A Walking Tour of Georgian Leeds led by Christopher Webster

Date: Saturday 7 October 2023.

Time: the event begins at 10.30 am.

Transport: Those attending the event should make their own way to Leeds Station. Between 9.10 and 9.45, there are 7 trains from York, all of which will reach Leeds well before 10.30.

Meet at: Leeds Railway Station at 10.30 am, outside Boots in the station concourse.

Cost: £5.00. Tickets can be ordered at https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/event/walking-tour-leeds

We rightly think of Leeds as a great Victorian city, but significant parts of the Georgian town remain. With the survival of several commercial structures, it provides an engaging contrast to genteel Georgian York and there is much to be seen and enjoyed.

This walking tour – conducted at a gentle pace – will begin with coffee at the Leeds Library, erected in 1808 and now the oldest surviving subscription library in the country. It should be possible to see some of the Georgian treasures of its collection including books of Piranesi prints and the Antiquities of Athens series. We will then move on to see the nearby Holy Trinity church, erected 1722-7 to the design of William Etty. We will also visit the recently ‘rediscovered’ and restored First White Cloth Hall (1711), the Third White Cloth Hall of 1776-7 and former Assembly Rooms (1770s). The route will pass a number of Georgian houses and other buildings.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the extensive Park residential development of middle-class housing (from the 1770s) – most of which survives – on the once leafy western side of the town, but close to the railway station for the journey home.

There will be suitable a lunch-break and food of all types can easily be found among the numerous catering establishments in Leeds.

Members are invited to bring guests, but numbers will be limited. Early application is advised.

To book places, please head to https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/event/walking-tour-leeds

If you have any questions, please contacted Christopher, preferably by email: christopher.webster1@outlook.com

Or telephone him on 0113 3935165. He is happy to provide answer to any questions you might have.