'''Headingley''' is a suburb of North West Leeds. World famous for its Cricket and Rugby stadium, it is also especially popular with students of both Leeds Universities. Headingley has a host of restaurants, bars and shops and is well worth visiting to see the famous stadium, eat a lovely meal then go relax in one of the beer gardens or bars nearby. Far Headingley, a mile or so further out of town is villagey Far Headingley, home to '''Cottage Road Cinema''' and a small range of shops and pubs. At the other end is Hyde Park Corner which has a funky, bohemian vibe and several retro/vintage shops, boutiques and cafes.
Get in
Jump on a train or bus from Leeds, there is a 1, 28, 95, 96 or 97 bus every few minutes and Headingley has its own train station. The bus journey takes less than 10 minutes either way, though in rush hour buses can take up to 40 minutes. The station is a short walk from Headingley centre but the train journey is very short (under 10mins).
Get around
Most things in Headingley are walkable - unless it is pouring with rain then buses/taxis are available along the main A660 road.
See
World famous '''Headingley Carnegie Stadium''' is a must for Cricket and Rugby (both codes - League and Union) fans. Quite unique in serving both sports - a 'siamese' stadium. The annual Test match is a highlight of Leeds' sporting calendar.
Though there are few specific 'sights' in the area, the old cottages and shops of the Far Headingley conservation area are very pretty (especially Cottage Road), as are the leafy streets and Victorian terraces and villas to the north further up the Otley Road. There is an old Victorian 'folly' in Queenswood (behind Leeds Metropolitan University) built to celebrate the visit of Queen Victoria to Leeds in 1858.
Another odditiy is The Bear Pit on Cardigan Road. This is the last vestiges of Leeds Zoological and Botanical Gardens, an unsuccessful Victorian business. Built in 1840, bears were displayed in a circular pit with the public viewing them from the castelated turrets.
Do
Go watch a [http://www.leedsrugby.com Rugby] or [http://www.yorkshireccc.org Cricket] match - if there's one on it's a must!
Go for a nice meal or go for a few drinks (see below) in one of Headingley's many pubs and bars.
Take a walk up to the beautiful Victorian Headingley campus of Leeds Metropolitan University or onto Weetwood via the Meanwood Valley Trail into the extensive gardens of the ''''Hollies'''' arboretrum (about 15 mins walk from the centre of Headingley).
A short Otley Run (or Headingley Mile) pub crawl (more below) is certainly a good way to acquaint yourself with the various watering holes on and around the Otley Road.
Buy
Headingley has plenty of small shops, including the [http://www.leedsrugby.com Gift Shop] at the stadium, as well as a range of boutiques and charity shops. Oxfam usually have a good selection of books and records.
'''Ginger Ink''' and '''Hangeroom''' are the best fashion boutiques in the area and cater for all ages. The shops are cool, the clothes are great and the staff are fantastic. They also have a website [http://www.gingerink.co.uk Ginger Ink]
The original and largest branch of stylish jewellery store [http://www.azendi.com/site/index.php Azendi] is in the centre of Headingley
There is now a monthly farmer's market in the Rose Garden on North Lane. This takes place on the second Saturday of each month.
Eat
'''Bryan's''' - famous traditional fish and chip restaurant/shop dating from 1934
'''Brett's''' - another famous traditional fish and chip restaurant/shop
'''Enjay's Creperie''' - high quality crepes, drinks and food
'''Sala Thai''' - longstanding Thai restaurant in a grand villa
'''Sukhothai''' - sister to similarly-named Thai restaurant in nearby Chapel Allerton
'''Jino's Thai Cafe''' - relaxed bring-your-own drink Thai restaurant and takeaway
'''Thai Sabai''' - yet another(!) pleasant Thai restaurant
'''Salvo's''' - always busy Italian restaurant, deli and Salumeria
'''Citrus''' is another local favourite with inexpensive prices and a vibrant atmosphere
'''Caliente Cafe''' is a great little Mexican restaurant
'''Dare Cafe''' is a stylish, urbane and inexpensive cafe-restaurant-bar with a range of decent food.
