The tales of haunted Leeds
Written by Richard Smyth
Keep a look out for the Blue lady… boo! Photo attribution: Simon Grubb
Leeds, has its share of shadows and secrets, its forbidden history of black deeds, dark doings and blood-curdling devilry; there’s no shortage of skeletons a-rattling in the city’s cupboards. What’s more, some say that,...
The Good Old Days are Back at City Varieties
Written by Richard Smyth
Inside the magnificent looking City Varieties
The City Varieties Music Hall isn’t the first theatrical celebrity to reach ‘a certain age’ and decide to have a major facelift. But most don’t wait until they’re 144 years old – and most facelifts don’t take two-and-a-half years to finish....
The history of Leeds in the Industrial Revolution
Written by Richard Smyth
Steam train on the Middleton Railway
The Industrial Revolution was a good time to be a genius. And, if you were a genius, there was no better place to be than the north of England. As the manufacturing industry took flight, hereditary privilege and high-society connections lost much of their value;...
Review of Café 164 in Leeds
Written by Darren Cronian
Inside Café 164 opposite Leeds bus station.
I love places that have a good atmosphere where you can relax, read a newspaper or work. Having visited Café 164 on numerous occasions recently I thought it was time to write up a review of the cafe, with its comfy leather seats and artwork from local artists...
History of Leeds: Life in Victorian Leeds
Written by Richard Smyth
Inside the Victoria Quarter
What – to steal a gag from Monty Python – did the Victorians ever do for Leeds? Anyone who lives in the city today owes a massive debt to the innovators and entrepreneurs of the nineteenth century. Going shopping? You’ve got the Victorians to thank for Thornton’s...
Guide to what’s on in Leeds theatres
Written by Dick Bonham
Inside the impressive City Varieties
The Leeds theatre scene is in particularly rude health at the moment. There’s an ever-expanding range work across the different theatres in the city. And with increasing co-operation between those venues, there’s a growing and vibrant community of theatre-makers...
Leeds History: Life in Georgian Leeds
Written by Richard Smyth
Whitelock’s (licensed as the Turk’s Head in 1784)
Briggate, in the centre of Leeds, is one of the north of England’s most iconic thoroughfares. It also has quite a history; it’s been the bustling hub of Leeds since before the Georgian age of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Georgian Briggate...
Preview of Leeds International Film Festival
Written by Louisa Parker
Gala opening at the Leeds Town Hall. Photo attribution: Rick Harrison
Leeds International Film Festival (3rd to 20th November 2011) is the biggest UK film festival outside London. It has a varied programme of commercial and independent, experimental, international and documentary films. The 25th LIFF...
Shop local at Leeds Farmers Markets
Written by Carol Ferndale
Walk around Otley Farmers Market in Market Place. Photo attribution: Sam Saunders
We all get tired of trailing round the supermarket seeing the same old brand name goods, and so it makes a heartwarming change to go to a local farmers’ market where you can buy local produce that has pretty much...
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Recommended Leeds Hotels
- Jury's Inn – great riverside location.
- – near the Leeds train station.
- – great central location in Leeds.
- – stylish city centre hotel.
- – located within the Light.
- Roomzzz City - trendy city aparthotel.
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