If you're a big fan of Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes, or you just enjoy a brilliant night of entertainment and fine dining, then this event is for you.
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is hosting one of its Murder Mystery Nights this month, and it’s taking a topsy-turvy twist on a classic fairytale.
Having been on hold for the past two years since the pandemic, these popular events hosted by the heritage railway are back and this time they are taking you down the rabbit hole.
Image: East Lancashire Railway
You're invited to bring your best detective skills and step aboard a stunning steam train travelling through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.Hosted by award-winning events company After Dark Entertainment, you will be guided through some “serious sleuthing” to find out whodunit, ELR says.
Each murder mystery night features a different theme, a different cast, and a different riddle to solve – and this Saturday 30 April is the turn of ‘Malice in Wonderland’, which is of course inspired by the classic Lewis Carroll 1865 children’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
A description for the upcoming event on the ELR website reads: “It may have killed the Cheshire Cat but things just keep getting curioser and curiouser on this surreal trip down the rabbit hole.
“Can you keep your head whilst everyone else is losing theirs?”
If all of the drama wasn’t enough of a draw as it is, you’ll also get a complementary glass of sparkling wine on arrival, then enjoy a mouthwatering four-course meal, followed by tea or coffee and after dinner chocolates, all onboard the vintage train carriages as the murder happens, mystery unfolds, and the culprit is eventually found.
Image: East Lancashire Railway
Some of the other upcoming murder mystery events ELR is hosting throughout the year include Great British Bump Off, Treacherous Terror Train, Allo Allo, Hollywood Homicide, and Gatsby Manor Mystery.
“An evening of intrigue, investigation and indulgence awaits,” ELR says.
Malice in Wonderland is taking place on Saturday 30 April, and the evening starts at Bury Bolton Street Station at 6:45pm, before finishing at approximately 10:15pm.
Pop hitmaker Rick Astley is playing a few UK shows and is treating Leeds to a night of live music as part of The Reflection Tour.
Newton-le-Willows-born singer Rick Astley has achieved worldwide success, most notably with his work in the 80s alongside songwriting and production duo Stock-Aitken and Waterman.
Astley's album Whenever You Need Somebody has amassed 15 million sales across the globe and is a pivotal record that many would use to define 80s music.
On this LP is his huge hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which dropped back in 1987, with the track gaining more attention courtesy of social media trickery.
The worldwide recognition of this hit is all down to people online who deliberately link to the music video for this song, with the term being coined 'The Rickroll'.
Now, Rick Astley is returning to Leeds and ready to play out to over 13,500 people at one of Leeds' biggest indoor arenas First Direct Arena this April.
Gig guide | Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds - all you need to know
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Leeds this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley UK tour dates
Fri 10 April - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
Sat 11 April - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
Mon 13 April - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
Tue 14 April - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
Thu 16 April - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
Fri 17 April - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
Sat 18 April - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
Mon 20 April - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
Tue 21 April - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
Wed 22 April - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
Fri 24 April - Birmingham, UK - BP Pulse Live
Sat 25 April - London, UK - The O2
Fri 5 June - Scarborough, UK - Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Fri 19 June - Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival
Wed 24 June - Llangollen, UK - Llangollen Pavilion
Thu 25 June - Lincoln, UK - Lincoln Castle
Sat 27 June - Gloucester, UK - Westonbirt Arboretum
Fri 24 July - Ludlow, UK - Ludlow Castle
Sat 25 July - Sheffield, UK - Tramlines
Sat 30 August - Silverstone, UK - Carfest
Are there any tickets left for Rick Astley in Leeds?
No need to 'Cry For Help', there's plenty of tickets for Rick Astley's Leeds show at First Direct Arena and you can grab yours HERE.
It's been 'Driving Me Crazy' waiting for the right opportunity to do a little Rickrolling of my own - the actual tickets can be found HERE.
Rick Astley setlist for 2026 tour
The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
This year will mark Rick Astley's first official headline tour since 2024 meaning a full setlist is yet to be confirmed.
Here is a setlist from 2024 when the 80s performer played a series of festival sets:
Never Gonna Stop
Together Forever
Beautiful Life
It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
Dippin My Feet
Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones cover)
She Wants to Dance With Me
Juice (Lizzo cover)
Forever and More
Hold Me in Your Arms
Seventeen Going Under (Sam Fender cover)
Cry For Help
Dance
Angels On My Side
Whenever You Need Somebody (O 'Chi Brown cover)
Good Times (Chic cover)
Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
Maria Love
Never Gonna Give You Up
Stage times for Rick Astley and support act for First Direct Arena, Leeds
Doors for Rick Astley's The Reflection Tour are set to open from 6.30pm with an official starting time of 7.30pm.
Support for this show comes in the form of another celebrated UK performer who achieved prominence the decade after Astley - Gabrielle.
This R&B-pop singer is recognised for her 1993 hit 'Dreams' and is known for soundtracking the 90s and noughties with multiple chart entries throughout the decades.
Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.
Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.
Nearest Bus Stops
Clay Pit Lane
Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
Woodhouse Lane
Nearest Train Station
Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.
Parking
There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here
The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.
None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.
Hiring Bikes in Leeds
If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:
Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.
And about the rickrolling earlier... sorry not sorry.
Featured Images - Press shots via Peter Neill / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Things To Do
Beloved Leeds bistro launches £30 lunchtime menu with strong focus on zero-waste cooking
Clementine Hall
You can now dine at one of Leeds' best restaurants for less.
The Swine Bistro in Headingley is as perfect as a neighbourhood bistro gets.
Run by husband and wife team Jo and Stu Myers, the cooking comes from the heart, with a menu focused on brilliant produce, seasonal flavours and sustainability. All served in a beautiful, cosy space with around 30 covers.
And now a year after relocating to Headingley, The Swine Bistro have launched a new lunchtime menu offering three courses for under £30, bringing its award-winning cooking to a daytime audience.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Led by sous chef Angus Evans and inspired by his previous role as head chef at Leeds organic restaurant Eat Your Greens, Evans has introduced new ways to make better use of ingredients and ensure the kitchen operates with minimal waste.
A standout dish is the Potato Pancake with Braised Chicken, Leek Top Relish and Walnut Ketchup made from leftover Sunday roast potatoes.
Angus Evans, sous chef at The Swine Bistro, said: "Sustainability has always been integral to how I cook and Jo and Stu were keen for me to expand this within the Swine Bistro menu.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
"It’s about ensuring every ingredient works harder. It’s not just about nose-to-tail cooking, it’s about using every part of our produce more thoughtfully - repurposing leftovers, and turning overlooked ingredients into something genuinely exciting on the plate. It shows how creativity in the kitchen can go hand in hand with reducing waste.”
Three courses for under £30 are now available at lunchtime at The Swine Bistro, and you can book your table here.
The Hoot -
8th April 2022 
