As it's Halloween, we've been taking a look back at some of the spookiest spots in Leeds, and finding out how we can try our hands at ghost hunting, and turns out there's plenty of options to choose from.
Leeds is a city home to many historic buildings with haunted pasts - but there's perhaps no building more spooky than this.
The Armley building is thought to be the most haunted of them all.
The Armley building currently houses the popular Leeds Industrial Museum - which welcomes thousands of visitors throughout the year who come to awe at its incredible industrial collections from years gone by, but the museum building is actually part of the wider Armley Mills.
Armley Mills was once regarded as the world's largest woollen mill where hundreds of men, women, and children worked.
It's believed the spirits of those workers still remain in the building until this very day.
Armley Mills was once regarded as the world's largest woollen mill / Credit: Geograph | Wikimedia Commons
This is why it's said that paying a visit to Armley Mills after the sun's gone down is one of the spookiest things to do in Leeds, and probably the whole of Yorkshire, to be honest.
The earliest record of Armley Mills is as far back as the 16th century.
In 1788 ,the building was bought by a cloths merchant who expanded the premises, but unfortunately, the mills were destroyed by a fire in the early 1800s shortly after it was sold on, and it had to be rebuilt to the building it is today.
Due to its haunted reputation, there are ghost hunts held in the building throughout the year - but only for those that are brave enough.
Paying a visit to Armley Mills after the sun's gone down is one of the spookiest things to do in Leeds / Credit: Geograph (Ashley Dace)
Paranormal activities have been reported by those who have previously ventured into the mills after dark.
It's been claimed that scary shadows have been seen, footsteps have been heard when no one is there, and objects have been moved from one location to another.
It's even been said that many young children who used to work in the mill hundreds of years ago, are still present in spirit, and have been known to tug on people's clothing or chuck items around in way to gain attention.
People have also claimed to have encountered a little boy crying and a woman in a Victorian dress.
Fancy a tour of Armley Mills for yourself then? There are regular ghost hunts are run by local events company Haunted Happenings, and you can find out more here.
Featured Image - Wikimedia Commons
Leeds
Independent Nordic-inspired homeware shop closes Leeds store after six years
After six years in the city, independent homeware retailer North Home is closing its Leeds city centre shop.
If you're a lover of all things home then you'll have most likely visited the gorgeous North Home shop in the Victoria Quarter.
Stacked to the brim with unique pieces from striking ceramics to stylish soft furnishings, North Home is known for its well-curated stock and great customer service.
Seriously, we've probably spent a good hour in here in awe of all the beautiful pieces.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Last week, curious shoppers noticed the three-storey store was suddenly empty and now the company have confirmed that they have closed for good.
In a statement, they said: "After nearly 6 wonderful years trading in Leeds, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our physical store while we restructure the business and explore the next chapter for North Home.
"Retail has changed significantly in recent years and, like many independent businesses, we’ve faced increasing costs.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
"Taking this step now gives us the opportunity to protect what we’ve built and focus on the future of the brand. North Home continues to operate online and all existing customer orders will be fulfilled as normal although delivery times may be slightly extended.
"We’ve loved being part of the Leeds retail community since 2020 and are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received. We hope to share more about our plans soon."
We'll be sad to see them go and we hope this isn't goodbye forever, but you can still shop from North Home online here.
Neighbourhood Leeds bistro hailed as ‘a bit horny’ and ‘brilliant’ by national critic Camilla Long
Clementine Hall
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.