West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire mixes lively cities with mill towns and moorland villages, all within easy reach of one another. Leeds is the region's commercial heart, offering shopping, nightlife and culture, while Wakefield and Halifax bring their own civic character, museums and market traditions. Huddersfield, Batley and Liversedge reflect the area's industrial past, with grand Victorian architecture still standing among busy town centres.

For a slower pace, Holmfirth and Oxenhope sit among the Pennine hills, popular for walking and well known through film and steam railway links. Ilkley and Keighley border the moors and Yorkshire Dales, ideal for those wanting countryside with good transport connections. Horsforth and Bardsey offer quieter, village-style bases within easy striking distance of Leeds, suiting visitors after a calmer stay close to city amenities.

Leeds accounts for much of the choice here, running from smart city-centre options like Dakota Leeds and Hotel Indigo Leeds through to reliable chain stops such as Premier Inn Leeds Headingley and the Mercure Leeds Parkway Hotel, useful for those wanting easy access without paying central rates. Quebecs Hotel and Ackroyd House suit those after something with a bit more character close to the shops, bars and stations.

Outside the city, the pace changes considerably. Holmfirth and the surrounding Pennine villages offer country inns and farm stays such as Coddys Farm and The Huntsman Inn, better suited to walkers and those visiting for the scenery than for nightlife. Places like Hinsley Hall show the range extends to quieter, more traditional settings too.

With 228 places to choose from across the county, it is worth deciding first whether you want to be within walking distance of central Leeds or based further out among the hills, as the two experiences differ substantially.

West Yorkshire mixes industrial heritage with plenty of modern entertainment, and Leeds naturally carries the largest share of it, from escape rooms like Escape Hunt Leeds to axe-throwing at Whistle Punks. Halifax and Huddersfield have their own scattering of family activities and creative studios, while smaller spots such as Otley and Oxenhope offer a quieter pace, with treasure trails and outdoor pursuits that make the most of the surrounding countryside.

Further east, Pontefract and Knottingley add to the choice with hunt-style games and play centres, useful if you're based nearer the M62 corridor. Ossett and Keighley round things out with local venues worth a detour. Deciding where to go often comes down to whether you want an indoor challenge, a hands-on creative session, or something more active outdoors, and the county's spread of towns makes it easy to combine a day out with wherever else you're already headed.

Leeds carries much of the weight here, with a restaurant scene that runs from city centre dining rooms to neighbourhood curry houses and everything a busy population needs in between. Places like Mumbai Boss and Shimla Spice point to the strength of South Asian cooking across the county, a tradition that runs equally deep in Bradford's orbit around Shipley and Keighley.

Away from Leeds, the mill towns offer their own mix. Huddersfield, Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract all have solid pub and takeaway trades alongside sit-down restaurants, while Ilkley and Silsden lean towards a quieter, more café-led pace suited to walkers coming off the moors. Batley keeps things practical, with kitchens and caterers serving local trade rather than passing tourists.

With well over two thousand places listed, the choice really depends on what sort of evening you want. Sports and social clubs such as Keighley Cougars Kitchen sit alongside coffee chains and independent cafés, so it pays to think about town first, then narrow down by the kind of meal you fancy.

Camping and glamping across West Yorkshire tends to follow the hills, with the Pennine fringes around Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Holmfirth offering the steepest views and the most characterful setups. Sites like A Place In The Pennines and Turley Holes Farm make the most of that valley scenery, while Ridge Fold Camping and Hob Hey Hideaways lean towards a quieter, off-grid feel among the moors.

Further east, around Otley, Wetherby and Bardsey, the land softens and sites such as Glenfield Caravan Park suit those wanting easier access to the Wharfe valley and Leeds. Keighley and Haworth put you close to Brontë country and the Worth Valley steam railway, handy if you're combining a stay with walking or heritage sightseeing.

Smaller certificated sites like Thurlmoor Farm work well for a simple overnight stop, whereas places such as Secret Valley Escapes and Cross Farm Retreat are built for a proper glamping break, with more comfort and less packing.

Self-catering cottages across West Yorkshire tend to favour a quieter, more rural setting than the county's city-centre hotels, with properties such as Carr Cottage, Carr House and Hawks House offering a base away from the main roads while still keeping Leeds and Wakefield within easy reach. Names like Bramble Cottage, Cherry Blossom Cottage and Lavender Cottage point to the smaller, garden-set conversions that make up much of what's on offer here.

Wakefield's surrounding villages suit those wanting walking country and a slower pace, while cottages nearer Leeds work well for combining a stay with the city's shops and galleries. Herons Nest and Cross Lane Cottage are typical of the sort of self-contained spot that suits couples or small groups, so it's worth checking sleeping arrangements and outside space before booking, as these vary considerably between properties.