Having had many childhood family holidays in Leeds and having studied here for my undergraduate degree, I have been privileged over the past three years to have had the opportunity to return to Leeds as the University Jewish Chaplain for the Yorkshire region. It was the excitement of working with a dynamic student community that really appealed to my wife Tanya and myself. We were the first chaplaincy family in Leeds to live on the university campus, which enabled us to more easily connect with the students.

Fun-filled festivals, historic attractions and exquisite boutiques; Harrogate is a haven for day trippers.

The spa town of Harrogate, with its vibrant floral displays, quaint tea rooms and grand arcades, provides the perfect day out for visitors. Whether taking a stroll through lush green gardens or enjoying a day in the restored Turkish Baths, there is a multitude of exciting attractions and events to be found along its picturesque streets.

Harrogate’s spa heritage was established in the late 16th century when the first mineral spring was discovered. Since then, visitors have been able to enjoy the spa heritage in the restored Turkish Baths and Health Spa, which include a Victorian steam room and plunge pool, plus a variety of treatments.

The Baths offer a relaxing end to a day spent shopping in the town’s boutiques and stores, many of which can be found along Parliament Street and within the Montpellier Quarter, a picturesque paradise for shoppers featuring 80 exclusive shops and boutiques. The Montpellier Quarter is set within stylish surroundings, incorporating gardens and floral hanging baskets, and is also the perfect place for art lovers, with an array of antique shops and art galleries dotted along the cobbled streets.

Chapel Allerton fuses together a village vibe with a cosmopolitan air, making it one of the most sought after areas in Leeds.

Fashionable boutiques, award-winning restaurants, a vibrant nightlife... Chapel Allerton ticks all the boxes when it comes to a day out shopping or an evening wining and dining. Almost every type of cuisine is catered for with various top-notch eateries, from Italian and Mexican to Indian and Greek. Long-established public houses such as The Regent, which dates back to the 19th century, together with über trendy cocktail and champagne bars and social hotspots, like The Hub and Zed Bar, attract a lively nightlife.