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Leeds General Infirmary and the old George Street entrance
The first Leeds Infirmary was built in 1771 in what is now Infirmary Street, but in 1863, construction started on a new LGI on George Stree
timbarber
Apr 12 min read
15 views
1 comment

How Whitby played a major part in the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic horror novel Dracula
There is a whole industry in Whitby centred around the myth of the blood sucking Count Dracula. Find out how iWhitby inspired Bram Stoker
timbarber
Mar 275 min read
85 views
0 comments


Scotland Forever – the story behind Leeds City Art Gallery’s iconic painting showing the Battle of Waterloo
When you look at the painting Scotland Forever with its cavalry charge people are surprised to hear that the painting was done by a woman
timbarber
Mar 24 min read
83 views
1 comment

Sri Lankan Tapas in Ilkley
It was about time to finally get around to trying out Brook’s in Ilkley and their Sri Lankan food offering.
timbarber
Feb 253 min read
42 views
1 comment

Giant Arms in Mandela Gardens, Leeds
The garden is a little sea of tranquillity in the centre of Leeds, and a great place to sit and contemplate or grab a sandwich and catch you
timbarber
Feb 243 min read
37 views
1 comment


A Brief history of Clifford's Tower in York
We are talking about Clifford’s Tower, which has played a major part in the history of York for nearly a thousand years.
timbarber
Feb 73 min read
103 views
2 comments

The Ox Club Leeds and a special meat feast…
I had heard lots of good things about a restaurant called Ox Club in Leeds. The clue being in the name was that it was a mecca for meat.
timbarber
Feb 35 min read
53 views
0 comments

A bluffers guide to Yorkshire dry stone walls...
One of the most obvious, dominant features of the Yorkshire Dales is the dry stone wall. Built without mortar and stable because of their un
timbarber
Jan 305 min read
148 views
1 comment

Leeds Discovery Centre - exploring the hidden treasures which can't fit into Leeds City Museum
To house these extra exhibits, a purpose built display storage facility was built in 2007 funded by Leeds City Council and a National Lotter
timbarber
Jan 284 min read
71 views
1 comment

The Karachi – Bradford’s oldest curry house and a favourite of Rick Stein
The restaurant was founded back in 1963 on Neal Street, making it the oldest Indian restaurant in Bradford. In April 2002 the celebrity chef
timbarber
Jan 216 min read
437 views
1 comment

Tolkien in Yorkshire – did his time here inspire locations in Lord of the Rings?
it’s hard not to believe that his time spent in Yorkshire both recuperating after the war in the East Riding and later living near Headingl
timbarber
Dec 19, 20245 min read
196 views
1 comment

A relaxing short stay at The Feversham Arms in Helmsley
As I was coming up to Helmsley with my wife to visit a new restaurant called Pignut, we decided to book in for the night so we could enjoy
timbarber
Dec 8, 20243 min read
54 views
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Cliffe Castle Museum – a treasure trove of fascinating exhibits in Keighley
I had not been to Cliffe Castle Museum for over a decade, but after a hospital appointment in Keighley at the weekend and with no further pl
timbarber
Dec 5, 20245 min read
99 views
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Pignut – a stunning addition to North Yorkshire’s fine dining scene
I was recommended to visit Pignut by a food journalist who had raved on to me not just about the food, but the wonderful narrative behind th
timbarber
Dec 2, 20247 min read
271 views
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Kilnsey Crag - an iconic Yorkshire landmark popular with climbers, fell runners and tourists
One of the most iconic landmarks in the Yorkshire Dales is Kilnsey Crag. Located in Wharfedale between Grassington and Kettlewell,
timbarber
Dec 2, 20245 min read
152 views
1 comment

The ancient tradition of Whitby’s Penny Hedge
But perhaps the strangest tradition from Whitby’s history is that of the Penny Hedge which legend has it dates back to 1159.
timbarber
Nov 29, 20242 min read
162 views
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York’s Ingram Hospital – a 17th century almshouse with a Norman doorway
It turns out it was called Ingram Hospital and is one of York’s most important mid-seventeenth century buildings.
timbarber
Nov 19, 20243 min read
113 views
0 comments

Restaurant Myse – innovative Michelin starred fine dining in Hovingham
Mýse brings Michelin Star dining to the tiny village of Hovingham. Going straight into the Guide with a Star,
timbarber
Nov 16, 20247 min read
121 views
1 comment


When the Golf’s Ryder Cup came to Leeds…(the first ever tournament on British soil held in 1929!)
The 2nd Ryder Cup came to Yorkshire and was held at Moortown Golf Club in Leeds. This legacy has meant that Moortown Golf Club still has a t
timbarber
Nov 12, 20243 min read
322 views
99 comments

Goathland – a heritage railway station which doubled as Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter films
2025 marks the start of the Railway 200 which celebrates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. With this in mind it inspired me to wr
timbarber
Nov 11, 20243 min read
297 views
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