Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in Hagrid's Groundskeeper Cottage?
Located in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, just over an hour from Leeds, the North Shire staycations have the magic wand to make all your wizarding dreams a reality.
The cottage comprises of three interlocking circular rooms with medieval-style turrets, mismatching stained-glass windows and lanterns galore as every painstaking detail has been added to make you feel as if you're part of the Harry Potter movie set.
Best of all, this two bedroom cottage has space for all the family, sleeping six, ideally up to four adults and two children.
Inside, wizarding wannabes and muggles will find an overwhelming gothic demeanor that nods to favorite wizarding tales, not just through the furnishings but the fields that lead to views of the Yorkshire coast too.
The 'Ground Keeper's Cottage'. / Image: North Shire
All the modern comforts are available to make your staycation a true experience. Inside the kitchen, a combi oven, kettle, toaster, fridge and all the utensils needed are provided for guests to use at their leisure, whilst the bathroom compromises of a truly authentic Diagon Alley experience.
Floor-to-ceiling emerald green tiles lead to an incredible copper standalone bathtub, that looks like it has been transported straight from a wizard's home. Complete with sink, toilet and shower, the circular turret style of the rooms create a movie-like atmosphere and allow you to truly immerse yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.
The bedroom contrast harsh tones of wooden with soft pillows and bed throws, keeping the authenticity of an old turret alive. For extra guests or children, bunk beds are built into one side of the wall with the same wooden details.
As a popular destination for any Potter fan, this staycation is booking up for the 2022 season quickly.
In order to ensure that you can live out the rest of your muggle days in peace before you take a trip to Platform 9 3/4, book your staycation on the North Shire website.
Go behind the doors of this truly beautiful house on the market in the leafy suburb of Horsforth.
Now this one really is a thing of beauty.
Located on Scotland Lane in Horsforth, The Rookery is an absolutely stunning former Georgian farmhouse dating all the way back to the 19th century.
It occupies a whopping 5,000 sq ft as well as its very own cottage amongst 5.5 acres of land, as well as five double bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Images: Rightmove
And guess what? It's only on the market for a mere guide price of £1.75 million. Pocket change.
In the main house you're welcomed with a grand entrance hall and staircase leading through to a series of reception rooms on the ground floor, how posh. Here you'll also find a wet room and an orangery which attaches to the kitchen, even more posh.
Images: Rightmove
Upstairs there's five double bedrooms, three bathrooms and a study - that should be plenty room for us we think.
But the exterior is where it gets really interesting as here you'll find five acres of beautifully maintained gardens featuring an orchard, kitchen garden and a tennis court.
Image: Rightmove
There's also 'stabling suited to equine use, adding further appeal for those with equestrian interests'... we couldn't have put it better ourselves.
Beyond that The Rookery features it's very own detached two-bedroom cottage as well as a garage with mezzanine accommodation.
Images: Rightmove
The entire property looks like something out of a fairytale, so if you're looking to live your best 19th century Bridgerton-esque life, then dig deep and get hold of that £1.75 million.
But if you do buy it, can we please live in the cottage?
Leeds city centre set for hundreds of new flats after council agrees sale of ‘prime’ development site
Clementine Hall
It looks like even more new flats could be popping up in Leeds city centre.
The land in question is located near Leeds' Aire Park development, next to The Adelphi Pub in a prime location smack bang in the city centre.
It's looking like over 240 flats could be built on the site after the council has agreed to sell the coveted plot of land to a housing developer.
The current land that is surrounded by heritage assets has been sold by Leeds City Council to property developer Glenbrook.
A planning application from Glenbrook proposed mostly 246 one and two bedroom apartments in a whopping 24 storey development.
Around 20% of the homes would be classified as affordable housing, being rented out at 80% of the current private market rate.
The application will be discussed when the council's City Plans Panel meets next Thursday 14 May.
A council planning officer’s report said: “The emerging proposals present a significant opportunity to regenerate a prominent vacant brownfield site within the city centre.
“The development would deliver a substantial number of new homes, alongside the provision of some employment opportunities.”
A council decision report when selling the plot back in 2022 said: “It is surrounded by heritage assets in an area undergoing rapid regeneration and is widely considered to be a prime plot capable of supporting a high quality residential development.”
Well then Leeds, what do you make of these plans then?
Sophie Smith -
10th December 2021 
