Located along the bank of the scenic River Wharfe lies the charming village of Boston Spa.
Just three miles south of Wetherby and 16 miles north of Leeds, this quaint town is the perfect place to explore on the weekend if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
Renowned for it's elegant Georgian architecture, Boston Spa was originally established in 1974 as a spa town and til this day charms with it's natural beauty, ambience and vibrant community.
Bursting with independent shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, there's so much to do in this lovely village that you'll be spoilt for choice.
Here's a list of our favourite spots in the area for you to choose from and visit this weekend.
CORA
Image: CORA
CORA is an innovative fine dining room and bakehouse, brought to you by renowned chef Elizabeth Cottam. Having just opened in Spring 2021, they have quickly made a name for themselves amongst the locals and is a must visit when in Boston Spa.
Pop by for a loaf of their legendary truffle sourdough to enjoy over the weekend or sample an indulgent, twice baked hazelnut croissant alongside your morning coffee. Stick around til the evening and enjoy the chef's tasting menu which changes seasonally and is guaranteed to be a meal you won't forget.
For more information including how to book, take a look at their website.
162 High Street, Boston Spa, Leeds.
Pudding Lab
Image: The Pudding Lab
This bakery and patisserie does in fact live up to it's name and serves up the most fantastic puddings. Their offerings are creative and unique, with flavours that will blow your socks off and show-stopping creations that almost look too good to eat.
From Blackberry, White Chocolate and Pistachio Tarts to Chocolate and Hazelnut Eclairs, there really is something for everyone at this delightful little cafe. There's also an extensive savoury menu so you can pop by for breakfast, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. If you've got a sweet tooth then this really is the place to be.
154 Boston Spa High Street.
SALT
Image: SALT
Award-winning Yorkshire craft brewery SALT Beer Factory have been expanding across Leeds over the past year and later this month, the brand will be fusing craft beer and a casual dining experience at the former Stew & Oyster venue in Boston Spa.
Jamie Lawson, Founder, has commented on the opening: “We want to continue extending the retail presence of SALT, through our branded taprooms. SALT Boston Spa will be our second rebranded site after the acquisition of the Stew & Oyster Group. Our goal is to brew the best beer and serve it in the best environment, for us that’s beer perfection”.
Looking for a nice cosy pub to settle down in after a glorious walk along the river bank? Then The Crown is the place for you. This beautiful Grade II listed building has been transformed into a contemporary country pub which boasts a modern dining area, conservatory restaurant and landscaped garden terrace.
Here you can find more than just your average pub grub, the menu is curated seasonally and features produce from local and regional Yorkshire suppliers. Expect the likes of beer battered haddock and chips, freshly handmade pizzas, along with a traditional Sunday Roast served with proper gravy and all the trimmings.
128 High St, Boston Spa.
La Casita
Image: La Casita
There's no better weekend activity than sharing some delicious Spanish tapas alongside a jug of sangria amongst friends, right? Head to La Casita where you can sample a taste of Spain in a glorious setting for a reasonable price.
Choose from your tapas classics such as Patatas Bravas, Pimientos de Padrón and Calamares. Or opt for something a little different like their fried halloumi popcorn which is drizzled with honey and served with a harissa aioli. They also host a Bottomless Brunch every weekend where you can enjoy 3 tapas and an unlimited drink of your choice for just £28.95 per person.
This quaint coffee house and delicatessen is a foodie's paradise. Passionate about homemade food and Yorkshire produce, here you can find vibrant salads, freshly baked scotch eggs and delicious sweet treats to be enjoyed in their charming cafe adorned with hanging baskets and flowers.
They also have a lovely outdoor terrace which is the perfect sun trap and a great spot to relax with a cup of coffee and watch the world go by.
High St, Boston Spa.
Kate Mell Flowers
Image: Kate Mell.
This beautiful boutique florist is the place to go for a carefully curated, one-of-a-kind bouquet of flowers.
This floral emporium bursts with the freshest flowers and foliage, seasonal plants, a range of their own handmade candles, British wool throws and gifts from artisan & small businesses. Whether you're looking to celebrate, congratulate or commemorate, you'll find the perfect gift in this wonderful shop.
160 High St, Boston Spa.
Kanyu
Image: Kanyu
Kanyu is one of the most innovative escape rooms in Yorkshire and is well worth the trip out to Boston Spa. You'll find this puzzle haven in a Grade II listed Georgian Gatehouse in the middle of a roundabout just off the A1.
