SLT (that's vegan sausages, lettuce and tomato with houmous) are just some of the flavours available.
This quaint little shop is the perfect place to sample a few different wines before settling on one, buying it and taking it home to enjoy whilst watching the telly. It's also a great place to sample an extensive selection of craft beer and devour some cheese and charcuterie because what is wine without cheese, right?
With the fairy tale name comes a fairy tale experience for wine lovers, you should definitely pop in and see for yourself to find your happy ending.
If your attempts at creating art over lockdown didn't quite go to plan, why not have another go in the company of professionals at Firefly Pottery. Create with clay on the potter's wheel or learn hand-building techniques to make a sculpture of your own.
If painting sounds more therapeutic then there are still plenty of options available for you. Either paint your own pot or dive into a selection of pre-made dishes, mugs and more and channel your inner Picasso.
Leeds Festival is returning to Bramham Park for perhaps its biggest lineup yet, and here’s everything you need to know ahead of this huge live music weekend.
The enormous annual festival - twinned with Reading down south - will this year welcome headline performances from Fontaines DC, Florence & The Machine, Dave, Raye, Charli XCX, and Chase & Status.
But the wider lineup will cover everything from hip hop to pure pop, indie rock to metal, because if there’s one thing that Leeds Festival boasts, it’s an eclectic and diverse music soundscape for all to enjoy.
Leeds Festival has been providing Yorkshire residents and festival-goers from across the UK with some cracking acts and performers since 1999 - and this year is no different.
Here's everything you need to know if you're going to Leeds Festival 2026.
Leeds Festival 2026 lineup
Fontaines DC are one of the headliners of Leeds Festival 2026
Headliners for Leeds Fest 2026 will include Charli XCX, Chase & Status Live, Dave, Florence + The Machine, Fontaines D.C. and RAYE, with Kasabian making history as the first-ever Thursday night headliner at Leeds Festival.
They are joined across the weekend by the likes of Skepta, Sombr, Role Model, Blossoms, Declan McKenna, JADE, Maisie Peters, Keo, Kneecap, Geese, Kettama, Holly Humberstone and many more.
The 2026 festival will also look very different on site, with The Grid, The Gallery, The Warehouse, The Ballroom and The Canopy making up the new-look stage offering, alongside returning late-night favourite LS23.
The revamped layout is being billed as the biggest staging and arena overhaul in the festival's history.
Leeds Festival 2026 stage times - Thursday 27 August
The Grid
7pm – Arkayla
7:55pm – The Lathums
9:20pm – Kasabian
LS23
10pm – CamUKG
11:15pm – Halfpint
12:30am – C100
2am – Lens
Friday 28 August
Chase & Status will perform at Leeds Festival 2026Florence and the Machine will perform at Leeds Festival 2026
The Grid
12:15pm – 54 Ultra
1:30pm – Dylan John Thomas
2:45pm – Arthur Hill
3:55pm – Blossoms
5:25pm – Role Model
7:20pm – Florence + The Machine
9:30pm – Chase & Status Live
The Gallery
12pm – Mulaa Joans
12:50pm – After
1:40pm – Holly Humberstone
2:45pm – Julia Wolf
4pm – Duke Dumont
5:30pm – The K’s
7:15pm – Kettama
9:40pm – Kneecap
The Warehouse
12:25pm – [IVY]
1:25pm – Saint Ludo
2:55pm – Hamdi
3:55pm – Notion
5:25pm – SOTA
6:25pm – Hedex
7:25pm – Hybrid Minds
The Ballroom
12:40pm – Betty
1:45pm – Westside Cowboy
2:55pm – Dexter In The Newsagent
4:10pm – The Clause
5:45pm – WHATMORE
7:20pm – Bassvictim
9:30pm – Paris Paloma
The Canopy
12pm – Alex Spencer
12:40pm – She’s Green
1:20pm – Raynor
2pm – December 10
2:50pm – Untitled
3:40pm – Kilu
4:35pm – Violet Grohl
5:55pm – F3miii
LS23
11pm – ZERO
12:30am – 1991
1:45am – CROSSY
Saturday 29 August
Charli XCX is a Saturday headliner
The Grid
12:30pm – Beth McCarthy
1:25pm – Keo
2:35pm – James Marriott
3:45pm – Declan McKenna
5:15pm – Skepta
7:10pm – Charli XCX
9:20pm – Fontaines D.C.
The Gallery
12pm – JD Cliffe
12:30pm – DJ EJ
1:30pm – Rose Gray
2:45pm – ADELA
4pm – Skye Newman
5:20pm – Geese
7:20pm – SINN6R
9:05pm – 4AM Kru
The Warehouse
12pm – Meeshy
1:15pm – Djammin
2:30pm – Julian Fijma
3:30pm – Omar+
5pm – Locky
7pm – Alisha
9:05pm – Skepta B2B East End Dubs
The Ballroom
12:20pm – Bleech 9:3
1:30pm – Cardinals
2:40pm – Clementine Douglas
4pm – Overpass
5:30pm – Florence Road
7:15pm – Unpeople
9:15pm – YT
The Canopy
12pm – Tooth
12:40pm – Lamb
1:20pm – Florentenes
2pm – The Guest List
3pm – People I’ve Met
4:05pm – Day We Ran
5:05pm – Villanelle
6:05pm – Camille Blackman
LS23
11pm – Delilah
12:30am – Osmosis Jones
1:45am – Soul Mass Transit System
Sunday 30 August
Raye and Dave headline Sunday at Leeds Festival 2026
The Grid
12:05pm – Absolutely
1:35pm – Slayyyter
3pm – Maisie Peters
4:15pm – JADE
5:50pm – Sombr
7:35pm – RAYE
9:35pm – Dave
The Gallery
12pm – M60
12:45pm – Say Now
1:50pm – Clara La San
3:05pm – Kingfishr
4:15pm – Niko B
5:50pm – Nine Vicious
7:20pm – Jamie Webster
9:25pm – Josh Baker
The Warehouse
12pm – Jack Marlow
1:30pm – Silva Bumpa
2:45pm – In Parallel
4pm – Riordan
5:30pm – Mall Grab
7:15pm – Rossi.