Lilliputs. 7 North Lane. fresh sandwiches made to order, Illy coffee, great selection of cakes and cookies, stylish surroundings and great value for money.
Drink
Headingley is famous not just city-wide but internationally for student drinking though local residents still manage to find the odd oasis to enjoy a pint or two. There are a wide variety of drinking establishments (of varying quality) to keep even the most seasoned of drinkers happy. Unfortunately, with the sheer popularity of recreational drinking in Headingley, it does mean the village and its community does suffer at times.
Headingley is home to the famous '''Otley Run''' pub crawl (also known as The Headingly Mile). For those undertaking the Otley Run (student or otherwise), it is almost compulsory to adopt some kind of theme to mark the occasion so it is usually very easy to spot those taking on the challenge. In recent years it has become the fashion to adopt fancy dress, though themed headgear, a marked out stag/hen or a three-legged crawl may also be the order of the day. Some Otley Runs may be relaxed affairs, though Pub Golf, pint in each pub or drink a particular beer dry rules may be used to gain momentum. Some groups may even be in competition to complete the Run in the shortest time possible. The true length and scope of an Otley Run is hotly debated, though runs often begin at Woodies in Far Headingley and may continue all the way to the Dry Dock or Met Bar in the City Centre.
'''The Original Oak''' (known as ''The Oak'') with its former bowling green beer garden (brilliant but overcrowded in summer)is a Headingley institution with a lively (but more traditional) atmosphere. You may have to queue to get in at weekends but The Oak is always good fun, drawing a younger crowd upstairs and a more mature crowd at the downstairs bar.
Other major Headingley pubs include '''The Skyrack,''' '''Headingley Taps,''' and at Far Headingley '''The Three Horseshoes,''' (AKA ''The Shoes'') '''Woodies''' and '''The New Inn.'''
'''Arcadia''' in the Arndale Centre boats an impressive range of delectable drinks and ever-changing real ales. The bar attracts a a more mature and sometimes cerebral crowd looking to enjoy conversation or a quiet pint away from the revelry on offer elsewhere in Headingley. NB - to preserve the peaceful atmosphere large groups in fancy dress are not made welcome.
'''Luvjuice''' on North Lane is not a bar ''per se'' (not licensed) but the smoothies are just so good it deserves a mention.
'''Dare Cafe''' has a small atmospheric basement bar.
At Hyde Park Corner (a couple of miles from the middle of Headingley towards central Leeds), '''The Hyde Park''' is a big, fun pub.
'''The Box''' is one of Headingley's biggest bars, full of young people on the weekend (and most of the week to be honest), has a multitude of screens to watch televised sport though the sport theme is often lost on a lot of the clientele. '''The Arc''' and '''Trio''' (both on North Lane) are similar bars with the latter having a floor devoted to food. There are great cocktail bars upstairs at both.
. .
Luvjuice. 9 north lane. pposite onestop. 113 275 8793. ww.iluvjuice.co.uk. Tasty vegan and vegetarian food and drink. Super healthy and great tasting.
Sleep
Headingley stadium features a hotel, which is reasonably priced and has views across the cricket pitch - [http://www.leedsrugby.com Headingley Lodge Hotel].
Leeds has many hotels within easy reach of Headingley, but there are also a number of B&Bs of varying quality along Cardigan Road (by the Cricket Ground) and the larger, award-winning [http://www.haleys.co.uk/ Haley's Hotel and Restaurant] on Shire Oak Road.
Get out
Back on the bus, in the taxi or on the train to Leeds city centre.
It is a nice walk on a sunny day back into Leeds. Just follow the main road and road signs. You will walk through Hyde Park. Whilst it's wise to be cautious, as in any large city, this area's reputation for muggings is massively overstated so don't allow it to overshadow your enjoyment of a very pretty green space so close to the city centre.