It’s one of North Leeds’ most popular suburbs, and there are loads of things to do in Horsforth…
Green spaces, world-class bars and incredible restaurants, Horsforth is buzzing right now and we can’t spend enough time there. It was once one of the largest villages in the country, and now it’s a thriving Leeds suburb with a rich mix of cultural attractions, great eateries and a constant stream of exciting new independent openings that makes every visit a chance to experience something new. Whether you live there or you’re just visiting, there’s always discoveries to be made, so we did them for you – all you have to do is plan your day or night out!
Forde
Matt Healy has now run enough excellent dining places that we should probably stop referring him to as the ‘former MasterChef: The Professionals’ contestant. In many ways, Forde is much more perfect than anything he’s done before, as lamented as they might be. An intimate dining room, a succinct menu, with every dish hitting the spot. This is elevated small plates dining, where a dish of wonderful chorizo might be chased by miso-glazed courgette or a roasted chicken with wild mushrooms. Oh, and the Sunday lunch is the stuff of dreams!
Forde, 7 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5LJ.
Horsforth Hall Park
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A gorgeous slice of verdant space, this sprawl of urban parkland is one of the best things to do in Horsforth, packed full of charm and even a few surprises. Hall Park’s beautiful Japanese garden is a tranquil and relaxing spot to get away from it all, while there are plenty of places for cyclists, strollers and power walkers to do their thing. There’s also a cricket pitch, bowling green, a skate park and more. Gorgeous when the sun is roaring in summer, it’s still an oasis of russet colours in autumn and beyond.
Horsforth Hall Park, Hall Lane, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5JE.
Trattoria Il Forno
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The perfect neighbourhood trattoria (a small Italian restaurant), Il Forno is – whisper it – also one of the best pizza restaurants in Leeds, never mind just Horsforth. They do all the ‘red sauce’ classics here, making it the perfect place for date night or a catch-up with friends, but the kitchen can flex its muscles too. The Greek pizza with basil pesto, chicken and pepperoni is a perfect bomb of big flavours, while the sea bass effort shows a delicate touch. Leave room for the playbook of ever-reliable Italian desserts.
Trattoria Il Forno, 85 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5BP.
Bavette
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Opening in 2024, Bavette quickly made itself as a destination dining spot in the heart of Horsforth. This is a proper restaurant, run by Sandy Jarvis and Clément Cousin, whose extensive foodie credentials are mirrored in the finish of this must-visit dining room. Dark greens, gold mirrors and stylish lighting set the scene for an epic culinary trip around fine French fare – from braised lamb pithivier with purple broccoli and salsa verde to the rème brûlée adorned with Yorkshire rhubarb. The menu changes with the seasons, so you’ll want to book in for repeat visits.
Bavette, 4-6 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4RJ.
Once Upon a Vine
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Run by wine expert Simon Cocks, Once Upon a Vine’s perfect mixture of bottle shop and neighbourhood hang-out has made it one of the best bars in Horsforth. You can drop in for a glass with your significant other, take a tutored wine tasting or order up a bottle and a platter of cheeses and watch the world go by. Grand Cru Chablis and some charcuterie? What’s not to love about that? There’s a great range to take away, with a particular wealth of choice once you get above the £12 mark. Need a hand? The staff can help you choose something special.
Once Upon a Vine, 21 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5LJ.
The Malt Brewhouse
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Shuffleboard and a big range of quality beers? Sometimes the nights out just take care of themselves and they certainly do at this cracking Horsforth bar. There are 16 beer lines on the go at The Malt Brewhouse, as well as a medley classic cocktails and a supremely well-stocked spirit range. Hand-stretched pizzas, crispy chicken sharing baskets and loaded nachos headline the peerless pub grub menu, all fuel for a shuffleboard duel for the ages or a game or two in their stylish pool room. Love live sport? We love watching the big game here.
The Malt Brewhouse, 166 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4AQ.
Zero Muda
For those who love to shop sustainably, Zero Muda is an absolute must-visit in the heart of Horsforth. In an attempt to cut down on reckless packaging and waste, they’ve got a massive array of food, spices, nuts, oils and more, all of which can go into refillable packaging. Heck, they’ve even got beauty supplies and household items, while they also try to work with local suppliers where possible. If that’s not good enough, they channel their profits into supporting local projects, charities, schools and community events.
