Pudlee one

Verified Slow Way

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The route is widely varied, taking the walker along a shady canal in Leeds, where it's great to chat to people fishing or walking - an insight into a slower way of travelling. We had delicious ice-cream and tea from a canal side vendor, who was happy to chat with us. Then into Armley, with echoes of our industrial past. The ways through ginnels in housing estates are really pretty in summer with wild flowers, though litter is sadly in evidence. We encountered small play parks, hidden cemeteries and a reservoir - which even while I am a Leeds resident, I had never visited before. Through Swinnow and some steep hills, but always interesting to peek into peoples' gardens. It was good to hit Pudsey where we found Rains Cafe still open at 4.30 and the Turkish proprietor kindly kept the cafe open to give us hot drinks and to use the facilities. It's well worth a visit for his collection of teapots and other memorabilia. If you had needed to get back to Leeds by public transport, the bus station was easily found.

Walked Leeds-Pudsey. The early part of this walk is along the tow path - interesting industrial landscape mixed with canal side wildlife. Many cyclists and joggers - it’s pretty busy but civilised in pace. We found a van selling coffee by the canal and there’s the Industrial Museum (pictured) with a nice garden and loos.
After this is a long uphill pavement section - a bit of a slog but Pudsey is pretty on arrival. Points of interest - the Dressing Baths garden which was stunning in flower and Rain Turkish café where the owner is lovely and has a big cake selection and teapot collection!
This route is mostly accessible for cyclists - there are a few steps.
There is one road crossing - pictured - which requires caution but is safe with due care.

I would walk it again, and suggest it to others. The tow path was very pretty with joggers and there was an industrial museum along the way, which was laid back and interesting, a good loo stop too.
I thought it was reasonably accurate. I wasn’t aware of any access issues.
We had a coffee at a Turkish cafe at Pudsey, and the proprietor let us charge our phones there.

Walked Leeds to Pudsey.

The first 40% is terrific - canal and woodland, off road. I really enjoyed this section (see arty pix). There were plenty of cyclists on the towpath, mostly they ‘tinged’ their bell in a civilised manner when approaching from behind.

Alongside the canal the route passes the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. This is one of my favourite museums, and well worth a visit - the mills were part of the woollen industry, there is an in-depth display about the industry, and in addition an Aladdin’s cave of mechanical and social interest.

Between Stanningley Road and Farnley Ring Road (MacDonalds - reliable and welcome refreshments and toilets) is an ‘up and over’ (i.e its up a hill and then down again!) through residential streets, with some off road footpaths. Mostly terraces and tower blocks - I like this sort of urban walking where there is a mix of environments. There’s a small reservoir but it was hidden from the path by trees.

After MacDonalds I found the route more frustrating. It’s a long steady climb up to Pudsey, all on pavement alongside mostly residential roads, but there was persistent traffic accompanying. The frustration is from seeing so much off road green space, woodland, but not routing through it.
Looking at the maps, I suspect there isn’t an easy solution, and very possibly this is the best compromise of directness, avoiding more up and down than necessary, and quieter roads.

So that works out at 4 stars!

Route is accurately drawn.
Steps, some steepish climbs, good mid way refreshments. Plenty of buses for dropping out too. I had no road crossing issues. Good meeting point at Pudsey bus station.

Heading downhill from Pudsey, you can see some of the tall buildings of your destination. The route follows quiet suburban roads for more than half its length. However there are some nice sections such as the view across the valley at Hough Side, and walking round the reservoir, although the path here is very bumpy due to tree roots lifting the tarmac. There are some steep climbs too, including stairs.
Soon after going over the railway bridge, you need to cross the A647 busy dual carriageway. This is difficult, but there is a safe break between the carriageways. The good news is it appears that a pelican crossing is being built, hooray!
From here, the route immediately improves, passing along a wooded and surfaced path through Gotts Park and the golf club to reach the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath, which makes up about 40% of the journey. It runs alongside the River Aire, and soon passes Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, with access directly from the towpath. This is open every day except Monday, and has a lovely garden picnic area, but no café. There is a fee to view the museum, but they kindly allowed me to use the toilets without charging me.
It was a sunny Sunday as I walked the canal, and lots of others were out walking and cycling. There were ice cream vans! The approach into the city centre has the usual range of tall buildings and graffiti.
Just before the canal goes under the railway, the route leaves it to cross the River Aire which it follows until the river dives down weirs and under Leeds Station. Pedestrians need to ascend a flight of stairs to head towards the City Square and end of the route.

A decent route between Leeds City Centre and Pudsey. The western half of the route is mostly on urban residential roads in Pudsey, Farnley and Armley, which is very direct even if not very exciting. Crossing Stanningley bypass at the suggested point isn't the most fun, so it might be worth taking a 500m detour to cross at the lights. The eastern half is a pleasant walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath between Aire Valley Marina and Leeds Station.

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