Heritage Open Days are back for 2023 – and historic buildings across Armley, Bramley, Burley, Calverley, Farnley, Farsley, Kirkstall, Pudsey, Stanningley and Wortley are opening their doors for you to explore.
This year Leeds will play host to over 100 events, many embracing the festival’s theme ‘Routes, Networks and Connections’.
It’s your annual chance to see hidden places in their community and try out new experiences as part of Heritage Open Days, all of which are FREE to explore. Pre-booking is needed on some of the events, so follow the links for more information.
Here’s our round-up of West Leeds events:
Armley
St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley
Multiple dates available. Pre-booking not required
Visit our huge church, its tower and spire visible for miles, see our beautiful font, lectern, pulpit, Reredos, and our world-famous Schulze Organ. We also boast a comprehensive exhibition area. Details here.
Connecting the past to the present: Humphry Repton’s commission for Benjamin Gott.
The Mansion House, Gotts Park Golf Club
14 Sep 2024. Pre-booking required.
Humphry Repton was the leading landscape gardener of his generation; discover the legacy of his work at Armley for Benjamin Gott. Details here.
Leeds Industrial Museum – Free entry and HODs special events
Armley Mills, Canal Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2QF.
Multiple dates available Pre-booking not required.
Visit Leeds Industrial Museum for free on Friday 6, Saturday 7, and Sunday 8 September. Enjoy new exhibitions ‘Entangled’ and ‘Engineery’, and family friendly activities.
Mahogany to MDF – Aviary House, Armley – A survivor of 138 years of home improvement – Tour
2 Aviary Road, Armley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2NS
Multiple dates available. Pre-booking required.
Built in 1886, this Leeds red-brick end terrace house retains a surprising number of original features. Visitors will get a glimpse of how this wedge-shaped house was originally decorated, and how it has survived subsequent attempts at modernisation. Details here.
Bramley
Once Upon a Time at Bramley Baths
Bramley Baths, Broad Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 3DF.
7 September. Pre-booking required
If this pool could talk…..what stories would it tell? Olympic medallists, Hollywood swimming costumes, legendary dances, Finding Nemo, and being saved by people power. Hear the stories of Bramley Baths brought to life by professional storytellers. Details here.
Bramley – the village that disappeared
Bramley Trinity Methodist Church, Upper Town Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS13 2ER
7 Sep 2024. Pre-booking not required.
An archive display of over 400 photographs and 50 maps of old Bramley organised by Bramley History Society. Details here.
Farnley
Leeds and the railway age
The Lancasterian School Room, Low Moorside Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 5HY
12 Sep 2024. Pre-booking not required.
Former Leeds West MP Michael Meadowcroft returns to the historic Lancasterian School Room in New Farnley with another talk for Heritage Open Days. Details here.
Farsley
Sunny Bank Mills – Cloth Connections from Farsley to Guatemala! A journey around the world through our fascinating heritage site.
Sunny Bank Mills, 83-85 Town Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ
Multiple dates available. Pre-booking preferred
Explore these atmospheric mills, which produced some of the finest cloth in the world, on a free heritage tour. Visit the new Gallery exhibition, our artists’ Open Studios, Sculpture Trail & Family Trail before enjoying refreshments in the tearoom. Details here.
Farsley Rehoboth Burial Ground Tours
9 Coal Hill Lane, Farsley, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 5NA
15 Sep 2024. Pre-booking required.
You are invited to tour a 200 year old burial ground that for years was neglected and untended. It is now being reclaimed as a community asset sharing its history, war graves, nature and ecology. Details here.
Kirkstall
The long and winding road to Kirkstall Abbey
Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3EH
6 Sep 2024. Pre-booking required
Kirkstall Abbey is one of the country’s finest and best preserved Cistercian monastic ruins. This illustrated talk will explore the historical events leading up to its foundation. Details here.
Rhubarb Routes
Hollybush Conservation Centre, Broad Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3BP
15 Sep 2024. Pre-booking not required.
Learn more about the paths and waterways that helped Victorian Gentleman farmer Joseph Whitwell become the largest forced rhubarb producer in the world, at Hollybush Farm. Details here.
Pudsey
Here, There and Everywhere
Fulneck Moravian Church, Fulneck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 8NT
14 Sep 2024. Book on day.
How a small community in Pudsey developed global connections. Details here.
Pudsey Masonic Hall
48 Church Lane, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 7RF
7 Sep 2024. Pre-booking not required
Discover Pudsey Masonic Hall – a hidden gem in the town. Details here.
Pudsey Parish Church open weekend
Pudsey Parish Church, Church Lane, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 8BE
Multiple dates available. Book on day
Pudsey Parish Church is a beautiful Grade II listed building which is celebrating its Bicentenary this year. Set in treelined grounds, on the edge of Pudsey Park, come along and explore this inviting and impressive church and learn about its history. Details here.
Pudsey Town Hall – Civic Floor access
Pudsey Town Hall, Pudsey, West Yorkshire, LS28 7BL
8 Sep 2024. Pre-booking preferred.
A rare opportunity to visit the civic floor of Pudsey Town Hall. The floor contains the historic council chamber and Ann Hickinson meeting room along with historical artifacts and information on the building of the town hall. Details here.
Check out our what’s on section for more events from across West Leeds.
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