Adel, Bramhope and Otley
The northern outskirts of the city have escaped the ravages of Victorian
over-development and yield Adel and Bramhope - villages that can now boast
some of the city's most salubrious 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-1970s,
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 on either side. 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 woollen
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 in the use of commercial waterways from the
1920s. However, the presence of the Elland Road stadium in Beeston - 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 distinctive 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. 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 multi-cultural
communities and character. Chapeltown has found it hard to shake off
negative connotations derived from its ramshackle appearance but it 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 cafés. 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 in no small part 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 cafés, 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 The West Yorkshire Playhouse, but also the
neighbouring 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 has failed 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 high-profile 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 distinctive
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 redbrick 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 run-down
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 arthouse 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 marks 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 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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