The historic space has been transformed into a suite of escape rooms, all designed by a group of film set designers. Choose from the spooky abandoned laboratory, the oak-panelled study room or their outdoor poacher’s camp. The question is, will you manage to escape within 60 minutes?
South Lodge, Moor End, Boston Spa.
Ali's Kitchen
Image: Ali's Kitchen
This family run restaurant and takeaway serve up the freshest and most delicious Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine.
All their dishes are cooked fresh to order and are bursting with flavour. Opt for their homemade king prawns marinated in lemon and garlic butter or go for the staff special which features tender lamb cooked on the bone for five hours with lentils, yoghurt and chilli.
From completing the infamous Otley Run to sipping on a glass of natural wine, there's so much to do in the vibrant neighbourhood of Headingley.
Sandwiched between the two largest universities in Leeds, Headingley is known nationally as the playground of the young professionals, and internationally as the place in the North to watch the cricket.
Just minutes away on the bus from Leeds City Centre, Headingley is a great place to visit on the weekend with plenty of brilliant independents to support from coffee shops to restaurants.
So, here's ten things to do in Headingley over the weekend...
Watch a game at Headingley Stadium
St Michael's Lane, Headingley
Home of Yorkshire Country Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos, Headingley stadium is the main reason that this little suburb is known worldwide. In the winter, Leeds Rhinos season will keep you entertained, whilst the summer usually sees international test matches on the pitch.
This is the ultimate crowd-pleasing event for anyone interested in sports, and for those that aren’t- there’s plenty of food, drink and activity options within walking distance instead.
Drink a glass of wine at Bottle Chop
14 Weetwood Lane
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Maybe our favourite wine bar in the whole of Leeds, Bottle Chop is a pastel pink paradise serving up a huge selection of natural wine, craft beer and irresistible deli bits.
Stop by for a couple glasses and dive into a charcuterie board alongside it, it's the perfect afternoon activity if you ask us.
If you're looking for some authentic Japanese cuisine in an elegant yet casual setting, then get yourself to TADA.
It's a fantastic independent restaurant serving up fresh sushi and the most comforting bowls of ramen ever. The staff are always lovely and happy to guide you with what to order on their extensive menu.
Watch a film at Hyde Park Picture House
Brudenell Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Now this is a proper bit of Leeds history. The Hyde Park Picture House is a Grade II listed building that dates all the way back to 1914 and is known for being the last gas-lit cinema in the whole of the UK.
They are community focused and are determined on providing an inclusive space for everyone to learn and discover. Showing a selection of bigger as well as indie films, it's a great spot for cinema lovers to stop by and immerse themselves into a flick.
Shop vinyls at Vinyl Whistle
12 Otley Road
Image: The Hoot Leeds
If you're into vinyls, then Vinyl Whistle is the spot for you. Not only do they stock plenty of records for you to browse, but they also host open decks and gigs for you to get involved with.
Oh and they serve great beer and banging coffee too, what more could you want?
Tuck into traditional Mexican food at Lupe's Cantina
204 Cardigan Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Lupe's Cantina is one of those 'if you know, you know' sort of spots and now thanks to us, you do know.
It's a family-run restaurant that's been feeding the people of Leeds for a decade, using traditional recipes passed down from head chef Rudy's family. Here you'll not only find your classic tacos, margaritas and guacamole but it's the standout dishes like the mussels in a creamy chipotle white wine sauce that'll have you going back time and time again.
If you haven't heard of Get Baked, then you've most likely been living under a rock. Famed nationwide for their mammoth Bertha cake, their original shop is right here in Headingley and you'd be silly not to take advantage of this indeed.
If you can't stomach a whole slice of Bertha, then they've got slices of pie, stacks of cookies and so much more for you to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get your caffeine fix at one of the many coffee shops
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Okay we might be cheating with this one, but there's so many great coffee shops in Headingley that we couldn't just choose one.
From the experimental brews at Caffeine Addict to a cosy catchup at Loaf followed by a bagel and brew at Fika North, you're really spoilt for choice if you're looking for that morning pick me up. Trust us, just take a stroll through town and you'll find a cracking coffee in no time.
