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.
News
Huge international girl group tipped for reunion tour after teasers from big UK arenas
A major international girl band appear to be gearing up for a big reunion tour following a number of teasers popping up at some of the largest arenas around the country.
Including right here in Leeds.
In case you haven’t already guessed it from the thumbnail, we’ll give you another hint: there used to be six of them, though it remains to be seen how many will be returning…
Yes, the once-huge all-female pop group, The Pussycat Dolls, looks set to reunite once again, though the full lineup and exact nature of the shows are yet to be fully verified.
They were a big chart-topping act throughout the noughties, and some of the famous faces are still doing bits in around showbiz today; they’ve been away for a long time, but the First Direct Bank Arena and more have just fans getting ready to “loosen up their buttons”.
Image: Co-op Live
Sharing the big digital advert splashed at the top of the venue on Wednesday, 11 March, the First Direct Bank Arena couldn’t have made it any easier for fans to guess.
Choosing one of the most obvious lyrics turned puns and asking us, “Don’t Cha Wish you knew who we’re announcing tomorrow (Thurs, 12 Mar)”, it didn’t take any time at all for people to figure it out.
With the comments across social media platforms now filled with people sharing gifs of their old performances and dance routines, or simply sharing their general excitement, the hype train is already well and truly on the way.
And then, as if things weren’t already blatant enough, the Pussycat Dolls’ official page has also shared a short clip ahead of the inevitable reveal featuring the words, “PCD Forever”, along with pointing them towards a website listed under the same name.
Now, the last time they performed was not long before the pandemic, with most of the original lineup performing on The X Factor, releasing their first new song in over a decade, ‘React’, which was supposed to signal the start of a reunion.
However, the planned comeback tour was ultimately cancelled in January 2022, and we hadn’t heard much else since – until now. Fans are crossing fingers that they get at least a trio of Nicole Sherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Carmit Bachar, Kimberly Wyatt, and Jessica Sutta, but we’ll find out very soon.
A bar in Leeds is serving £1 Baby Guinness shots in celebration of St Patrick’s Day
Clementine Hall
Baby Guinness shots for a quid? It would be rude not to.
Get ready to raid your wardrobe for anything green, because one of the funnest (and booziest) holidays of the year is just around the corner.
Of course, we're talking about the almighty St Patrick's Day that is taking place on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
It's a day filled with merriment, Irish music and plenty of Guinness. Whether that be pints of the good stuff or shots of Baby Guinness.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
We're particularly a fan of the latter.
And there's a few spots in Leeds where you'll be able to get those bad boys for just one pound.
Roxy Ball Room & Roxy Lanes are hosting the offer which will be available from Friday 13 - Sunday 22 March, that's over an entire week of £1 shots for you to get stuck into.
All you have to do is download their brand-new rewards app, claim the voucher and leave the rest to them.
The voucher can be used at any time during the day and at any of their Leeds locations. Pretty class if you ask us.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
And you're really spoilt for choice because you'll find Roxy Ball Rooms on Merrion Street and Boar Lane as well as a Roxy Lanes on The Headrow.
Not only will you be able to bag yourself a £1 shot, but in the same timeframe they're also offering limited edition Jameson shots to mark the occasion as well as two for £10 pints of Guinness.
Of course you'll be able to enjoy all the usual Roxy games and unleash your competitive side, from beer pong and tech darts to karaoke and ice-free curling.
So, get your mates together and get ready to grab a bargain this St Patrick's Day by downloading the Roxy Rewards App here.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd June 2021 
