Less than an hour's drive from Halifax, The Ferry Tavern pub is a real destination day out.
Dating back to 1762, it's set on its own island and surrounded by water - found on an island strip forged at Fiddlers Ferry when the Sankey Canal was first opened.
Called The Ferry due to the original licensee being the ferryman, where the pub stands today was once the main crossing for the River Mersey.
For the past 250 years, it has been a beacon of hospitality to thirsty travellers seeking refreshment - including, rumour has it, Oliver Cromwell.
Just as popular today as it ever was - particularly now that outdoor beer gardens in the UK have reopened - it's been packed in recent weeks with drinkers keen to sit on the river and watch the wildlife.
Run by the same family for nearly twenty years now, The Ferry Tavern has won awards for both its tasty ales and big-hearted community spirit.
First taken on by the new landlady's parents in 1992, today the daily operations of the place are overseen by Jade Mulholland and her husband Andy.
With plenty of seating, gorgeous views and a rather unique position, it's understandably become a popular choice now that beer gardens are allowed to reopen.
And with the added bonus of spotting porpoises and seals from your table, who wouldn't want to pay it a visit?
Equipped with a fantastic kitchen, the Mulholland's are holding off for further easing of restrictions in May to bring back their food offering.
For now, they're only serving weekend drinks whilst they ease back into everything - with week day openings announced ad hoc depending on the weather forecast.
Set on the Trans Pennine trail, it's an ideal stop off point for walkers and cyclists.
Visitors arriving by car can park on the other side of the canal, and then use the bridge over the water to access the pub.
Booking in advance is essential, with dates currently open until 16th May.
Feature image - The Ferry Tavern.
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Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
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.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
5th May 2021 
