The worst experience I've ever had going to an organised event…read more Unfortunately I have to carry epi pens and other such items in a back pack for my health which I was told to ditch or throw away by the head of security after my bag was checked three times by other security and a drug/bomb dog. Had life saving medication on and the guy didn't care, I either threw my bag away (£70) as he wasn't letting me in with it. It could have been rolled up and put into the black bag I was given by one of his subordinates after he stormed off like a child. He also said that women were allowed in with theirs as their bags are "fashionable" accessories. I'm sorry but mine saves my life!!! I went to see a comedy show, this wasn't the start I wanted and hated my experience/night that I paid good money for. I lost my £70 bag as it wasn't there when I came out. Head of security needs some more training

No more trekking over to Manchester to see anyone remotely decent is the hope…read more I'd had my reservations going in, from the outside I think it looks somewhat like a little bit of a monstrosity, but once inside that's forgotten - the First Direct Leeds Arena has arrived, and it's goooood. So very very goooood. The build quality and the finish on the place is fantastic and when you couple that with the really helpful staff they've managed to find somewhere, my feeling is that the Arena is brilliant. I was lucky enough to be the guest (albeit paid) of Gaucho and in their box, and again much like the whole of the Arena, the finish quality is fantastic, kitted out with fridges, sofas, comfy chairs and then a bank of arena seating for when the acts come on. The Cadbury chocolate which was branded for the act was a nice touch too. Holding only 13,000 people it's apparently a 'small' arena, and that's a good thing for me because as someone who loves going to gigs but really cant abide standing 800 metres away from who you're watching, the idea of the arena held thoughts of being too far away to see the act. This isn't the case, and with 13,000 people it still almost feels intimate. I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to seeing who it attracts, because it really is top notch, it really should bring Leeds some great, really big acts. And yes, I'm really looking forward to not having to trek over to Manchester too. Also, Elton John totally rocked on the official opening night.

A small, tenuous theme of doubles appeared to me along Street Lane. Two shoe shops, a few coffee…read moreshops, and two betting shops. Standing out from the other retail shops, cafes and convenience stores I haven't before noticed so many betting shops in such a small area, supposition as to the cause of this I leave to you but there it is. Betfred, offering online betting of many kinds including casino games and poker, the Irish and European Lottery as well as Lotto, so if you are feeling in the mood for a flutter you can go here or you could nip down to William Hill.

Second visit and still only slightly impressed. Worth visiting the area around it for a wind down.read more

The Keepmoan stadium is for all of those who keep moaning about their team and their players and…read morewishing an oil baron would come and buy them. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I had an absolutely fantastic time at Keepmoat when I was here in 2011. I played a concert in Doncaster and then came here the very next afternoon, before my evening concert in Sheffield. The fans were much louder and more intense than I expected, and my friend that brought me (he owned the hotel where I was staying in Doncaster) turned out to be a rabid fan too. I absolutely loved every second of it, but if I'm rating it strictly on the facilities, then it's a 4. Just because it's not usually full and would be even more amazing if it could be packed every week. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** The fans here don't always create the best atmosphere, but it's a really lovely new stadium, and is excellent size wise and facilities wise for a city like Doncaster. If you ever visit Doncaster, stay at the lovely Caribbean B & B. It hosts 15k and is all-seater and very impressive on every level.

My kids and I thoroughly enjoyed the grounds. There's so much to see, including a pond with water…read morefowl, and an old mansion that looks right out of a book! There are so many green fields, I wish I were a native, so I could bring my dogs out here to run.

Roundhay park will always be a special place to me, I have so many memories here!…read more Situated a short drive from the city centre and with plenty of bus options, it's a MASSIVE expanse, with green areas, woodland, a lake, a cricket ground and more. There are other options in Roundhay, such as Tropical World (paid entry- animals and plants, a great day out for kids and grown ups!), as well as gorgeous flowered gardens to wander round. If you've got a dog and want to explore, it's perfectly dog friendly, but obviously you must clear up after them, and in the gardens it might be best keeping them on the lead. Within the park itself you can stroll around the massive lake (or jog if you're that way inclined!) or sit in one of the bandstands or on the grass and have a picnic. There's a kids park, and a gorgeous restaurant right on the lake, which I've never been to but hope to eventually. In the wooded bits there's plenty to explore, with some little ruins dotted around to get the kids' imagination going. Roundhay is a fantastic and free day out. I've never had any problems with crowds, yes it gets busy but it's so big there's plenty of room!

