Welcome to Yorkshire
Inspiration • October 5th, 2025
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As autumn settles over Yorkshire, this week’s newsletter is packed with seasonal highlights – from Amanda Owen’s brand-new Christmas book and Bradford’s striking Lister Mill light show to San Carlo’s cosy new menu in Leeds, wildlife rescues, family-friendly trails and half-term festivals, plus unmissable gigs, theatre, and exclusive dining and travel offers right across the county:
Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, has released her first children’s book with Puffin — Christmas Tales from the Farm — a heartwarming collection of snowy animal adventures and festive family stories inspired by life at her Ravenseat farm, beautifully illustrated by Becca Hall.
Castleford designer Goodness Woodhead is championing upcycled fashion through Yorkshire Cancer Research shops, turning donated denim into new creations that boost confidence for women affected by cancer while helping fund life-saving research and reducing waste.
Three young lions rescued from war-torn Ukraine – Oleg, Rafael and Shanti – have arrived safely at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after a 1,700-mile journey, beginning their new lives in the park’s seven-acre Lion Country sanctuary.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Annual Steam Gala 2025 drew over 5,000 passengers for four days of heritage locomotives, visiting engines, and expertly run journeys across the moors.
Bradford City AFC has teamed up with McLaren driver and 2024 British GT4 Champion Zac Meakin, whose 720S GT3 Evo will carry the Bantams’ crest on iconic European circuits, alongside a fun ‘Max v Zac’ social-media series bringing football and motorsport fans together.
Leeds United have unveiled the new Hisense Leeds Lounge in Elland Road’s East Stand – a state-of-the-art hospitality suite offering premium dining, bars, entertainment, and top-tier matchday experiences alongside flexible space for events and conferences.
Family-run Wold Top Brewery and Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery, both based on their farm near Filey, have been shortlisted for the 2025 Deliciously Yorkshire Taste Awards with their Landmark Lager and Filey Bay Nurture Regenerative Edition whisky.
Burton Constable Hall’s much-loved Stables Kitchen Café is now run directly by the Burton Constable Foundation, meaning every slice of cake and cuppa helps fund the conservation of the historic Elizabethan hall, parkland and even its famous 60-foot whale skeleton.
Bradford 2025 has launched the ‘Meet Our Mothers’ cookbook – a vibrant collection of family recipes and personal stories celebrating the city’s diverse heritage.
San Carlo’s new Autumn–Winter Menu 2025 is now being served at San Carlo Leeds (6–7 South Parade, LS1 5QX) and the beloved Flying Pizza Roundhay (60 Street Lane, LS8 2DQ), offering seasonal Italian dishes such as pumpkin-and-truffle pasta, slow-cooked beef cheek, and whole baked sea bass.
Lister Mill’s towering 249-foot chimney lit up 3–5 October (8–10 pm) with STRIKE, a free outdoor projection-and-sound show for Bradford 2025 City of Culture, telling the story of the 1890 women-led mill strike and celebrating the city’s heritage of community action and resilience.
Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet Restaurant Week returns from 6–12 October with set-price menus from £10–£30 at local pubs, cafés and restaurants, offering diners great-value autumn meals.
Victoria Melody’s award-winning show Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak—a funny, heartfelt blend of history, activism and community spirit—tours the UK this autumn, stopping at Leeds on Tuesday.
Leeds hosts Sound System: Music & Poetry of the Black Atlantic at the Royal Armouries on 8 October (6:30 pm), uniting dub-poetry pioneer Linton Kwesi Johnson with Brazilian poet Conceição Evaristo, TS Eliot Prize-winner Roger Robinson and host Malika Booker to explore how Jamaican sound-system culture shaped music, identity and activism worldwide.
The moving new play Fishlake takes to the stage at Cast Doncaster on 16–17 October 2025 during Flood Action Week, telling the true story of the 2019 floods through villagers’ testimonies, a community choir and live music, with a companion photography exhibition running alongside the performances.
Leeds ranks in the UK’s top five budget-friendly bike-friendly city-break destinations for October half term, offering 22 affordable hotels, over 300 cheap-eat restaurants, two guided bike tours and 46 mapped cycling routes.
Yorkshire Dance’s Family Festival returns to Leeds on Saturday 18 October 2025 with a pay-what-you-can day of eco-themed performances, playful workshops, and interactive shows.
The Tropical Butterfly House near Sheffield hosts its Witches & Wizards Magical Trail from 18 October–2 November 2025, offering families woodland challenges, broomstick training, animal shows, spooky tractor rides and a wizard’s certificate for young graduates — all included with standard admission.
