Blog 9 - Turning 40 in Style: A Birthday Escape to Leeds & York

I can’t quite believe I’m saying this… I’m 40! Where has the time gone? In my head, I still feel 21!

We kicked things off with an incredible weekend in Leeds, celebrating with our amazing group of friends. It was actually the first time we’d all had a night away together — and wow, did we laugh! The energy, the fun, the stories (some best left in Leeds!) made it such a memorable start to my birthday celebrations.

After waving goodbye to the gang at Leeds Station, my husband and I continued the celebrations with a few days in York — a city neither of us had visited before. And honestly? We both agreed it’s our favourite place in the UK. Even with the classic October rain, our days were filled with sightseeing, cosy pub lunches, and more than a few cheeky drinks.

🏡 Where We Stayed

We booked this gorgeous Airbnb hosted by Sam, tucked away in a charming courtyard surrounded by little shops — including the most amazing cheese shop (highly recommend a visit!). The location was perfect for exploring York on foot.

🏰 What We Did

Our first stop was York Minster — and it absolutely took our breath away. It’s well worth the entry fee. Afterwards, we walked along the Roman walls and explored The Shambles before the rain rolled in. Naturally, that was our cue to duck into the House of Trembling Madness — where I had the best charcuterie and glass of red wine ever! The hubby was equally thrilled with the extensive Belgian beer list. Safe to say, we stayed there a while!

Day two brought more exploring, starting with a river cruise followed by the hop-on-hop-off bus tour — a great way to see the city. We couldn’t resist another wander through The Shambles (and a bit of retail therapy).

We popped into The Royal Oak for lunch, a beautiful old pub that’s supposedly haunted by monks who once used an underground tunnel to get from the Minster! The food was delicious, and after a quick nap back at the Airbnb, we got ready for a night out.

🍸 The Perfect End to a Perfect Trip

We’d been told a visit to York isn’t complete without a trip to the Evil Eye — and it didn’t disappoint! I discovered a new favourite, Baby Guinness shots, and we rounded off the night with some karaoke at Bar 1331.

It was the perfect end to a bloody brilliant birthday getaway — full of laughter, great company, and memories I’ll never forget.