This is a very versatile venue with seating which pulls out/pushes back, a cinema screen, hard…read moredance floor, bar and large lobby area. There are also offices incorporated into the building. Would make an ideal wedding venue and I've been to a fair few birthday parties here which have gone without a hitch. Also available for live music which my friends have been to see and recommended highly.

This is an excellent day out for children,and is really good value.Included in the entrance fee,is…read morea free pony ride, and a tracker barrell ride were the farmers tracker pulls the barrells through the privet woods,at busy times staff dress up in rabbit costumes ect and hide in the woods and jump out on the kids and give them lollies an balloons. The animal centre is home to a collection of well known animals and also rare breeds. My favorite are the little tiny monkeys, I also love the racoons as they have proper little hands and stretch through the bars to hold your hand.the centre lets your kids interact with the animals when possible such as giving bottles to the baby lambs It takes a full day to see and do every thing,so when you want to eat,there is either a picnic area next to the childrens play area,or you can go to the barn cafe were they make excellent home made meals and snacks

This farm goes way beyond your standard lot of pigs, sheep, horses and cows. There are many exotic…read morebreeds here, including llamas, monkeys and exotic bired. Admission prices are a little steep (£5 for adults) but there's plenty to see and do, and if you bring a picinc or make use of the cafe, you could spend a whoel day here. Great for kids, as there's pony rides, a play area and lamb feedings in the Spring.

A great way to spend a day!!…read more Just on the outskirts of Leeds, not far from the royal armories, is a hugely understated building. From the looks of the industrial buildings around PPIK (Pole Position Indoor Karting) it doesn't appear to be up to much. Holy hell was I wrong. There are a number of races available, all ranging in cost. I'll detail the one I chose and for more head to their very comprehensive website. I got a group of mates together for an 'Iron man 50' karting session 50 minutes of warm up and racing. The cost per person was £50, which is quite expensive, but this is not something you do every weekend. Booked over the phone whilst in Japan they were obliging to process me really quickly, 10% deposit taken and dates confirmed. I also arranged to have trophies presented to the top three winners (out of our group). On the day we arrived we were handed overalls, gloves and hairnets (hygiene). There are lockers on site and it's advised that you use them, becase you will lose your phone to a tire) and after some prep work on flags, which mean stop / go / stop what you're doing / you're out of here you crazy b*stard. We went out for our helmets and a warm up. The track in fantastic. With two bridges and two tunnels it's a decent size. Plus with chicanes and choke points it's real fun with a group of mates. We had a few crashes, but the karts are nice and sturdy (Watch out for the sharp left under the bridge, I almost took a kart in the face). Note* When setting off on the warm up they recommend you leave some distance, between yourself and the car in front, to get a good time. Do it, and go hell for leather, because your best warm up lap will decide where you start on the qualifying grid. The higher up the better. Anyway. The lads and I loved it. We headed to the PPIK bar (plenty of draft beers), received a detailed printout, a good laugh, trophy presentation and a bottle of champagne (on the house) for the winner. Sadly I did not win, but I did get the fastest laptime of 47.600 - if you beat it let me know. A seriously good out!

Wow, this was so much fun! Not done it before, and just by chance got the opportunity to go with a…read moregroup to an event here... and glad I did! We did the Ironman 20 - so 30 minutes driving all together when you include the qualifier. Bit pricey, but loads of fun!

I've been going to Jam Studios for a good while now, and only just realised I've not put up a…read morereview! One thing to note - this is the only researsal space that I've been to so I have nothing to compare this to. I go here with a couple of mates to just play some music - we're not a band or anything so it's a very relaxed experience and we aren't that fussed if the sound is a bit off. This can happen at times with some of the equipment that can be hired, but they're happy to swap amps or bits of the drum kit for different bits if you have a complaint. I get on the drums for most of the time, and I can tell you that the drums and cymbals can vary pretty wildly. Also when hopping on the guitar we do find some of the amps are quite frankly rubbish. Again though, just ask to change anything and there's never a problem with this. Jam have 10 rooms of various sizes to hire, with free drum and backline hire on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The free drum and backline hire is wonderful on its own - eliminating the annoyance of lugging big amps around makes the whole experience that bit more relaxed. Price wise it seems reasonable. We've paid between £14 and £19 for a 2 hour session depending on room size, day of the week we go and therefore whether it's free hire on things, and also seemingly who is on the desk at times (we started out using a small room and were charged slightly differently a few times..). Despite the wonky charges here and there (I'm willing to believe it was more that we were undercharged at times!), the people are lovely there and always happy to help with any problems. Despite some minor problems I would recommend Jam Studios as a (seemingly) cheap researsal space if you're not looking for somewhere that will have absolutely bang on sound every time.