Just ten miles outside of Leeds in the village of Bardsey sits an extraordinary pub dating back to a time when Vikings were conquering the country and England was yet to see its first monarch.
Called The Bingley Arms, today it's home to a popular family pub and award-winning restaurant - but it's also got quite the fascinating history.
Said to be home to not one but three ghosts (including the ghost of a dog) guests here have told multiple stories of spooky sightings.
One, known to locals as ‘The Cavalier’, is considered a bit of a practical joker. Appearing in the form of a young girl who was apparently murdered here and now haunts the taproom, she allegedly causes a lot of strange activity to happen at the pub.
It's said that 'The Cavalier' was murdered at the pub and now haunts its taproom / Image: The Bingley Arms
Objects are frequently seen to be moving around and there have been reports of both candles lighting themselves and pans of water boiling on hobs that aren’t switched on.
There are various claims as to how old the pub actually is, ranging between 905 and 953AD.
What we do know is that the hostelry is mentioned in the Domesday Book, which gives it a recorded history up to 953AD, although it's thought it could be even older.
It's named as the UK's oldest pub in the Guinness book of world records and it's also said that there was a man called Samson Ellis first brewing beer on the site in the 900's. Its first record as a public house can be traced back to him.
Although today the pub is known as The Bingley Arms, in its early days it was originally known as the Priest's inn in tribute to the patronage of traveling monks that often frequented the pub.
An old tapestry that can be found inside the pub / Image: The Bingley Arms
It sat on a popular route of pilgrimage from Kirkstall Abbey to York for years, and later played an important roles in hiding Catholics during the 16th century.
The pub served as a place of refuge for those fleeing Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, and today it still has two "priest holes" remaining in its chimneys. Both still accessible today, the larger one is reportedly used by Santa Claus during the pub's Christmas parties to give him an authentic entrance.
Later, the building also served as a courthouse - holding offenders before they were taken to the pillory across the road.
Inside The Bingley Arms, which claims to be the oldest pub in the UK / Image: The Bingley Arms
More fascinating still, underneath the pub lie the remains of an underground passageway that once ran between the inn and the village's church All Hallows, itself dating back to roughly 950AD.
Today, it still retains many of its original features - with the entrance to the secret passageway still visible in the walls of a storeroom, once used as a snug for drinkers but currently out of bounds to the public.
The old inglenook fireplace was only discovered in the 17th century when new owner Lord Bingley was doing some work on the building / Image: The Bingley Arms
Some historice artefacts - like a portcullis and some medieval timepieces - were removed by the previous owner, but many other pieces remain including original stained glass windows, a real dutch oven and an inglenook fireplace.
Guests come from all over the world to visit, and the pub even has some famous fans - once acting as a favourite drinking haunt of star players during Leeds United's Champions League era.
On the bar, you'll find three regular cask ales including Black Sheep bitter, and two rotating guests as well as a good mix of spirits and wines.
Whilst in the pub's dining room and restaurant, dishes range from pub grill classics like gammon and chips to pan-seared sea bass, minted lamb kofta and sweet chilli noodles.
The beer garden at The Bingley Arms / Image: The Bingley Arms
Out the back is a charming beer garden that's home to a Yew tree that even predates the pub.
The perfect place for sitting and enjoying a few cold ones in the sunshine with the family and soaking up some weird and wonderful West Yorkshire history.
To see the pub's menus and book a table for yourself, visit their website here.
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Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi’s Roundhay Festival line-up
US pop star Conan Gray and BRIT award winner Jacob Alon join the line-up for Lewis Capaldi's headline date at Roundhay Festival.
Leeds' Roundhay Park is welcoming back live music to its grounds this summer for two outdoor gigs headlined by Lewis Capaldi and Pitbull titled Roundhay Festival, with special guests slowly being announced.
Gray is recognised for standout tracks like 'Heather' and 'Maniac' while Alon has built a cult following of fans around their indie tunes like 'Fairy in a Bottle' as well as 'Liquid Gold 25'.
Jacob Alon has been showing off their artistry within the indie music scene thanks to their 2025 LP In Limerence catching the attention of many in the process.
This album has gone onto attract widespread love from music listeners and even industry professionals bagging themselves their first-ever BRIT award nomination and win - The Critics' Choice award.
Conan Gray AND Jacob Alon join Lewis Capaldi's Roundhay Festival line-up / Credit: Supplied via Press Shots
Conan Gray started out covering other artists hits before creating some of his own and releasing debut studio album Kid Krow back in 2020.
The project has production credits shared between Gray and Dan Nigro, Grammy-winning producer who has worked with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde and more.
It's always exciting hearing updates like these, but this one is even more impressive as it's not just one stellar act joining the Roundhay Festival line-up but two, with further acts to be announced.
The almost 70,000 crowd who are heading down to Roundhay Festival when Lewis Capaldi makes his way to Leeds next summer are going to be blessed with some phenomenal live music.
This year marks American Express Presents Roundhay Festival first year with two star-studded dates fronted by powerhouse performers with the second show fronted by Pitbull and special guest Kesha.
These events have been organised with Leeds City Council and are expected to bring benefits to the local area by employing local suppliers, staff and boost spending on accommodation, food and entertainment.
Conan Gray and Jacob Alon will play alongside Lewis Capaldi at Roundhay Festival in Leeds on Saturday 4 July 2026 with tickets available HERE.
Award-winning vintage retailer announces new store in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
Popular vintage store brand Glass Onion is returning to Leeds with a brand-new permanent site.
Following the huge success of its temporary pop up shop in Leeds Trinity, Glass Onion is coming back with a bang and expanding into a larger, two-floor space in Leeds city centre.
They'll be taking over the old Levi's jeans unit on Lands Lane and will be opening on Wednesday 18 March, so we really don't have long to wait.
Customers can shop Leeds' best collection of sustainable vintage clothing with every piece hand selected for store at their Yorkshire HQ.
Images: The Sheff
Shop from an expertly curated mix of all your vintage favourites, including Y2K, techwear, workwear, sportswear, boho, and loads more.
The store will also feature big-name brands like The North Face, Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, and Harley Davidson, along with an exclusive Rare Archive section - home to some of Glass Onion’s rarest vintage finds.
Glass Onion’s journey began in 2005, when founder John started selling vintage clothing out of his grandma’s coal shed in Barnsley. They opened their first retail store in Sheffield in 2019, quickly becoming a local favourite and their commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them “Best Indie Retailer in Sheffield” and “Best Vintage Retailer in Sheffield” at the Exposed Magazine Awards for three consecutive years.
To celebrate the exciting launch, Glass Onion are offering free VIP tickets where shoppers will be treated to first entry as well as freebies and vouchers from Leeds indies and entry into a competition to win a £100 Glass Onion voucher to spend on the launch day.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd June 2021 
