Our rolling hills are full of lots of hidden wonders and this unusual staycation is no different, situated perfectly between both Huddersfield and Wakefield.
If this water tower seems familiar to you it might be the fact that you can see it as you drive between Wakefield and Huddersfield.
Or maybe it’s because this holiday home has garnered lots of attention and fame for itself after featuring on Channel 4 staple ‘Grand Designs’.
This luxury water tower is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside with a whopping four bedrooms and four bathrooms as well as lots of amenities.
Image: Airbnb
As well as a fridge, kitchen, TV, hair dryer and if the panoramic windows weren’t enough, there’s external security cameras meaning, guests really will have eyes in the back of their heads.
Wake up and smell the coffee while staring out into the vast West Yorkshire landscape as this character countryside stay has a coffee maker on hand too.
Three of the bedrooms contain king beds while the latter has a double bed, so while the cylindrical shape of the building may seem snug, you can spread out far and wide in each of the four bedrooms.
Image: Airbnb
A spiral staircase connects all four storeys and surprisingly there’s only 60 steps, so if you’re looking to squeeze in a workout while you’re away you’ll need to climb this windy stairwell more than once.
Perfect for friends and families - Parents, fear not, if you want to balance family time while also getting some of your own downtime, the third floor is perfect for you.
Image: Airbnb
Also doubling as the highest level of the staycation site, it’s made for getting some all important peace and quiet as you’ll find a bedroom with its own attached en suite and separate sitting area.
Anyone fancying a weekend away can expect to pay £672 per night while those who fancy a midweek stop off can keep a little bit more in the bank only having to fork out £585.
Listed on Airbnb as ‘Stunning Converted Water Tower In Yorkshire’ if you or you’re just after a nosey, find out moreHERE.
A beloved Sheffield bookshop is back but this time, there's booze.
You may remember back in January when Novel sadly had to close its doors due to circumstances beyond the team’s control.
Since opening in Crookes in 2024, co-owner Katie and the team had experienced ongoing intimidation and harassment, eventually leading to the decision to close the much-loved bookshop and bar indefinitely.
It was a heartbreaking turn of events for a business that had quickly become a much-loved part of the Crookes community.
Images: The Sheff
At the time, it felt like it might be the end of Novel but thankfully, it wasn't. Because Novel is back - but not quite as you might remember it.
Introducing Proof, your new bookshop/cafe/wine/beer bar.
It's basically everything we love in this world rolled into one, and we're big fans of it along with the rest of Crookes.
Of course the book selection is just as brilliant as it was at Novel, with shelves stacked with some of the hottest books around, all hand-picked by Kate, so you know you’re in safe hands when it comes to the reading recommendations.
Images: The Sheff
Great coffee is on hand courtesy of Cloud so you can settle in for a brew and a browse, but if that won't quite cut it they've also got a selection of natural wines and beer on offer. Genuinely, what more could you want?
Just grab a brew, pick up a book and settle in for a while. Is this one of the coolest new openings to hit Crookes? We reckon so.
They're open Fridays and Saturdays 12 - 10:30pm, so make sure you swing by and welcome Proof back to Crookes.
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Thomas Melia -
7th February 2025 
