Schmap Leeds Neighborhood Guide

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Leeds - Neighborhood Guide
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The northern outskirts of Leeds have escaped the ravages of Victorian over-development with villages such as Adel and Bramhope being amongst the city's most sought-after residential areas. Golden Acre Park and Otley Chevin Forest Park are popular public spaces, offering excellent views of the surrounding lower Wharfedale countryside. Otley is an historic market town that has retained its own distinctive character - the prevailing air of self-sufficiency was reflected by the public consternation that greeted the recent appearance of "Welcome to Leeds" signs.

Armley and Pudsey

Although part of the Metropolitan City of Leeds since the mid-1970's, Pudsey has a proud history as a separate entity—the recipient of a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1900, which distinguished it from the metropolitan sprawls of Leeds and Bradford. Pudsey's Owlcoates Centre is an impressive retail park serving the entire area west of the city. Neighbouring Armley is probably best known for Armley Mills, a relic of Leeds' industrial past and once the world's largest woolen mill.

Beeston, Middleton and Morley

Once the industrial heartland of the city, harnessing the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation, this area to the south of the city mirrored the slow decline of commercial waterways from the 1920s. However, the presence of the Elland Road Stadium, home to Leeds United FC, has ensured that the area remains fixed in the city's consciousness. Enlightened regeneration has seen Thwaite Mills and the historic Middleton Railway become two of the city's leading tourist attractions. Morley has plenty in the way of shops and facilities. It is the location of the Leeds Exhibition Complex, but the White Rose Centre, Leeds' gargantuan and prodigiously popular out-of-town retail park, is the greatest pull for visitors to the area.

Burmantofts, Harehills and Osmondthorpe

Once famous for its unique pottery, Burmantofts is now best known for Jimmy's, otherwise known as St. James' University Hospital. It is one of the country's premier teaching hospitals. Next door is the award-winning Thackray Medical Museum, offering an unblinking view of Britain's social history. Osmondthorpe and Harehills are home to Asian and Irish communities. Harehills is the location of the city's impressive Grand Mosque whilst Osmondthorpe harbours the Irish Centre, a national concert venue for the performing arts.

Chapeltown, Moortown and Roundhay

These northern districts of the city are known for their multicultural communities and character. Chapeltown has found it hard to shake off negative connotations derived from its ramshackle appearance, but is famous for its annual West Indian carnival, a spectacle to rival the Notting Hill Carnival in London. Moortown is synonymous with its Jewish community and boasts a fine selection of specialist shops and cafes. The Synagogue of the United Hebrew Congregation is in nearby Shadwell. Roundhay is another of the city's most desirable residential areas, due in no short measure to the proximity of Roundhay Park.

City Centre

The fact that it is a pleasure to wander around the largely pedestrianised city centre is due to the Victorian town planners whose network of elegant arcades and formidable municipal buildings still affirm its position as a leading centre of commerce, culture and the arts. Leeds is probably the premier shopping centre of the north - the Corn Exchange and Victoria Quarter offer a rich variety of luxury and specialist shops that complement the city's traditional markets and modern high street shops and malls. The centre has welcomed a profusion of new cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs to meet the demand for increased amenities brought by the recent growth in the city's business communities. This is particularly apparent at Leeds Waterfront, where derelict canal-side buildings have been revamped or replaced by high-profile commercial development and heritage attractions - such as the innovative subterranean retail complex at Granary Wharf and the Royal Armouries Museum. Leeds is also a major centre of the arts, home not only to the Northern Ballet Theatre, Opera North, and The West Yorkshire Playhouse, but also the City Art Gallery and Henry Moore Institute.

Cross Gates, Halton and Seacroft

These areas east of the city centre are yet to benefit from the inspired regeneration programmes that have revived other areas of the city. The turn-of-the-century hospital at Seacroft stands out, but the Halton Moor housing estate cannot seem to shake off its negative associations and remains an infamous no-go area. However, nearby Temple Newsam is one of the region's foremost attractions, offering an historic stately home, museum and extensive public grounds set aside for popular concerts in the summer months.

Guiseley, Rawdon and Yeadon

This area is sufficiently remote from the city centre, (about 10 miles), to offer some charming countryside walks. However, it has to be said the main draws are probably Leeds Bradford Airport and the famous Harry Ramsden's restaurant.

