West Leeds: 10 heritage events you must see this weekend

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Fancy seeing some West Leeds heritage this weekend?

Heritage Open Days, the historical festival now in its 22nd year, throws open the doors to historic buildings and particularly those that are normally closed to the public.

Amongst the 106 events taking place in Leeds until Sunday 11 September, we have listed the ten events happening in West Leeds, including events in Armley, Farnley, Farsley, Kirkstall and Wortley.

You can get details of all the events in Leeds at the Heritage Open Days website.

alan bennett armley library visit
Alan Bennett recently visited Armley Library. Photo: Leeds Libraries

1. Armley Library Heritage Building Tour

Enjoy this special opportunity to have a guided tour of the oldest purpose-built library in Leeds followed by a walk around Armley taking in many of the most significant buildings in the area. Also features collection of Alan Bennett memorabilia. The event runs on Saturday at 10.30am and 12.30pm – booking required.

Castleton Mill
Castleton Mill

2. Around and on the canal

Explore the heritage of this canal by boat during the bi-centenary of its completion and see the city from a completely different perspective. Event is held at Castleton Mill, a Grade II listed building on Armley Road built in 1838. Tours take place on Saturday between 11am and 4pm.

western flatts park wortley
Western Flatts Park, Wortley. Photo: Wortley Local History Group

3. Wortley Local History Group

Extensive archives of Wortley available to view, including items of interest, photographs and a special feature of Oldfield Lane. There will also be a film show. Runs Saturday, 10am-4pm at Whingate Methodist Church.

4. Farnley Hall Open Day

Guided tour of Farnley Hall Park and ancillary buildings on Saturday. Various times – details here.

5. Friends of St John’s, Farsley, Heritage Day

Illustrated history of Farsley and its people, including its development as a textile and wool centre and the church’s role in the village. Demonstration of spinning wool, demonstration of stained glass work, World War II memorabilia and organ recitals. 9am-4pm on Saturday at St John’s Church, New Street, Farsley.

6. Gotts Park Mansion

Gotts Park Mansion was the home of Benjamin Gott, owner of Armley Mills and a leading figure in the Industrial Revolution. Tours around mansion house on Satuirday – booking required.

kirkstall festival 2016 abbey
Kirkstall Abbey played host to Kirkstall Festival. Photo: West Leeds Dispatch

7. Kirkstall Abbey guided tour

Explore daily life at one of the best surviving Cistercian abbeys in the county through our guided tour today, Saturday and Sunday. Booking details here.

8. Leeds Industrial Museum, Armley

Tours and talks at different times on Saturday and Sunday. More details here.

Photo: Used under Wikemedia Creative Commons license by Tim Green aka atoac
Photo: Used under Wikemedia Creative Commons license by Tim Green

9. St Bartholomew’s Church

Grade II* listed building of Victorian splendour in Armley, completed in 1877. Huge edifice. Restored in 2001 with Heritage Lottery grant. Open Saturday and Sunday.

10. Sunny Bank Mills & Archive, Farsley

The unique collection at Sunny Bank Mills Archive will be open, containing a complete record of cloth samples woven at the mill since the 1880s. Open today, Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm, regular tours.



1 COMMENT

  1. These days are great opportunity to go inside buildings you might not otherwise.
    St. Barthomlews impressive though formidable on our skyline, is stunning inside, particularly on a sunny day with sun streaming through stained glass window.
    Church organ is particularly stunning in dimension.

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