Jinos
Jino's Thai Cafe - Passionately Independent, Jino's Thai Cafe, North Lane, Headingley, Leeds, UK
Thai is my favourite food. And my favourite Thai restaurant in the west is Jinos in Headingley. I love the cafe atmosphere and the food is top quality. The Thai food scene as a whole is great in Leeds. Thai Aroy Dee has wonderful food, and for atmosphere Zaap is amazing - especially now it's in Headingley too. I love all the independent eateries and I’ll always go indie if possible. Another of my temptations is American pancakes. One of my favourite things in the world is a pancake brunch in the sun at Heany in Mill in Headingley.
Woodhouse Ridge
Woodhouse Ridge, Leeds, UK
I grew up in Headingley but astoundingly never knew about Woodhouse Ridge until I returned to the area about 8 years ago. The Ridge is truly one of the loveliest places on the planet (and I’ve been to A LOT of places!). You can almost walk from town right out to the countryside. Or sit on the grass and look over Meanwood. Every time I feel like the luckiest person alive as it changes with the seasons. There’s a graffitied wall which changes with the seasons too as artists paint over it regularly, the greenery and the art making the perfect combination.
Leeds Town Hall
Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds, UK
Often used as the symbol of municipal Britain, our Town Hall is a wonder. I remember it being black from the industrial soot of the air. Then in the 80s it was sandblasted, emerging pale brown, and it was like a whole new building. Inside it's wonderful too. There’s the ginormous organ in Victoria Hall, the acoustics are wonderful anc classical concerts there a true delight.
The Brudenell
Brudenell Social Club, Queen's Road, Burley, Leeds, UK
The coolest small music venue in the country. The fact that it’s still got the feel of an old social club, and could never be described as dinky-do or plush, but yet attracts many of the best names in music from around the globe. Its atmosphere is perfect. Music shouldn’t be clean and antiseptic. The small stage means the bands are really connected to the audience. That’s what live music is all about. And the drinks are pretty cheap too!
The Canal
Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Leeds, UK
Growing up in Leeds in the 80s the canal wasn’t even a thing. Then it got renovated and we all fell in love with it. Walk from town all the way to Horsforth and beyond to the nature reserve at Rodley then onto Apperley Bridge and Saltaire. In a city full of hills the flat of the canal is a joy to those of us who cycle. It’s also a trip back in time to our proud industrial history, nowhere more than the stretch in Armley.
Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C, Elland Road, Beeston, Leeds, UK
Even through the dark days of league one, us die hard fans were still Marching On Together. Leeds United in our veins and in our hearts and souls. At least until the world stops going round. Cos we’re all Leeds Aren’t We.
Peg Alexander is a Leeds lass, an award winning TV, radio and podcast presenter, journalist and event host covering people, politics and how the world goes round. Broadcasting is her second career. Previously, she had a spell in national politics, ran charities, developed major national social policy, and worked at a senior level in national and local government.
Jinos
Thai is my favourite food. And my favourite Thai restaurant in the west is Jinos in Headingley. I love the cafe atmosphere and the food is top quality. The Thai food scene as a whole is great in Leeds. Thai Aroy Dee has wonderful food, and for atmosphere Zaap is amazing - especially now it's in Headingley too. I love all the independent eateries and I’ll always go indie if possible. Another of my temptations is American pancakes. One of my favourite things in the world is a pancake brunch in the sun at Heany in Mill in Headingley.
Woodhouse Ridge
I grew up in Headingley but astoundingly never knew about Woodhouse Ridge until I returned to the area about 8 years ago. The Ridge is truly one of the loveliest places on the planet (and I’ve been to A LOT of places!). You can almost walk from town right out to the countryside. Or sit on the grass and look over Meanwood. Every time I feel like the luckiest person alive as it changes with the seasons. There’s a graffitied wall which changes with the seasons too as artists paint over it regularly, the greenery and the art making the perfect combination.
Leeds Town Hall
Often used as the symbol of municipal Britain, our Town Hall is a wonder. I remember it being black from the industrial soot of the air. Then in the 80s it was sandblasted, emerging pale brown, and it was like a whole new building. Inside it's wonderful too. There’s the ginormous organ in Victoria Hall, the acoustics are wonderful anc classical concerts there a true delight.
The Brudenell
The coolest small music venue in the country. The fact that it’s still got the feel of an old social club, and could never be described as dinky-do or plush, but yet attracts many of the best names in music from around the globe. Its atmosphere is perfect. Music shouldn’t be clean and antiseptic. The small stage means the bands are really connected to the audience. That’s what live music is all about. And the drinks are pretty cheap too!
The Canal
Growing up in Leeds in the 80s the canal wasn’t even a thing. Then it got renovated and we all fell in love with it. Walk from town all the way to Horsforth and beyond to the nature reserve at Rodley then onto Apperley Bridge and Saltaire. In a city full of hills the flat of the canal is a joy to those of us who cycle. It’s also a trip back in time to our proud industrial history, nowhere more than the stretch in Armley.
Leeds United
Even through the dark days of league one, us die hard fans were still Marching On Together. Leeds United in our veins and in our hearts and souls. At least until the world stops going round. Cos we’re all Leeds Aren’t We.