Our original walking tour – ‘Leeds city centre and the cradle of industry‘ – begins in the shadow of the Black Prince in City Square, Leeds, and follows a meandering route taking in some local landmarks, and a few drinks along the way. There are some stories from local history: industrial spies, ambitious factory owners, urban decay and regeneration – and the shameful auction, a little more than 100 years ago, in which young men were literally sold to the highest bidder.
Our second route – the ‘University of Leeds Campus Tour’ – begins on the Parkinson Steps, beneath the famous portland stone Parkinson Tower of the University of Leeds. This tour will reveal some remarkable campus stories: controversial artworks, campaigners and philanthropists, the astonishing Brotherton Library, the original Victorian buildings of the red-brick university – and the ambitious architectural plans which once threatened to smother the whole site in brutalist concrete. Oh, and there will still be the pub stops, of course!
Our third and newest tour – ‘The History of Briggate‘ – begins at the Tetley in Hunslet and then traces the history of Briggate, one of Leeds oldest streets – as well as having one or two interesting diversions along the way. The tour ends at North Bar, where co-owner John Gyngell will entertain us with the story of a pioneering bar which changed the face of drinking in the whole city.
And in June 2025, we were joined by renowned local historian and geographer Rachael Unsworth for a special two-part tour ‘Drinking in the History’ – Brewers, boozers and the Band of Hope, which we hope to repeat again in the future.
Click for more details and online booking:
Saturday February 14th, 12 noon – Leeds city centre and industrial heritage history tour
Sunday February 22nd, 1pm – University of Leeds campus history tour
Sunday March 1st, 12 noon – Leeds city centre and industrial heritage history tour
Sunday March 15th, 1pm – University of Leeds campus history tour
Sunday March 29th, 12 noon – Tetley to North Bar – a history tour of Briggate
Thursday April 30th, 5.30pm – Leeds city centre and industrial heritage history tour
Saturday May 30th, 12 noon – Tetley to North Bar – a history tour of Briggate
The walks will take in the region of three hours including four pub stops, and require a basic fitness level. Please note that all attendees must be at least 18 years of age.
Great beer, good company, hopefully fine weather, and some fascinating snippets of local history – what’s not to like?
Tickets, priced £20, are strictly limited, so please book online, but we will accept payment on the day, if places are still available. The cost does not include beer – participants are free to choose their drinks at each of our pub stops.
Throughout the session, Simon will be on hand to answer your questions and sign copies of his books which can be purchased on the day.
