Local Attractions in Kirkstall LS5 - Scenic Kirkstall

FSI is situated at the edge of Kirkstall, which gives us the opportunity to enjoy many of the pleasant surroundings, take advantage of the local shopping and indulge in the local bars and restaurants. Whether you fancy taking a stroll around the historic grounds of Kirkstall Abbey, visiting the Abbey Museum or taking a jaunt on the light railway, Kirkstall makes a great afternoon out, and is a wonderful place to unwind after work.

Find out about some of the attractions in Kirkstall, which make it such a great place to live and work.

Kirkstall Abbey - Historic Kirkstall (LS5)

Visit the ruins of this Twelfth-Century Cistercian Abbey, explore the cloisters and take a wander around the grounds. This is a rare opportunity to visit a peice of English heritage that is tranquil and undisturbed by hordes of tourists almost all year round. Its a great place to take the kids for a picnic during the summer months, or for a romantic afternoon down by the riverside.

The Abbey is home to the annual Kirkstall Shakespeare Festival with performances by the British Shakespeare Company in August and September.

Visit the British Shakespeare Company website

For more information visit the Kirkstall Abbey web page

Photographs of Kirkstall Abbey dating back to the Nineteenth Century can be found at the Francis Frith website. There is an early nineteenth-century painting of Kirkstall Abbey by Charlotte Bronte on view at the Bronte Museum in Haworth.

Kirkstall Abbey Museum/ Abbey House Museum (LS5)

Just over the road from Kirkstall Abbey is the Kirkstall Abbey Museum. For a very reasonably priced entrance fee, the museum offers small but interesting local history exhibits and a few from further afield aswell. One of the main attractions is a reproduction of late-nineteenth century Leeds streets replete with Victorian charm and featuring a number of period shops. There are also several collections to browse around, including a collection of toy and game exhibits.

Visit the Abbey House Museum web pages here

Abbey Light Railway - Steam Powered Kirkstall (LS5)

The light railway runs on most Sundays and bank holidays. Its not actually steam-powered but runs from an electric battery, and offers a novel way to get about between the shops and the Abbey grounds. For a nominal ticket price you can take the short, but leisurely train ride through the woods situated between the edge of the Abbey grounds and down on to Bridge Rd and back again. A little treat for the kids or a great way to get down to the supermarket for extra picnic supplies.

Have a look at the Wikipedia page on the light railway here

Watch the construction of Kirkstall Abbey Light Railway on uTube.

Reclaimed Railway Sleepers

Looking for railway sleepers for landscape gardening? The Stone and Sleeper Company provide reclaimed railway sleepers and new railway sleepers in a range of woods and grades.

Kirkstall Valley Park (LS5)

Action group for a proposed park in Kirkstall Valley on similar scale to Roundhay Park.
Kirkstall Valley Park action group website

Hawksworth Woods - Leafy Kirkstall (LS5)

Hawksworth Woods are one of Leeds' best kept secrets. Hidden away between Abbey Road and the edge of Horsforth, this is a tranquil place to walk, through pristine unspoilt woodland. The woods are almost grotto-like in places, with a lush canopy of greenery overhead throughout the summer, and even a picturesque babbling brooke, which makes the experience all the more magical.

This is a great place to get away from it all, and aside from the odd jogger or dog-walker, remarkably quiet. For public woodland, there is also surprisingly little fly-tipping or litter in evidence, and an abundance of small fury wildlife to enjoy.

Shopping in Kirkstall - Spendthrift Kirkstall (LS5)

Kirkstall offers a surprising choice of places to shop, away from the bustle of the city centre. Whether you are looking for somewhere to do your weekly supermarket shop, for a few major high-street stores such as Boots and British Home Stores, or looking for a more local shopping experience, Kirkstall probably has what you are looking for. Everything from home brewing, wedding dresses, designer kitchens and mobile phone shops to secondhand books and niche furniture are available, and all within a few minutes walk of each other.

Dining out in Kirkstall - Kirkstall Restaurants (LS5)

Kirkstall boasts a few really spendid little restaurants for eating out. Dos Amigos offers a friendly intimate atmosphere, and a great range of Tapas, while The Millrace organic restaurant specialises in locally produced organic food, served in stylish and relaxed surroundings. For a more traditional pub fayre, try the Sunday menu at the West End House. The food here is great value and rarely disappoints in our experience, unless you're on a diet that is.

Book a restaurant table in Kirkstall (LS5)

Dos Amigos Tapas Restaurant, 68-70 Abbey Road, Kirkstall Leeds LS5 3JG
Dos Amigos website
Tel: 0113 228 3737

West End House, 26 Abbey Rd, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3HS
Tel: 0113 278 6332

The Millrace Organic Restaurant, 2/4 Commercial Road, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3AQ
Millrace Organic Restaurant Website
Tel: 0113 275 7555
Email: enquiries@themillrace-organic.com

Not found what you were looking for?

Enter your search terms Submit search form

Back to top

    add to del.icio.us