Zero Muda, 85 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4QD.
The Tavern
No night out on Town Street is complete without a drink at The Tavern. It loves a proper real ale, so expect a goodly selection of locally brewed delights lined up to greet you when you arrive from the likes of Timothy Taylor’s. The decor is modern meets rustic – big picture windows, long wooden benches with cushions. Got a hunger on? Bar snacks are present, but upstairs, there’s some Mexican magic going on with the delights of Arriba Arriba coming out of the kitchen, from steaming fajitas to loaded nachos.
The Tavern, 16-18 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4RJ.
Slow Rise Bakery
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The best bagels in the whole city? They just might be. This Horsforth hotspot often has queues forming out of the door for their wonderful works of bagel art, whether you’re wanting to take a bag home to fill yourself, or get some of their fab flavour combos. Plain, sesame, poppy and ‘everything’ are among the bagel options, and you can get them stuffed with salmon, cream cheese and capers, or perhaps salt beef with American mustard and gherkins? Coffee is exemplary, and the sweet and savoury bakes a guilty delight.
Slow Rise Bakery, 2a Sunnybank Avenue, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4LZ.
The Brownlee Arms
Built of Yorkshire stone and named for the locally-born Olympic champions the Brownlee brothers, The Brownlee Arms is the perfect neighbourhood pub in Horsforth. On a sunny day, you can spill into the beer garden, or nip in with your dog for a pint of ale and timeless pub grub, such as sausage and mash or fish and chips. They do a medley of cracking sarnies, weekend brunch from 10am and stacks of events. Taco Tuesday? Moules Monday? Seasonal special menus celebrating game or seafood? Check, check and check again. It’s no wonder we keep going back!
The Brownlee Arms, Long Row, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5AA.
None Go Bye Farm
Looking for family-friendly things to do in Horsforth? Look no further than None Go Bye Farm. The little ones will love meeting all the animals, from the alpacas to llamas, donkeys and honking geese. It’s safe to say all visitors fall in love with the rabbits, guinea pigs and Shetland ponies too. At £1 to get in, it’s a bargain day out – and that even includes a bag of feed. The farm shop is an absolute must-visit too, with their own-reared meats, eggs, sausages and all the chutneys and condiments you could wish for.
None Go Bye Farm, Otley Old Road, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5HZ.
Cafe Yoga
Cafe Yoga lives within a lovely Yorkshire stone building in Horsforth, and you can nip in for a restorative coffee even if doing a downward dog isn’t your thing. They serve Yorkshire’s own Dark Woods Coffee and a series of sweet treats for you to enjoy inside or in the calming Peace Garden. You can try numerous types of yoga, from beginners through to experts, as well as vinyasa, but that’s only the start of it. They run book club nights, watercolour classes, wreath making workshops and even sound bath experiences.
Cafe Yoga, 2 Back Lane, Horforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4RF.
Scoff’s
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Feeling peckish for something plant-based? Scoff’s is the place for you. This is a mum and daughter operation, painted a vivid yellow and with an emphasis on sustainability that runs from the ingredients through to the packaging. The coffee is cracking, the signature burgers hit the spot and you won’t miss the meat in the likes of the Scoffage roll. You can even come and – ahem – scoff some sweet treats, like their vegan knickerbocker glory.
Scoff’s, 86 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4LZ.
Napoli Nel Cuore
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Neapolitan flavours are to the fore at Napoli Nel Cuore, which is pretty much the classic unfussy but quietly reliable neighbourhood Italian restaurant everyone dreams of living near. No Neapolitan restaurant could hold its head high without amazing pizza, and the pies here don’t disappoint. San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte and toppings such as smoked Provola cheese or San Daniele parma ham never miss. Elsewhere, Italian staples are all present and correct, which makes this one of Horsforth’s best restaurants.
Napoli Nel Cuore, 30 Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4RJ.
Pooky’s
From the outside, Pooky’s looks like a stylish cafe where the people of Horsforth assemble to grab breakfast and brunch. And while it certainly is that, look a bit harder and you’ll see one of the city’s best deli counters tucked away at the back. After you’ve feasted on pancakes or a salami melt, you can grab artisan cheeses, charcuterie, chutneys, condiments, craft beers and wines – all from world-class producers. Cheese and wine nights are regular, and not to be missed. Better still, it’s dog friendly and Sundays promise a divine brunch.