The Ballroom
12:30pm – Garage Flower
1:45pm – The North
3pm – Basht.
4:15pm – Bar Italia
5:45pm – The Lilacs
7:40pm – SPEED
The Canopy
12pm – Sade Olutola
12:40pm – Pozzy
1:25pm – Amma
2:05pm – Ruby Roberts
3pm – Cruz Beckham And The Breakers
4pm – Kibo
4:50pm – Finessekid
6pm – Gurriers
LS23
11pm – Megra
12:30am – Pretty Girl
1:45am – Riria
Where can I get tickets for Leeds Festival 2026?
Tickets are available through the official Leeds Festival website and Ticketmaster, with weekend camping, non-camping, and individual day tickets among the options.
At the time of writing, official prices include £325 for weekend camping, £295 for weekend non-camping, £55 for Thursday, £125 for Friday, £155 for Saturday, and £125 for Sunday.
Two-day non-camping tickets are also available at £230.
You can see the latest availability and buy tickets HERE.
Where is Leeds Festival?
Leeds Festival 2026 headliners announced. Credit: Georgina Hurdsfield
Of course you may be thinking this is a silly question to ask considering its location is mentioned in the festival title, however Leeds Festival actually isn’t in the city centre.
Located in Bramham Park, this bank holiday weekend music destination is a 30 minute drive from the city centre.
The full address is: Leeds Festival, Bramham Park, Leeds, England, LS23 6ND.
How to get there
From Leeds City Centre
If you’re travelling from Leeds city centre, the easiest option is to head to Leeds Train Station and catch the dedicated Leeds Festival shuttle bus to Bramham Park.
The festival shuttle operates from Sovereign Square Park, next to Leeds Train Station, from Wednesday 26 August through to Monday 31 August. Tickets can be bought through the First Bus app.
Leeds Train Station is around a 30-minute drive from the festival site, although journey times can vary considerably during the festival due to traffic.
There are regular trains into Leeds from major UK cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and London, making the train-and-shuttle combination one of the simplest ways to reach Bramham Park without driving.
From around the UK
If you're travelling from further afield, the official festival travel partner Big Green Coach is offering return coaches to Leeds Festival from dozens of locations around the UK. Weekend services can arrive on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and return on Monday, while day-return services are available for Thursday through Sunday.
For those driving, festival parking is included with tickets. Drivers should head towards the A1, M1 or A1(M) and then follow the festival's temporary signage, as routes into Bramham Park vary depending on where you're travelling from. The festival advises following the on-the-ground signage rather than relying on old sat-nav directions or printed maps.
If you're being dropped off or collected, use the dedicated Pick Up and Drop Off zone off York Road (A64). There is no pick-up or drop-off facility near Yellow Gate, and the festival warns against stopping or waiting on the A64 or access roads.
For those flying in, Leeds Bradford International Airport is around a 30-minute drive from Bramham Park. You can take the 757 bus into Leeds and then use the festival shuttle from Leeds Train Station, or take a taxi to the station before continuing to the site.
‘Unprecedented’ El Niño to batter UK with storms when it arrives this autumn
Emily Sergeant
This autumn, the UK is being told to brace for a series of storms when the 'unprecedented' El Niño weather event arrives.
It's already been a summer of extremes for the country, with multiple heatwaves over the past couple of months, but now it appears that autumn and winter are set to have some extremes of their own, as the Met Office is warning that this upcoming El Niño could be one of the most significant in recent memory.
El Niño is declared when sea temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific rise 0.5°C above the long-term average, which therefore impacts global rainfall patterns and average temperatures.
The natural warming of sea temperatures is forecast to reach more than 3°C in the coming months, according to the Met Office, making this year’s weather event have the potential to be 'the largest since the 19th century'.
El Niño will create a heightened risk of drought in the tropics, southern Africa, and north eastern Australia, but over in north western Europe - including the UK - it means we are likely to experience wetter and stormier conditions.
The UK, and of course Yorkshire, is absolutely no stranger to a storm around this time of year, but forecasters say this could be an entirely different beast.
The UK is set to be battered by storms as 'unprecedented' El Niño arrives this autumn / Credit: Johannes Plenio (via Unsplash)
"We should be clear that this is an unprecedented event," warned Professor Adam Scaife, who is the Head of Long Range Forecasting at the Met Office.
"I have never seen an El Nino signal this intense in our forecasts."
Professor Scaife concluded: "A typical El Nino leads to an equatorial Pacific sea-surface temperature rise of between one to 2°C, with 2°C being a really big event. This implies that, if the forecast is accurate, and other forecast systems show similar extreme values, then 2026 will far exceed our recent experience of El Niño and its worldwide climate influences.'
Forecasters and officials, however, have warned that it could take months of sustained rainfall before rivers, reservoirs, and groundwaters are 'completely replenished' - which is when a drought can officially be declared as over.
It also warned drought conditions could persist into the new year as, despite El Niño, as current forecasts do not suggest this autumn will have the amount of rainfall needed to drive recovery.
Sophie Smith -
22nd October 2021 