Headingley

Familiar to followers of cricket and Rugby League alike, this bustling area is home to the famous Yorkshire CCC and Leeds Rhinos RLFC, neighbouring clubs which host international matches in their respective sports. Headingley is also the student centre of Leeds, many of its trademark red-brick terraces having been converted into flats and bedsits. As you might expect, it makes for a lively alternative to the city centre for a night out - the Skyrack and Original Oak pubs are among Leeds' best-loved drinking establishments.

Hyde Park and Woodhouse

Hyde Park and Woodhouse are the venues of too many conspicuously rundown student residences to be highly praised. However, Woodhouse Moor's proximity to the city's university campuses ensures it is a constantly well-populated public space - even when it's not hosting funfairs, circuses, beer festivals or other visiting attractions. The Hyde Park Picture House is justly famous throughout the region and is extremely popular with art house audiences all year round. Every October, it is placed under a wider spotlight, when it co-hosts the annual Leeds International Film Festival.

Kirkstall, Horsforth and Calverley

Although its 12th century Cistercian abbey is an historical site of national significance, Kirkstall has become the focus of more contemporary interests since the recent opening (at a discreet distance) of the Warner Village cinema and leisure complex. Further north lies Horsforth, a distinctive small town boasting its own university college, Trinity and All Saints, a museum, and a selection of popular pubs and restaurants. Calverley is on a much smaller scale—its proximity to the busy Leeds ring road is belied by the stunning views of the Airedale countryside visible from its traditional local sandstone houses.

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Adel, Bramhope and Otley

Leeds
United Kingdom

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by leafieldadel

Photo: leafieldadel

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Charles Mellor

Photo: Charles Mellor

Photo: D W S

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Tom Blackwell

Photo: Tom Blackwell

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Vic Wild

Photo: Vic Wild

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by sqwasher

Photo: sqwasher

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by kitchen915

Photo: kitchen915

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Stefan Wanner

Photo: Stefan Wanner

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Barry J Morgan

Photo: Barry J Morgan

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Dave Adams

Photo: Dave Adams

Adel, Bramhope and Otley photo by Christian Gallagher

Photo: Christian Gallagher

Armley and Pudsey

Leeds
United Kingdom
Although part of the Metropolitan City of Leeds since the mid-1970's, Pudsey has a proud history as a separate entitythe recipient of a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1900, which distinguished it from the metropolitan sprawls of Leeds and Bradford. Pudsey's Owlcoates Centre is an impressive retail park serving the entire area west of the city. Neighbouring Armley is probably best known for Armley Mills, a relic of Leeds' industrial past and once the world's largest woolen mill.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: katasta
Photo: katasta
Photo: Tommy Knott
Photo: jb303
Photo: David Lindsay
Photo: Fran Elliott
Photo: Alison Covey
Photo: goldsteam

Photo: Simon Stevenson

Beeston, Middleton and Morley

Leeds
United Kingdom
Once the industrial heartland of the city, harnessing the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation, this area to the south of the city mirrored the slow decline of commercial waterways from the 1920s. However, the presence of the Elland Road Stadium, home to Leeds United FC, has ensured that the area remains fixed in the city's consciousness. Enlightened regeneration has seen Thwaite Mills and the historic Middleton Railway become two of the city's leading tourist attractions. Morley has plenty in the way of shops and facilities. It is the location of the Leeds Exhibition Complex, but the White Rose Centre, Leeds' gargantuan and prodigiously popular out-of-town retail park, is the greatest pull for visitors to the area.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: JuanJ
Photo: Neil
Photo: phill.d
Photo: Warren Smith
Photo: Exit 23 Dany Carlyle
Photo: renewleeds
Photo: bigedgey
Photo: Don Tate

Burmantofts, Harehills and Osmondthorpe

Leeds
United Kingdom
Once famous for its unique pottery, Burmantofts is now best known for Jimmy's, otherwise known as St. James' University Hospital. It is one of the country's premier teaching hospitals. Next door is the award-winning Thackray Medical Museum, offering an unblinking view of Britain's social history. Osmondthorpe and Harehills are home to Asian and Irish communities. Harehills is the location of the city's impressive Grand Mosque whilst Osmondthorpe harbours the Irish Centre, a national concert venue for the performing arts.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Ian Grundy
Photo: Jason Wigglesworth
Photo: John Ford
Photo: Sam Hirst

