(Image: Harvey Williams-Fairley Photography)
Rozie Kelly is based in Hebden Bridge and her debut novel, Kingfisher, was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2026. She works for the Arvon charity, hosting creative writing courses, and is also host of the iglu sauna Book Club. Here, she takes us through her perfect Yorkshire weekend
How do you spend your days?
My days all start the same way – with a walk in the local woodland with my little dog, Otto. One of the many plusses of having a dog is that you’re forced outside rain or shine. And we get plenty of rain in Yorkshire. I work part-time for a creative writing charity, so when I’m not assisting writers on their creative journeys, I’m working on my own – writing novel number two under a heated blanket.
Friday nights ‒ cocktails or chill?
Always chill. Once upon a time in another life I was a cocktail bartender, so I have made and drunk my fair share. These days I am a cottagecore homebody. This could mean reading the book pick for the monthly sauna book club I run, doing yet more writing, or binging a deliciously formulaic cop drama – I’m a huge fan of anything that’s soothingly predictable. Don’t you just love seeing the bad guy get caught? If only real life were like that. I love to cook, so my partner and I will often spend the evening making ourselves a feast before setting up the projector.
Saturday morning ‒parkrun or papers?
Definitely not parkrun as I don’t have the knees for it, but I spend a lot of time in the gym and get great satisfaction from being strong. So after the obligatory walk that’s usually where you can find me.
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Feeding time?
The Robin Hood pub in Peckett Well does spectacular chips and it’s at the end of a lovely walk. We also have the Vocation taphouse in Hebden Bridge who have excellent smash burgers. But most of the time I’ll cook for myself. I tend to eat a Mediterranean diet, so lots of colourful vegetables and fish.
Retail therapy?
Vinted is my social media. I could spend hours on there, and I use it to sell anything I no longer wear so I’m not spending money on new clothes. Aside from that I’m a charity shop girl at heart, and we have some brilliant ones in Hebden. Or I’ll join my mum up in Ripon for a wander around an architectural salvage yard, imagining what we might buy if we lived in a manor house.
Saturday night perfection?
This would always be a potluck dinner with my friends. There’s a group of us who take turns hosting. I am the queen of puddings, and some of the others are literal chefs so I’m in great company. If I’m not seeing mates the ideal evening is staying at home with my partner and watching a film.
Sunday relaxation?
It definitely involves a walk. The Calder Valley is stunning – full of rolling hills and rich, damp woodland coated in the most incredible moss. I found out that the area is a temperate rainforest, which is one way of making it feel more appealing when it’s pouring down. Sundays are for slow mornings, a wander down to Mother bakery for pastries, then a long stomp through the woods or along the river to Gibson Mill. This is topped off by going back up the hill to iglu sauna (where I host the book club) to sweat out the week’s stress.
Hopes for the year ahead?
To prioritise my creativity and build a lifestyle that allows me to prioritise making art. This means finishing my second book, but also making space in my life for painting and drawing and making jewellery – the things I do for the joy of it. I want 2026 to be a gentle year, spending as much time as I can with the people I love and satisfying my urge to make up stories. Oh, and to read more, which is my goal every year..
Photo: Harvey Williams-Fairley Photography