The Raworths Children’s Festival returns to Harrogate’s Crown Hotel on 18–19 October with a fun-packed programme featuring panto star Mama G, Royal Ballet’s Steven McRae, dino experts Anne and Steve Brusatte, mystery-maker Susannah Lloyd and myth-busting author Tom Vaughan – perfect half-term entertainment for families.
The electrifying Spark! drummers return to Light Night Leeds with glowing costumes and high-energy 20-minute shows under Trinity Leeds’ glass dome at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm on 22–23 October 2025.
North Yorkshire Water Park near Scarborough is serving up October half-term thrills with activities including archery, axe throwing, laser tag, zip line and climbing wall, plus family-friendly Halloween pumpkin carving sessions and a lakeside Pumpkin Walk from 25–31 October.
Rising UK singer-songwriter Devon brings his heartfelt new mixtape WHEN THE WORLD GOES QUIET to Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds, on Saturday 22 November 2025 — an intimate stop on his first headline UK tour following a breakthrough summer supporting McFly.
Wakefield’s Light Up festival brings festive cheer across the district this November with community Christmas light switch-ons in Castleford, Ossett and Pontefract, followed by a three-day light-art trail and the city’s official switch-on in Wakefield from 21–23 November.
Primary schools across Yorkshire can enjoy FREE guided educational tours of the Leeds Christmas Market from 1–11 December 2025, with pupils exploring festive traditions, local crafts and market life during 11 am and 1 pm weekday sessions — advance booking required via Leeds for Learning.
D-Block Europe bring their new PTSD2 mixtape to life on stage at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on Saturday 6 December 2025, treating Yorkshire fans to high-energy hits, fresh tracks like ‘Wrongs’ with Lil Tjay, and one of the standout nights of their UK & Ireland winter arena tour.
A new free exhibition at The Folly in Settle, running until 3 January 2026, showcases the work of three generations of women artists from one Malham family—Constance Pearson, her daughter Philippa Holmes and granddaughter Katharine Holmes—celebrating a century of creativity inspired by the same Yorkshire landscape.
Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre has unveiled its first 2026 season highlights, including the madcap musical whodunit Murder for Two (28 Mar–18 Apr), comedy special The Em Show (13 Feb), a folk night with Martin & Eliza Carthy (21 Feb), Sam Jewison singing Cole Porter classics (7 Mar) and Neil Gore’s powerful one-man adaptation of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (16 Apr).
Opeth bring their only UK show of 2026 to the spectacular open-air courtyard of The Piece Hall, Halifax, on Saturday 1 August 2026 as part of their Last Will & Testament world tour — a one-off Yorkshire date in a historic setting that promises an unforgettable summer night of progressive metal.
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Enjoy up to 15% off Europcar rentals booked between 29 September and 12 October 2025 for travel until 31 March 2026, making it easier to explore Yorkshire’s stunning autumn drives—from Buttertubs Pass to Blakey Ridge—at your own pace.
Best Western’s flash autumn sale is offering 30% off stays with breakfast included at participating hotels across Britain – including popular Yorkshire spots – for bookings made by 3 October 2025 for stays until 30 December.
Just Go Holidays’ new 2026 brochure launch comes with early bird savings – including up to £75 off longer European coach trips, £50 off holidays by air, and discounts on spring breaks and event getaways – for bookings made by 31 October 2025.
Greene King Inns is offering 15% off autumn weekend stays between 1 September and 31 October 2025, with Yorkshire locations in Pontefract, Wakefield, Middlesbrough, Rotherham, Hull, and Wentworth providing the perfect cosy base for a seasonal getaway.
Up to 30% off on selected half term getaways at Sykes.
What's on in Yorkshire this week?
Yorkshire is buzzing with an exciting line-up of events to suit all tastes. Whether you’re looking for live music, comedy, sports nostalgia, or family-friendly entertainment, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what’s coming up in the next week:
- The Bootleg Beatles at The Royal Hall, Harrogate on October 5th, 2025 7:30pm
- Afternoon Flat Horse Racing at Pontefract Racecourse – Monday 06 October 2025
- Riverdance 30 – The New Generation at Connexin Live, Hull on October 7th, 2025 7:30pm
- Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip at The Crescent, York on October 8th, 2025 7:30pm
- Jason Manford: A Manford All Seasons at Middlesbrough Town Hall on October 9th, 2025 7:30pm
- Katy Perry: The Lifetimes Tour at Utilita Arena Sheffield on October 10th, 2025 6:00pm
- BBC Radio 2 DANCE Sounds of the 90s with Vernon Kay at Scarborough Spa Grand Hall on October 11th, 2025 7:30pm
- Russell Kane: HyperActive at Connexin Live, Hull on October 12th, 2025 7:00pm
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