Sayeeda Warsi is one of Yorkshire’s best-known faces. She rose to prominence as the first Muslim to serve in a British cabinet and now sits in the House of Lords. Brought up in Dewsbury, she lives in Wakefield. Among the many roles she holds is vice-president of The Yorkshire Society
A place in Yorkshire that makes you smile
Wakefield Westgate Station! I spend half my time in London so when the train pulls in, I get that feeling and relief of being ‘home’. If the barriers are down, ‘mister’ will be waiting.
A place you love to eat
Cona in Bradford. It’s a steak restaurant in Bradford’s Little Germany area that does phenomenal steaks. I love their wagyu beef – and everything on the menu really, I am a steak person. The place is tiny and very popular – you have to book! As for curry in Bradford? When you’ve got a mum like mine, nothing’s ever going to compare!
A place to go with friends
For a good hike we go to Otley Chevin and one of the places I return to the is independent Cocoa Lounge in Dewsbury. When you walk in it is the nearest thing you’re going to get to walking into the Friends café. You walk in and there are sofas and lots of activity and they do the most delicious comfort food – you could just sit there for hours. Because I was born and raised in Dewsbury it is a really great place and I always bump into somebody that I know.
A childhood memory
It was when the Humber Bridge opened (1981). My dad decided that he was going to take us to this great engineering achievement and treat it a bit like a school day. My mum, a fantastic seamstress put us in these silk ethnic outfits with beautiful scarves – and dad marched us along the Humber Bridge and I swear it must've been the biggest health and safety hazard because we were nearly blown away – I was about ten and I remember thinking - ‘what the hell are we doing’, but, I look back and think what a wonderful thing – he wanted us to see this amazing structure – everything about him was aspirational, achieving and pushing the boundaries.
A cultural go-to
Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We don't live that far from it and I am a trustee, so it’s really personal to me. It has beautiful grounds, public art, great shop and gallery. It’s not just looking at art and sculpture, it's about that beautiful backdrop and appreciating where you are.
Inspiration outdoors
Haworth and Top Withens. I grew up on the Bronte sisters and there was Dewsbury connection as their father was a curate at what is now the Minster. I was a massive bookworm when I was a kid and loved Wuthering Heights. I went as kid and have been back so many times. It’s a wonderful, wonderful place – made even more special by the fact that my son-in-law proposed to my daughter there! It continues to be a wonderful, special and inspirational place.
A place for indulgence
Two; to indulge the sights and smells, I would say it has to be the Victoria Quarter in Leeds, but to indulge the taste, it has to be Bettys in Harrogate. The whole vibe of it feels indulgent.
A Yorkshire view that inspires
If you've seen the BBC Winter Walks, you will know the walk I did in Wharfedale. I went to Conistone Pie, a circular rocky outcrop, and then descended into Gurling Trough finishing up in Kettlewell. Stunning.
I’m never happier than when
Summer comes and the house fills with children and grandchildren and it’s a hive of activity.
Three words that sums up your best Yorkshire life
Family, friendly, funny-folk!
