The wheel deal

No worries, getting to Kirkstall, to the unis and Leeds centre is easy-peasy.

Kirkstall Forge Train Station – to Leeds centre

Confusingly, Headingley Station is in Kirkstall – someone should tell them

Buses: 33, 33a, 34, 508, 757

M621, M62, M1, A1M, A64M – all easily accessed

Handy for Leeds Bradford airport

Shop to it

All the regular daily and mainstream things catered for, and big name stores line up at the retail park. Explore a little further and you’ll find plenty of independents too.

Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park – JD, Puregym, Tanning Shop, Trespass, Home Bargains, M&S Food, Holland & Barrett, Costa

Matalan

Morrisons

SpecSavers

Halfords

Carphone Warehouse

Let’s do this

Kirkstall Abbey’s the big attraction, next to the River Aire. It’s a beautiful ruined abbey space to chill in, and there are some pretty cool events held there too.

Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve – natural oasis

Vue Cinema – slightly further down the road

Kirkstall Leisure Centre – swimming, squash and a mixed use sports hall

Blueberry Hill Studios – if you have a band, here’s where you practice

Riverside walks – and you can run/walk/cycle into the city on the canal towpath

St Stephen’s Churchyard – Gothicky kind of peaceful/spooky vibe

Goals – 5-a-side footie

Kirkstall Festival – 8 performance areas, comedy, rock, classical, jazz and folk sets

Abbey House Museum – check the history, and ghostly occurrences, like the piano playing by itself…

Pubs, bars and eateries

The New George – lively pub with fortnightly open mic on Wednesdays

Kirkstall Bridge Inn – independent community pub, fab roast dinners

West End House – villagey kind of pub, good food and ales

Number 55 – mega tasty vegan fast food

Gallery 41 – classic Italian dishes

Dos Amigos – relaxed tapas bar

Kirkstall Fisheries – proper fried in lard Yorkshire fish & chips