Pooky’s, 92 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4QB.
Granville’s Beer & Gin House
Every time you return to Granville’s Beer & Gin House, there’s a decent chance that they’ll have added even more of both libations. Cask ales are regularly rotated at this light and friendly watering hole, but might include local gems from Wilde Child and Ossett Brewery, as well as the in-house Concept Brewing IPA among other keg delights. Gins run from dry delights such as Chapel Down Bacchus to fruity concoctions like JJ Whitley Plum. Make a date for the last Wednesday of every month for the perfect combo of gin and bingo.
Granville’s Beer & Gin House, 20 Long Row, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5AA.
The Hop Shack
The Hop Shack is a craft beer bottle shop and bar where you might just nip in for a quick pint and leave with a bulging bag of cans. Or vice versa. Either way, it’s a wonderful addition to the Leeds beer scene, stocking over 130 cans and bottles on the shelves, with six rotating keg lines for you to sample. Like what you’ve supped? Take home in a growler. They’ve added regular events to their calendar, so you can get some comedy or music with your craft ale.
The Hop Shack, 135 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4QD.
Venue
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As their name suggests, Venue is the place to be in Horsforth. This is a bar, restaurant and entertainment hub all in one. They’re never short of great beer, whether it’s a Horsforth Pils or a Nightcrawler Stout, and their food game is always reliable too. But the cherry on top is the amount of live entertainment you’ll get at Venue. There’s live music on nearly every night to soundtrack your sipping.
Venue, 8-10 Town Street, Horsforth, LS18 4RJ.
The Three Swords
One of the coolest pubs in Horsforth, The Three Swords is a collaboration between Leeds’ legends Kirkstall Brewery and much-loved Adel restaurant Dastaan. Alongside an outstanding drinks menu, you’ll find a mouth-watering food offering, paving the way for pints of Kirkstall favourites like Judicious or Indian-inspired cocktails paired with Indian small plates. Kick things off with samosa chaat, which will take you nicely to the paneer butter masala. Elsewhere, fusion dishes like Desi tacos and kati rolls take pride of place on the menu.
The Three Swords, 106-108 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4QB.
The Greenhouse
Right in the heart of Horsforth, The Greenhouse is a plant-based cafe whipping up deliciously healthy food all day long. They put flavour and creativity first, and boy, does it show. Their menu features delights like tofu scramble, mushroom à la crème and a whole host of bowls. It’s their vegan pancakes that they’re really famous for though – they come served American style, with a hefty dollop of yoghurt, berry compote, granola and lashings of maple syrup. Vegan or not, you won’t be disappointed.
The Greenhouse, 85E Town Street, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5BP.
Horsforth Brewery and Taproom
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If you’re a beer connoisseur, a trip to Horsforth Brewery’s taproom is absolutely non-negotiable. This isn’t your average brewery, oh no – they’ve got collaborations, guest beers from other local favourites like North and Kirkstall and brew day experiences where you can be as hands on as you like. Head down the stairs, past the hairdressers on your left, and into the taproom before pulling up a chair and supping Tiger Cub!, a 4.8% hazy pale made with Against the Grain, or perhaps Yeehaw, a 4.3% West Coast pale ale from Horsforth Brewery themselves.
Horsforth Brewery and Taproom, 143 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4QD.
Brodie & Flynn
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Brodie & Flynn may be small, but it sure is mighty. You’ll find this independent cafe in the heart of Horsforth Vale, home to great coffee, perfectly cured meat and almost too-good-to-eat cakes – think cupcakes, cannoli, croissants and more. Since opening back in 2020, they’ve slowly built a reputation for cooking up some of the best sausage rolls in Leeds, and it’s clear to see why. Flavours change regularly, but in the past have included Bengali, traditional pork and chilli and fennel.
Brodie & Flynn, 24 Bletchley Avenue, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 4FA.
Horsforth Village Museum
You can discover all the history of Horsforth, from its time as the country’s largest village to its proud local heritage, at this small but excellent museum. It sits in what was once the council chambers, with exhibits covering everything from wartime Horsforth to Victorian memorabilia and long-lost shops and businesses. It’s great for visitors, but also for those locals who want to retrace their family history and see this part of Leeds as it used to be – for that, it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Horsforth.
Horsforth Village Museum, 5 The Green, Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS18 5JB. Open from the last Saturday in March to November.
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