Enjoy a Sunday roast at The Swine Bistro
77A Otley Road
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As the weather takes a turn for the worst a roast dinner is the only right way to spend a Sunday, and you'll find a fantastic one at The Swine Bistro.
This beautiful restaurant is loved by Leeds locals and it's not hard to see why, run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers who are basically legends at this point for providing the city with fantastic seasonal food at an affordable price point. And I mean...look at that Yorkshire pud.
Complete the Otley Run
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yep, it wouldn't be a Headingley guide without the Otley Run now would it.
It is a true rite of passage to any students who find themselves in Leeds during their studies and a firm favourite for societies and clubs from the various student unions across the city.
Starting at Woodies, the route takes you through fourteen boozers from Far Headingley, into Headingley itself, then towards Hyde Park before heading right into the centre of town – if you get that far.
Officially the route hosts the first eight pubs in Far Headingley and Headingley: Woodies, The Three Horseshoes, New Inn, Headingley Taps, Manahatta, The Box, Skyrack, The Original Oak before runners move onto Hyde Park pubs like The Hyde Park pub, The Library, Pack Horse, The Eldon and The Fenton before arriving at the final pub: The Dry Dock in the city.
How to spend a weekend in Chapel Allerton – one of Leeds’ most loved suburbs
Clementine Hall
As one of the top ten places to live, as voted by The Sunday Times, Chapel Allerton is a hive of community-spirit withlots to explore.
Back in 2021, The Sunday Times judges said that Chapel Allerton is: “a well supported independent high street – with a fishmonger, bookshop, cheese shop and much more – and an inspiring and imaginative community group, CA Spaces, make this urban village our favourite corner of Leeds.”
They’re not wrong. One of our favourite points about Chapel Allerton is its strong focus on supporting local businesses- there aren’t many places in Leeds, or indeed the UK, that you can visit a separate butchers, greengrocers, cheese mongers, wine store and more to complete your food shop with all locally grown and sold produce.
That’s not all that Chapel Allerton has to offer: there’s a host of indie cafes, plenty of green space and even a posh Aldi (whatever that means) that keeps this a family favourite place to visit.
Keep reading to find out what The Hoot recommends for a weekend in the leafy suburb…
House of Koko
62 Harrogate Road, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4LA
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The overwhelming success of the cafe is well-known about Leeds- and it comes with a whole host of raving reviews.
Bringing fine-dining to a laid back setting is a winning combination that House of Koko have got down to a tee in Chapel Allerton. The menu here comprises beautifully presented dishes like pancakes drenched in syrup and you can't leave without trying their famous hash browns...if you know, you know.
George and Joseph, an incredible Cheesemongers on Chapel Allerton high street, is the place to go for everything squeaky and delicious.
You can grab everything from truffle brie to charcuterie essentials like cooked meats, fresh sourdough and local low-batch bottles of booze to accompany your dishes. This truly is the place to shop local and experience some brand new tastes you’d never pick up in the supermarket.
Originally a bike clothing brand, Paria has grown from an online side hustle to a full time business online and in Chapel Allerton. There’s coffee from local roasters Hard Lines and sweet treats from Laynes Bakery to choose from, all whilst you browse the cool collabs on the wall.
Name a better duo than a nice cold pint and a fluffy bao bun...we'll wait. Because that's exactly what you'll find at Brew + Bao, Chapel Allerton's newest watering hole offering banging drinks alongside asian street food. A real match made in heaven.
Yoga Kula
114 Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4NY
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Looking to feel zen? Then look no further than Yoga Kula, Chapel Allerton's newest Yoga studio helping you to feel your absolute best.
The space is absolutely. beautiful and they offer classes for all abilities with lovely staff by your side every step of the way.
The Woods might be in the running for our favourite beer garden in Leeds, and since coming under new ownership by the legends at Roland's last year it's only gotten better and better.
It's the perfect spot for a sunny pint with mates whilst tucking into a couple of pizzas, a great oasis outside of the city centre that still has a lively feel about it.
Bloc Studios
31 Well Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 4PQ
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you haven't heard, Reformer Pilates is all the rage at the moment. And luckily for us, there's a fantastic little studio in Chapel Allerton where you can do it.
Bloc Studios is a gorgeous boutique space offering the very best reformer pilates classes. Whether you're a complete newbie or a seasoned pro, there's a class for you at Bloc to get your workout in.
Clementine Hall -
5th July 2022 