Chapeltown, Moortown and Roundhay

Leeds
United Kingdom
These northern districts of the city are known for their multicultural communities and character. Chapeltown has found it hard to shake off negative connotations derived from its ramshackle appearance, but is famous for its annual West Indian carnival, a spectacle to rival the Notting Hill Carnival in London. Moortown is synonymous with its Jewish community and boasts a fine selection of specialist shops and cafes. The Synagogue of the United Hebrew Congregation is in nearby Shadwell. Roundhay is another of the city's most desirable residential areas, due in no short measure to the proximity of Roundhay Park.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: mart & gree
Photo: Julie Sherwin
Photo: Neil Thompson
Photo: Andy Bent
Photo: rnld328
Photo: Hannah Lewis
Photo: David Maxwell
Photo: Sean Tunnicliffe

Photo: Boothito
Photo: Defining Beauty
Photo: Ahmad Suhaimi Shamsuddin

City Centre

Leeds
United Kingdom
The fact that it is a pleasure to wander around the largely pedestrianised city centre is due to the Victorian town planners whose network of elegant arcades and formidable municipal buildings still affirm its position as a leading centre of commerce, culture and the arts. Leeds is probably the premier shopping centre of the north - the Corn Exchange and Victoria Quarter offer a rich variety of luxury and specialist shops that complement the city's traditional markets and modern high street shops and malls. The centre has welcomed a profusion of new cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs to meet the demand for increased amenities brought by the recent growth in the city's business communities. This is particularly apparent at Leeds Waterfront, where derelict canal-side buildings have been revamped or replaced by high-profile commercial development and heritage attractions.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: mart & gree
Photo: Will Palmer
Photo: jay dae-su vega
Photo: Thomas Legge
Photo: Peter Swallow
Photo: Kate Fife
Photo: CopyCat4
Photo: Alan Morey

Photo: Simona
Photo: triple778
Photo: Jules Li
Photo: Simon Small
Photo: wadawoodo
Photo: Father Fox
Photo: Kaci Archer

Guiseley, Rawdon and Yeadon

Leeds
United Kingdom
This area is sufficiently remote from the city centre, (about 10 miles), to offer some charming countryside walks. However, it has to be said the main draws are probably Leeds Bradford Airport and the famous Harry Ramsden's restaurant.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: D W S
Photo: badgerspank0007
Photo: PhilEAF92

Hyde Park and Woodhouse

Leeds
United Kingdom
Hyde Park and Woodhouse are the venues of too many conspicuously rundown student residences to be highly praised. However, Woodhouse Moor's proximity to the city's university campuses ensures it is a constantly well-populated public space - even when it's not hosting funfairs, circuses, beer festivals or other visiting attractions. The Hyde Park Picture House is justly famous throughout the region and is extremely popular with art house audiences all year round. Every October, it is placed under a wider spotlight, when it co-hosts the annual Leeds International Film Festival.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Patrick Toolan
Photo: Joe Shellard
Photo: Héctor Ratia Sánchez
Photo: simon.wakefield
Photo: John Kilpatrick
Photo: specialwastemanager
Photo: buggee
Photo: Sigh03

Photo: firegrind
Photo: Spyros Maliadis
Photo: Mad Hooks Roast
Photo: lucy knight
Photo: Iche Amadi
Photo: Fatema Abdulrahman
Photo: Mike Robinson

Kirkstall, Horsforth and Calverley

Leeds
United Kingdom
Although its 12th-century Cistercian abbey is an historical site of national significance, Kirkstall has become the focus of more contemporary interests since the recent opening (at a discreet distance) of the Warner Village cinema and leisure complex. Further north lies Horsforth, a distinctive small town boasting its own university college, Trinity and All Saints, a museum, and a selection of popular pubs and restaurants. Calverley is on a much smaller scaleits proximity to the busy Leeds ring road is belied by the stunning views of the Airedale countryside visible from its traditional local sandstone houses.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Russell James Smith
Photo: Russell James Smith
Photo: Monica Chia
Photo: Sharon Evans
Photo: Allie Whiteley
Photo: claireobr80
Photo: Alan Green
Photo: Mandeep Singh Lota

Photo: Tim Stringer
Photo: Warren D
Photo: mick_SGC
Photo: simon
Photo: Honourable Tyr
Photo: Joelle Nebbe-Mornod
Photo: Diane Becker
Photo: Si Wilson

Photo: Deborah Evans
Photo: Megan Gardiner
Photo: bltphoto
Photo: Ben Woodings
Photo: Zaffwan Idris
Photo: Gembledine