There's not much better than a nice stroll in the countryside on a summer's day.
In fact, the only thing that could make it better is a pub stop-off on the way. Which is why we've gone and put together a selection of the best pub walks in Leeds.
Whether you're after a short spin around a reservoir or a full-on day's hike, we've picked out some of the top walking routes.
Thorner Moor Circular
The entrance to Thorner Moor reservoir complex / Image: Chris Heaton
This 8-mile walk around the charming village of Thorner is not for the faint-hearted but promises some gorgeous sweeping countryside views with a lovely stop off at not one but three pubs: The Fox and Grapes, The Inn at Scarcroft and The Mexborough Arms.
Just 20 minutes from Leeds, start at St Peter’s Church then head east onto Thorner Moor, go to the Fox, then make your way around the circular route: passing the Bramham Park estate, Stubbing Moor and Wothersome Lake, before entering Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve.
From here, follow the route along Thorner Lane to reach The Inn at Scarcroft before finishing off with a pint and some food back in Thorner.
Otley is a popular haunt for walkers, with routes leading out from the centre in all different directions. This circular spans 10 miles, with many traditional pubs and historic landmarks to be spotted along the way.
Start at the bus station car park, heading along the old dismantled railway and past Caley Hall Farm until you reach the famous Caley Crags. From there, head north on to The Dales Way and the village of Eccup - home to a gorgeous reservoir and lovely pub The New Inn.
Head back into Bramhope through the Golden Acre Park and finish with a drink at The Fox and Hounds.
Fewston Reservoir is one of three built in the 1870s in the Washburn Valley near Harrogate / Image: Mike Garratt
A nice and easy route with picturesque views, this circular is only 3.7 miles long and finishes off with a stop at fab little local The Hopper Lane for a nice cold pint.
Start at Fewston Reservoir car park in the village, then make your way around the reservoir taking in the wild flowers as you go before making your way back to Blubberhouses.
This 6.7-mile walk starts at Hawksworth Wood and heads west along the River Aire until you reach Newlay Bridge. There are some gorgeous views to be enjoyed across the river before stopping off at The Abbey Inn for a pint.
From here, you can take the towpath along the Leeds Liverpool Canal to head up to the nature reserve and - if you're still thirsty - The Rodley Barge. Alternatively, carry on under Calverley Bridge to reach The Railway Inn. To make your way back, join the Leeds Country Way at Owl Bridge then walk through Haigh Wood.
The Wombats aren’t just still going strong - they’re getting better. And honestly? Long may they reign.
The Wombats absolutely tore the roof off the First Direct Arena in Leeds last night, Wednesday 26 March and what a night it was.
From the second they hit the stage it wasn’t just a gig, it was a full-blown indie-pop spectacle, packed with infectious energy, nostalgia, and a whole lot of dancing.
They kicked things off with “Moving to New York,” and honestly? The crowd was in from the first note.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Matthew Murphy’s unmistakable vocals rang through the arena and suddenly, thousands of people were screaming every lyric like it was 2007 all over again. It was one of those moments where you could just feel how much this band still means to people.
Despite the massive venue, The Wombats somehow made it feel intimate. The lights? Pure chaos in the best way - vibrant, colourful, and totally in sync with the band’s wild, bouncy sound.
Murphy’s cheeky banter between songs made it feel less like a polished arena show and more like a jam session with a few thousand of your closest mates.
Setlist-wise, they nailed it. “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and “Greek Tragedy” had the whole place losing it, while the stripped-down version of “Techno Fan” gave everyone a minute to breathe (and maybe get a little emotional).
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those quieter moments just made the high-energy choruses hit even harder. It was a rollercoaster - in the best way possible.
Then came the encore. If you thought the crowd was loud before, “Kill the Director” took things to another level. Pure, chaotic indie bliss. The kind of moment you don’t want to end.
Here’s the thing about The Wombats: some might say their older songs hit harder than their newer stuff, but is that just nostalgia talking? Or maybe it’s a generational thing?
Either way, they proved they’re still one of the most exciting live bands out there. They’ve still got the hooks, the humour, and the ability to turn a massive arena into a sweaty, euphoric singalong.
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
Danny Jones
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Georgina Pellant -
30th August 2021 
