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.
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.
Mumford & Sons add new Leeds show at the First Direct Arena to sell out UK tour
Clementine Hall
Two new arena dates have been added to their forthcoming UK tour, after selling out the entire run within two hours.
Ahead of dropping their fifth studio LP Rushmere at the end of the month, the cult favourite folk-rock outfit announced a brand-new European tour in support of the record, including a limited UK leg.
The now sold-out arena run starts in Europe in November before now arriving in Leeds on Sunday 30 November.
The significance of the band’s return can be found in the title of the new album, as Rushmereis the spot where it all began for the boys: a pond located on Wimbledon Common in south-west London where Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane first hung out.
However, the multi-award-winning acoustic-driven British rockers and folk revivalists are now a trio following the departure of Winston Marshall, who quit the band back in 2021 following controversies surrounding his right-wing beliefs.
Image: Supplied
With that in mind, it’s rather fitting that they have insisted that beyond just a place and a title, Rushmere is alsothebeginning of a new phase.
Following an intense period of creativity, the project was produced by fellow nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb and recorded at the famous RCA Studio A in Nashville, as well as in Savannah, Georgia and back home at Marcus’ studio in Devon.
The album itself drops on this Friday 28 March and judging by the little that we’ve heard so far, they’ve been well worth the wait.
As for the arena show, tickets will go on sale this Thursday 27 March at 10am.
Best of all, they’re donating £1 from every ticket sold straight to War Child UK – this sort of stuff should be standard for any big act as far as we’re concerned.
Sophie Smith -
10th December 2021 
