Home to an amazing selection of restaurants, cafés and shops it is no surprise that Chapel Allerton is a hugely popular suburb of Leeds. Perfectly situated with fantastic transport links; only a 10- minute bus ride into town and conveniently close to Roundhay Park; one of the biggest city parks in Europe. Creativity in the arts is thriving in this area of Leeds with Seven Arts and Inkwell Arts making Chapel Allerton their home.

Seven is an independent art space with a difference showcasing the best local and regional talent through film, theatre, dance, spoken word and comedy. With regular events there is something that will keep everyone entertained. Just a 10 minute walk away you will find Inkwell Arts, a charity run arts centre with a focus on mental health and recovery. Their work is based on developing creativity in all individuals regardless of ability as an integral part of recovery from mental health issues. A broad range of classes are available, try your hand at pottery or African drumming. If you fancied something a little quieter the mindfulness mediation is a perfect way to clear your head. While some classes are referral only, they offer open classes and short courses for anyone. The arts don’t finish there in Chapel Allerton. Every year Chapel Allerton host Chapel Allerton Arts Festival; a week-long celebration of events to round off the summer in Leeds. Expect live music, stalls, family activities and wide range of food.

There are plenty of independents for a spot of retail therapy from The Little Bookshop, the only independent bookshop dedicated to children in Leeds to Chirpy, a design shop and workshop space. If you’re feeling creative, they run weekly courses from calligraphy to jewellery. If jewellery is up your street then look no further than Angels gift shop, they sell beautiful jewellery made lovingly by local artists.

Chapel Allerton’s food and drink scene is just as varied and exciting. Amongst them are George & Joseph Cheesemongers, who have been shortlisted for Guild of Fine Food’s annual shop of the Year awards. They source and stock the finest locally produced Yorkshire cheeses, along with a selection of the best cheeses from the UK and further afield.  The best place to go for all your cheese needs!  A family favourite, The Mustard Pot, a Georgian style pub with a beautiful beer garden perfect for drinks in the sun. Their menu doesn’t disappoint either, indulge in some seafood with their cider steamed mussels or try one of their fantastic pies; shepherdess lentil pie or steak and Guinness pie. If this doesn’t whet your appetite then head over to Nash’s Traditional Fisheries, a staple of Chapel Allerton since the 1960’s. Serving classic fish and chips to halloumi fries and salt and pepper squid. It doesn’t stop there grab a Mexican from Pinche Pinche or indulge in some Thai cuisine from Sukhothai.

It is easy to have a good night out in Chapel Allerton with many more bars and pubs making it their home. Including The Woods, it is definitely one of the best places in Leeds for a few drinks outside the city centre.  The first of the North Bars to branch out of the city centre, Further North, found its home in Chapel Allerton. Well known for its cosy atmosphere it has fast become a firm favourite.

Chapel Allerton definitely has some quirky traits…if you look in the right place you will notice that a series of roads with names that pay homage to Canada. Some of the street names include Ontario Place, Montreal Avenue and Winnipeg Place. We can thank Sir John Barran, Mayor of Leeds between 1870 and 1871, for bringing a slice of North America to North Leeds.

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