Aimee Howarth brings you an interview with The Yorker directors on the final day of the advent articles
Aimee Howarth speaks to YUSU's sabbatical officers about their Christmas Day routine for day 17 of the advent calendar
For the final time this term, Vicky Morris updates you on this weeks film news
50 years after the publication of 'James and the Giant Peach', the works of Roald Dahl continue to celebrate success.
Being constrained to the east of the Pennines need no longer be the case with such cheap deals on offer, enabling you to venture (albeit hesitantly) into the west.
Travel: With your Young Person’s Railcard, you can get two Student Getaway Single tickets for an outward and return to journey to Manchester Oxford Road (in the heart of the city) for only £7.50. Leaving at 7.40am on Saturday 14th May and returning 9.07pm, it only takes around an hour and a half to reach the ‘Capital of the North’.
Shopping: The label-lovers among us are spoilt for choice in this city, with Harvey Nichols, DKNY and Vivienne Westwood brands with bases in Manchester, alongside the usual high street brands. But if you’re a bargain shopper, why not join the Mancunians by heading for the city’s markets. Open every Saturday on Tib Street, Manchester is home to the first dedicated fashion market in the North West, housing the latest up and coming designers who sell one off independent designs for reasonable prices. Visit the Manchester Markets website for dates and details of other markets.
Eating Out: If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful, Manchester if full of cafes and bars with more of a cosmopolitan feel than York. In the evening, why not head down to the famous ‘Curry Mile’ in Rusholme, where there is an abundance of restaurants with reasonable prices. If you’re pushing the boat out, Manchester has plenty of award winning restaurants, such as Gaucho Grill, winner of Manchester’s Best Restaurant of the Year 2007, a fantastic Argentine restaurant. For some classic British cuisine, head to Sam’s Chop House off Cross Street.
Entertainment: The ‘Madchester’ scene of the 80s gave us groups such as The Stone Roses, and the Happy Mondays, but the city is still buzzing with several smaller music venues showcasing new talent. Alternatively, head to the MEN Arena or The Apollo for big names on tour.
Nightlife: Eccentric sounds at the Mint Lounge, live jazz at Oldham Street neighbour Matt and Phreds. Also on Oldham Street is UK clubland favourite Sankey’s Soap, where famous DJs are a regular fixture with house tunes on a Saturday. Just off Oxford Road, you’ll find chilled out rare grooves and latin beats at Po Na Na. Ranked by Kerrang as one of the best rock clubs in the UK is Jilly's Rockworld, whose famed all-nighters have four rooms divvying up classic rock, nu-metal, emo, ska, punk, indie and thrash until 7am.
To learn more about the Manchester Markets click here.
Travel: With single train tickets from £4.60 and only a 50 minute journey, Durham is well worth a visit. It is home to magnificent Norman architecture, beautiful riverside walks, a cobbled Victorian market place and ‘Europe’s Worst Club’ (as voted by FHM), but Durham is an absolute gem of a day trip from York.
Culture: Bill Bryson described the cathedral as ‘the best cathedral on planet earth’ and it is positioned in the centre of this historic city. Admission is free and it is possible to climb up the spire. Durham students widely believe that you cannot get a first if you reach the top, but it’s safe for York students - we’ve checked. The castle opposite is equally spectacular.
Eating out: A number of restaurants and cafes are on offer. Esquires is a favourite and has a hot chocolate selection to rival that of Evil Eye. The river runs through the city and students flock to its banks in the summer to have BBQs, rent boats and ‘revise’. The stunning Durham countryside is also easily accessible if you are looking for a more adventurous picnic spot.
Entertainment: Durham may not be your best bet for exciting nightlife but there are a few quirky pubs on offer. The Castle Bar is set within the castle, or if you’re feeling brave and fancy an authentic Durham experience, The Fighting Cocks is a popular haunt for locals. Although Klute is now ‘Europe’s Worst Club’ (it only gained such distinction after the original ‘worst club’ burnt down), it is loved by students and guaranteed to have a lively atmosphere. It has an uncanny resemblance to Ziggy's.
To read more about Durham click here.
Travel: Journeying from York to Leeds, by train costs £6.25 (with a Young Persons Rail Card) for a cheap day return, taking only 20 minutes to arrive in the centre of Leeds. The trains are regular, every 5-15 minutes; the last train back to York is at 2.50am.
Eating out: Leeds hosts a vast selection of trendy bars and restauarants. For a special evening meal with unique charm, BiBi’s criterion is the place to go in Leeds. This restaurant has a wonderful art deco interior, and serves Italian cuisine. There's also some great restaurants in 'The Light' from Nando's to Sushi, there's something for everyone!
Shopping: The main shopping street in Leeds is Briggate, and this is home to the general high street shops such as Zara, Topshop, Office, H&M but also a great interesting Japanese shop called Muji. The Headrow at the top end of the city has a large Primark, and if you’re looking for designer goods then the Victoria Quarter is the place to go. As well as hosting designers such as Gucci, Lacoste, Coast and All Saints, they also have High and Mighty, a clothes especially designed for very tall people! Finally, there is The Light complex, which has boutique shops, a large multi-screen cinema, and restaurants such as Ma Potters. Finally, on County Arcade, there is a Rose and Co shop, an apothecary that sells specially designed hand made cosmetics; the only one to be found outside of London.
Entertainment : One of the best places in Leeds to make the most of the sun and have a drink is Greek Street. Henry’s and Quid Pro Quo are both situated here, and have lots of tables and chairs outside, perfect for enjoying a cold cocktail or beer on a hot day. A favourite with the locals is the Dry Dock, which is a bar shaped as an old wooden ship, and is on the main road leading up to the university. Finally, to make the most of the summery weather, Millennium Square is the place to be. There is lots of outside space to enjoy food and drinks, and has bars such as Lloyds, Casa Mia and Ha Ha’s, all of which are reasonably priced.
Nightlife: For people that enjoy Funky house/electro, then Space or Mission are the places to be with dirty electro beats until 6am. R n B is best in Leeds on a Thursday night. Try Halo nightclub, which is set in a grade one listed church, has great acoustics, and is very popular with students. Bar Risa is also a good club for R n B on a Thursday.
Leeds has a great gay scene. The best place to go is the Queens Court and the Courtyard parties they hold. This is Leeds biggest gay club which can hold over 700 people. For those who fancy something a bit different, you should try the Bird Cage, which is a transvestite club, located near the train station, and has recently won at the Leeds Nightlife Awards.
To read more about Leeds click here.
Coming soon... The Yorker Summer Guide to the Seaside...
"live jazz at Oldham Street neighbour Matt and Phreds"
Hehe, someone read the comments on the last Manchester getaway then? 
I love how Durham lacks a nightlife section cause it just doesn't have one at all hehe.
Wok-mania, Pizza-mania and Spice-mania are all shut down now. I recommend the pricier but far superior Spice Quarter on millenium square as a good all-you-can-eat alternative.
There's a Rose and Co in Haworth, too. It's a beautiful Yorkshire village that's also worth a visit.
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