Sitting on the outskirts of Leeds is an exceptional medieval manor house combining cosy countryside staycation and history field trip in one.
Part ruin, part historic holiday let, Grade I-listed Calverly Hall is of great historical importance and ranks in the top 2.5% of all listed buildings in the country.
With various parts of the building dating from the 13th to 17th centuries, it is now being painstakingly restored to its original glory – a project that has so far spanned over two decades.
Whilst the restoration is finished it remains open to holiday lets, giving visitors exclusive access to some of the historic ruins contained on site.
These include the 15th-century great hall and 14th-century solar, awe-inspiring in scale but currently derelict and floorless. Both still contain the remains of eighteenth-century dwellings.
It also has a fascinating murderous past.
Inhabited by the Lords of the Manor of Calverley from around 1250 to the 18th century, as the story goes one Walter Calverley brought the family into disrepute when he murdered half of his family there in 1605.
Calverley Hall
He'd lost his father at an early age and, after returning from Cambridge, was forced by his guardian to break off an engagement with a neighbour and instead marry a young woman he did not actually like.
This led to him developing a gambling habit and running up some serious debts - mortgaging all his lands and spending his wife's dowry.
When news reached him that a family member had been arrested for what he owed, he allegedly flew into a rage and attacked his two small children before turning on his wife.
The house later fell into disrepair before being rescued at auction by the Landmark Trust in 1981.
With various parts of the building dating from the 13th to 17th centuries, it is now being painstakingly restored to its original glory - a project that has so far spanned over two decades.
Whilst the restoration is finished it remains open to holiday lets, giving visitors exclusive access to some of the historic ruins contained on site.
These include the 15th-century great hall and 14th-century solar, awe-inspiring in scale but currently derelict and floorless. Both still contain the remains of eighteenth-century dwellings.
Sitting on the outskirts of Leeds, it is a quirky choice for summer staycations - perfectly situated for country woodland walks and trips into the city for dinner alike.
There are also some good walks from the door to local pubs and the Liverpool-Leeds canal.
With room to sleeps five, bedrooms are comprised of one master bed, one twin room and one single. The property is also dog friendly, so no need to leave your furry friends behind.
The magnificent, heavily-beamed main living space combines a cosy place by the fire with a formal dining area, whilst the vast master bedroom is light and spacious - overlooked by a grand portrait.
Priced £311 for four nights (equivalent £15.95 per person per night), relax in gracious 17th-century rooms, complete with fine moulded beams and flagstone floors.
News
Even MORE padel courts are coming to a former film studio in Leeds city centre
It's looking like the whole of Leeds might turn into padel courts before we know it.
The padel craze is well and truly thriving, because over the past few months we've had not one, not two, but THREE new padel courts being announced in the city.
We're not quite sure why, but something about that little racket and ball is really getting the people going - and we love to see it.
So, the next lot of padel courts is set to move into the part of a former film studio on Whitehall Road.
If granted permission by Leeds City Council, eight padel courts will be created at the Versa Studios site in Holbeck, along with an onsite cafe and bar.
Council planners have said the new development would boost access to sports facilities and create jobs in the local area.
The report said: “The development will generate around 15 new jobs, contribute to the local economy and create wider spin-off benefits for the city centre fringe.
“It will also deliver important social and health benefits, encouraging more people to participate in sport and promoting an active lifestyle within an inclusive and accessible setting.”
A design report by Quantam Padel said new courts were needed to meet the ongoing growing demand for the sport, and we can believe that.
It said: "The proposal aims to deliver a high quality padel tennis centre.
“Padel tennis is more accessible to those whose level of fitness, agility or skill make conventional tennis or squash overly challenging and difficult to play.”
So, what do you make of this? Can there be one padel court too many?
Sheffield’s Peddler Market to relaunch as FREE monthly mini music festival
Clementine Hall
Peddler’s 13th year marks a bold new direction for the free monthly event.
Peddler Market began its life 12 years ago as a street food night market with a sprinkling of live music and DJs.
Now that they're synonymous with bringing some of the best street food the UK has to offer to Sheffield, the organisers are now heading in a new direction.
Peddler will now offer a five-stage monthly music festival, spread across their Kelham Island footprint - maintaining its ‘free entry’ ethos for customers.
Image: Supplied
But don't worry, food will still be a key component all whilst increasing their to platform some of the best local promoters, record shops, DJs and bands across Sheffield.
But now, they're bringing five stages to Peddler, working with some of the best up and coming and well established promoters in and across the city.
“Twelve years ago, we filled a gap that Sheffield really needed,” Jordan Roberts - owner, says. “Since then, it’s nourished this huge gastronomic change within the city. Now there’s food halls and street food everywhere, which is great because people have choice – at peddler amazing street food is a given but now you can expect much more”
Image: Supplied
"I wanted to create a labyrinth of exploration like that you find at a proper festival, tread the zones, sample the delights and find your vibe. It’s like a little mini festival,” Jordan says.
“With Tramlines and We Out Here being huge inspiration for the next gen development. There’s a car park stage, the inside main stage, a courtyard stage, the factory floor and activities happening in the basement underneath too,” Jordan explains. “Bands, DJs, the whole thing.”
Image: Supplied
“We’ve always been a street food event with two music stages,” he explains. “Now we’re excited to bring five stages, working with some of the best up and coming and well established promoters in and across the city. After more than 100 Peddler Markets where we’ve always hosted a free entry gig.
"We’ll still host our street food partners, who love seeing all the Sheffield foodies. However, the changing music line up will help you ‘save the date’ making each month even more unmissable”
The first edition of the reformatted Peddler lands on the usual first Friday and Saturday of the month on 5-6 June and promises a sprawling, multi-space experience inspired as much by classic city festivals as warehouse parties and independent culture.
Georgina Pellant -
7th May 2021 
