A bird's-eye view of Leeds, Sheffield, and Yorkshire
X
Leeds
This Leeds hamlet has been voted one of the top villages in the UK
The Sunday Times said Thorner "has it all", noting the hamlet's visiting fish-and-chip van, friendly pub and Post Box deli's charming Secret Garden café
A hamlet just outside of Leeds has been voted one of the top villages in the UK in a new list released by The Sunday Times.
The paper's list, titled "The 50 best villages in the UK", collates some of the most popular villages across the country and features a total of seven different locations in Yorkshire.
Put together in no particular order, each village has been included as a cut above the rest for "having it all" - which the paper defines as the following: attractive houses, good connections, a decent school and friendly neighbours who come together at the pub, shop and village hall.
The Post Box Deli's Secret Garden Cafe in Thorner gets an honorary mention / Image: The Post Box Deli
A selection of brunch dishes at The Post Box, including Blue Bird Bakery Yorkshire sourdough topped with peanut butter and banana / Image: The Post Box Deli
The village representing Leeds is rural hamlet Thorner, which is located between Seacroft and Wetherby. Sitting to the north-east of the city.
Boasting archaeological evidence of Bronze Age and Anglo-Saxon settlements, Thorner's historical significance was just one of the things that made the gorgeous country hamlet stand out.
"Happily you can’t hear the traffic, or smell it — the aromas are all woodsmoke in winter, freshly mown grass in summer and sheep all year round," they write romantically.
Thorner's main street features an idyllic row of stone cotages / Image: Betty Longbottom via Geograph
"St Peter’s Church looms over the wide main street, once used for markets and now home to a GP and a useful set of amenities."
Describing the little village as "properly old-fashioned," they continued to say it "may look rural, but it’s so close to Leeds you can almost touch the ring road, before going on to name a number of charming little independent businesses in Thorner.
St Peter's Church in Thorner / Image: Wikipedia
These include the Fox, a friendly local pub with a Monday night quiz; the Post Box deli with its tea rooms and Secret Garden café; Indian restaurant Maisha Spice; and a visiting fish-and-chip van.
Further features that made Thorner stand out, according to The Times, were its cricket and tennis clubs which "keep sporty types occupied" and the village's "thoughtful" ThornerCares mutual aid support group, which was set up to help people affected by Covid.
At 8.5 miles away from Leeds city centre, the nearest station is Leeds Cross Gates (4.5 miles from the village) and the average house price is £414,493.
Tucked away from the bustling streets of the city centre you’ll find a Leeds institution that has been serving diners since 1991.
You've probably walked past Sous Le Nez hundreds of times and not popped in.
But if we can convince you to do anything, it's to head down those unassuming stairs on Quebec Street and ask for a table.
Set in a cavernous basement, the space is full of nooks and crannies, and in a flash, you’ll be whisked away to the South of France with stellar service and white tablecloths to match.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their food is classic French cuisine done to an excellent standard.
We're talking indulgent French onion soup, rich pan-seared duck breast, juicy rump steak with silky peppercorn sauce and moule-frites served in a sauce good enough for drinking.
And if the food isn't enough to get you excited, then wait until you hear about the wine list.
Featuring over 300 wines, you'll find a tipple to suit every taste and every flavour on the menu.
As well as its a la carte menu, they offers it's menu du soir which is available until 6:45pm on weekdays and on a Saturday lunch time.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It includes three courses including half a bottle of excellent wine per person. I mean, you really can't get better value then that, can you?
More recently, renowned food critic Jay Rayner praised Sous Le Nez for its fabulous food and we couldn't agree more. And if it's good enough for Jay, then it's certainly good enough for us.
This is the sort of spot that is full of regulars no matter the time of day, whether they’re stopping by for a quick lunch or indulging in their evening menu - it’s no surprise they’ve been a firm Leeds favourite for over 30 years.
You can find out more about Sous Le Nez and book your table here.
Inside Leeds’ newest late night bar dedicated to Guinness and gaming
Clementine Hall
Get ready for plenty of craic at Leeds' brand-new bar.
If you like Guinness and you've got a competitive spirit, then we can guarantee this is the spot for you.
Introducing Love Jackie, your newest late night destination that is officially opening in Leeds next Thursday 12 November.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, Love Jackie has taken over a 7,000 sq ft space and promises proper prints, late nights, live music, and plenty of Irish charm.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Pouring is undeniably the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
These are also served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
They'll be opening next Thursday just in time for the festive season, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Georgina Pellant -
13th September 2021 
