Leeds: A Whistlestop Tour

Leeds is a Victorian industrial city that has vigorously embraced the 20th and 21st centuries. We’ll explore a tiny part of the central area, as we did with the London branch of the family at half term.

We’ll start in a modern shopping centre..,

… and wander through the late Victorian covered market, stopping at one of the fish stalls.

The Corn Exchange was built at much the same time as the market, to trade corn. These days it’s the home of independent vendors selling to those looking to while away a pleasant hour or two finding something out of the mainstream.

We’ll wander down some older streets …

… then onto the newly developed banks of the River Aire. Industrial grot has been replaced by both student and up-market flats, and the featured photo shows the view of Leeds old and new. The Royal Armouries Museum was supposed to be our destination, but at half-term it was way too busy, so we didn’t stay long . Here’s a taster, showing that even horses and elephants can get togged up for war, and that swords never seem out of fashion.

Tired now. We’ll wander back along the Aire, spotting a couple of cormorants on the way. That means there must be fish to be had these days. It was a filthy river in the bad old days.

We’ll be back another day. I hardly recognise the city I called home until about twenty five years ago.

For Leanne’s Monochrome Madness

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

39 thoughts on “Leeds: A Whistlestop Tour”

  2. It’s much more peaceful along the canal, Margaret, although you are aware of development all around you. I have a love/hate relationship with the city but I do watch in admiration as it reinvents itself for the modern world.

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  4. Margaret, lovely black-and-white photos. They really take you back in time but the buildings are in the present steel and glass and open spaces. Leads is how far from your homebase? If memory serves Ripon is home. I am always confused when you travel because I wanna know how far and how you get there but my knowledge of your geography is so limited. I’m always learning and always curious. Stay well peace.

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    1. Right. Are you sitting comfortably? My Yorkshire journey as an adult started in Wakefield. We then moved 25 miles south, to Sheffield. Then 35 miles north to Leeds (bypassing Wakefield on the way!). Then 15 miles north to Harrogate. Then 12 miles north to Ripon (France comes into the mix there). Finally, miles north to North Stainley: a village, whereas all the others are cities. Yes, Leeds is a real mix of young and old structures. I’ll do some more visits in due course.

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  8. Don’t take offence, but your black and white photos are so much better now than your early days. Much crisper. Leeds was a favourite shopping place when I lived in Wakefield as it had department stores, and mum preferred it to hilly Sheffield. As a teenager I loved the boutiques and music events, though missed out on the Rolling Stones at the University. Haven’t been back since 1996 when I did some IT training for a law firm. I imagine it’s changed a lot since then.

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    1. Ah, so you know thee same bits of West (and South) Yorks as I do. Now my mum, who is of course much older than yours will have been I reckon, was as a child always taken to Bradford, as the shops were so much better tha those in Leeds. Things have changed round a bit! To be fair to Sheffield, the city centre where the shops are isn’t hilly! Your last contact with Leeds was much the same time as my own – we left in 1998 I think. HUGELY different. Thanks for your positive remarks on my monochrome shots. I agree. I have been enjoying mono, so have used it more, I guess

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    1. Ah yes. Being a ‘new’ country has lots going for it, especially as it’s not ‘new’ at all to those whose ancestors have lived there for centuries. But you do miss out on a built heritage.

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