Visitors taking in the delights of Leeds as part of the Tour de France this week will also have the opportunity to discover more about the city in a fantastic new heritage trail.
In what promises to be an exciting experience, people will be able to learn as part of the Leeds Industrial Trail, more about a host of impressive city buildings. These will include the imposing Leeds Town Hall and the Corn Exchange, along with cultural and famous attractions such as Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds Central Library, Leeds Grand Theatre and the City Varieties Music Hall. Also showcased as part of the trail, will be the industrialists, architects, philanthropists and engineers who left an indelible mark on the fabric of the city from the 12th to the 19th century.
Leeds was one of the United Kingdom’s industrial powerhouses in the Victorian era, and the story of the beginnings of the wool trade at Kirkstall Abbey, water power at Thwaite Mills Watermill and the importance of the railways and waterways network will be revealed. The splendour of iconic locations such as the Leeds Bridge and Leeds Kirkgate Market are also included on the map, and as Tour de France excitement reaches fever pitch, why not cycle along the tow path of the canal from the beginning of the trail at Kirkstall Abbey to see the watermill at Thwaite Mills.
The Industrial Heritage trail is the latest of a series of ‘Walkit’ trails and maps developed by Leeds City Council. The series includes the official map of Leeds city centre, the M&S Heritage trail, the Potts Clocks trail, and many more. The Walkit initiative is designed to encourage people to walk in and around Leeds city centre and it also includes a network of on-street signs.
Launched this week, a copy of the trail can be picked up at the following locations: The Visitor Centre, Armley Mills, Thwaite Mills, Abbey House, the central library and city museum, and Kirkgate Market. A Leeds Heritage Trail phone app can also be downloaded a www.yourtrailsapp.co.uk/leeds
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills said:
“With many visitors arriving in Leeds this week for the start of the Grand Départ, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to launch a new heritage trail celebrating the fantastic history of our city and those people who helped make it what it is today.
“There really is to plenty to see and do and we are delighted to say that not only are copies of the heritage trail available at many locations across the city, there is also the chance to download a new app which also details all of the information.”
