To kick off the festive season, Grantley Hall's brand new orchard will become an alpine-themed winter wonderland: with möet and mulled wine on the menu.
The ultimate wintry retreat has arrived, and it's less than an hour away from Leeds.
Think Alpine chic, with all the festive trimmings, set in the grounds of a historic estate: it's fine-dining at its best.
The Orchard at Grantley Hall will become Aprés, an alpine-themed drinking and dining destination, ready to bring all the Christmas cheer to your table.
Inspired by snowy mountaintops and cosy cabins, Aprés intends to be a sensory experience that won't be forgotten.
The Orchard at Grantley Hall will be the perfect place to relax, alpine-style. / Image: Grantley Hall
Snack on delicious small plates like Three Cheese Arancini or dip Gruyére croutons into Caramelised French Onion Soup before moving on to the main courses that Aprés have to offer.
On the menu you'll find all the best winter warmers, from traditional European favourites like slow braised Beef Cheek Bourguignon with creamed potatoes and Warmed Ratte Potato Salad with truffle dressing.
The Traditional Cheese Fondue is perfect for sharing. Cured meats, ratte potatoes, cornichons and pickled onions with sourdough and, of course, an seemingly endless supply of gooey melted cheese.
Save room for desert as the Aprés menu needs to be thoroughly sampled: all three courses.
The Melting Valrhona Hot Chocolate Cake is a show-stopper that even Mary Berry would be tempted by. Served with homemade marshmallows and malted milk chocolate sauce: the effortless fusion of the hot drink and sweet treat showcases festive menus at their finest.
Luxurious cocktails are also on the menu, alongside the well-known Grantley punch selections like the orignial blend of framboise, fraise, vodka, champagne float and lemon juice or their Waterfall Punch with elderflower gin, lemon and mediterranean tonic.
Moët and Ruinart champagnes are amongst some of the fine collection at Aprés, alongside carefully selected wines from around the world.
The venue will look spectacular in the twilight hours. / Image: Grantley Hall
Based in Ripon, just North of Harrogate, Aprés at The Orchard will be open from Saturday 6 November, but due to popular demand their opening night launch party has already sold out.
A Leeds pub has been crowned one of the very best in the country by The Good Food Guide.
The trusted guide has just released its 100 Best Pubs in Britain list, and we're very chuffed with the results indeed.
Taking the coveted number three spot is our very own The Highland Laddie, a 100-year-old city centre institution that reopened in April 2025 in the hands of new owners Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton.
These guys also run the Empire Cafe, so you just know it's going to be good.
Last year they soared straight to the top of the list and were crowned the best pub in the whole of Britain by the guide.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
This time, the Queen's Arms over in Eccles came number one followed by The Cow in Notting Hill.
We still think bagging third place is quite the achievement, and if you've visited The Highland Laddie yourself you'll know just how much of a special place it is.
Don't just take our word for it, The Good Food Guide labelled the Laddie as 'a true pub with a genuine community vibe'.
They also said: "Reenergised by the team behind the Empire Cafe in 2025, this is everything that a proper English pub should be – 'oh, and they have a mustard menu!'
"Inside, the Laddie ticks all the boxes, preserving the essentials of a traditional old-school boozer and maintaining a genuine sense of community while letting the good times roll. As for the food, it’s ‘both high-end and accessible’, pulling in ideas from all over, whether you fancy a freshly shucked Lindisfarne oyster, a keema toastie or an elevated ham roll with bread cooked over the coals.
"Dig deeper and you might find a lobster madeleine with Yorkshire chorizo butter, a treacle onion tart or pork schnitzel with two fried eggs. Club steaks are served by the inch, there’s no creative let-up when it comes to sides, and the nostalgia is ramped up with the likes of strawberry and Champagne trifle with ‘sprinkles’.
"But never forget that this is a self-proclaimed ‘drinkers’ pub’ dispensing everything from ‘properly served’ British brews and ’the best Guinness in Leeds’ to a staggering line-up of whisky optics."
Popular egg sandwich shop Egg & Co is opening in Leeds city centre
Clementine Hall
This much loved breakfast spot do one thing and one thing very well...egg sandwiches.
And it may be a familiar name to some of you lot, as Egg & Co recently opened up on bustling Deansgate in Manchester as well as inside Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield.
This will be their first site in Leeds, though, and we're very 'eggsited' about it...sorry.
If you've got been introduced to the wonders of Egg & Co yet, then allow us to fill you in on what to expect.
Images: The Manc Group
From here, you’ll be able to grab their unbeatable breakfast sandwiches, where soft scrambled egg is piled into warm brioche buns.
There are a dozen or so breakfast butties on the menu here (yes, they do all feature egg), with other fillings ranging from beef patties to turkey bacon to caramelised onion.
And there’s more – sides here include truffle hash browns, curly fries, and chicken bites.
Of course it wouldn't be a breakfast spot without some caffeinated beverages as well, so we predict as with their Manchester site you'll be able to grab your morning coffee and matcha as well as freshly squeezed orange juice fresh enough to cure any hangover.
We don't know of the exact location yet, but we do know it'll be in Leeds city centre.
Images: The Manc Group
Teasing the news on their Instagram, Egg & Co said: "LEEDS, WE’RE ON OUR WAY. You heard it right. Eggandco is heading to Leeds!
"Same eggs. Same fresh sandwiches. Same Eggandco experience. Just a new city to call home."
Of course, in true Leeds fashion, supporters flocked to the comments to show their excitement and demanding an extra clue on the exact location.
Egg & Co are keeping this under wraps for now, but we'll keep you updated as and when we know more.
Sophie Smith -
3rd November 2021 
