Near Leeds Accommodation

Middleton Railway Leeds, Railway Museum & Shop on-site

UK Heritage Steam Railways - Moor Road to Park Halt

Wetherby Racecourse, Middleton Railway, Otley, Wetherby Leeds, West Yorkshire

Around Leeds you'll discover a host of attractions including charming market town Otley, birthplace of Thomas Chippendale, to the north of Leeds and Wetherby to the north east, home to the popular Wetherby Racecourse. A selection of Yorkshire Stately Homes surround Leeds including one of the UK's finest - Harewood House as well as the Temple Newsam Estate and Edwardian country home Lotherrton Hall Estate & Park. Just to the north of Leeds City Centre the 700 acre Roundhay Park is a family day out in itself, with lakes, parkland, a castle folly, woodlands, floral gardens and the popular family attraction Tropical World. Closer to the city centre the Headingly area to the north west offers easy access into the city and is home to its own selection of attractions including the independent art house cinema mecca - the Hyde Park Picture House Cinema.

Established by an Act of Parliament in 1758, the Middleton Railway can claim to be the oldest working Railway in the world. This historic standard gauge Leeds Railway is a superb family steam railway attraction, and a must for British Heritage Railway enthusiasts. Find Middleton Heritage Railway just south of Leeds.

Middleton Railway Leeds, Steam Railway Holidays in the UK

The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd has formidable claims to fame. It is the direct descendant of a wagon-way which was constructed between Middleton and Casson Close, near Leeds Bridge. Having been established by an Act of Parliament in 1758, the Middleton Railway can claim to be the oldest working Railway in the world. This historic standard gauge Leeds Railway is a superb family steam railway attraction, and a must for British Heritage Railway enthusiasts. As well as operating a steam railway passenger service over 1 mile of track between Hunslet and Park Halt, the on-site museum houses an impressive collection of historic Leeds steam and diesel locomotives (see the Middleton Railway rolling stock lists on the website linked right). Find the Middleton Railway on the outskirts of Middleton Park south of Leeds. This historic railway played host to the first revenue earning steam locomotives as distinct from experimental operations, which entered service in June, 1812.

This first commercially successful steam locomotive emerged from the Round Foundry in the Holbeck area of Leeds built by the engineer Matthew Murray, incorporating the rack and pinion design of John Blenkinsop. This historic locomotive was the first of four such machines to work on the Middleton Colliery Railway.

Other examples worked at Orrell Colliery in Lancashire and the Kenton & Coxlodge Railway in Tyneside. The design was a very early example of modular construction, it being supplied with differing boilers and to different gauges. It was also exported to both Belgium and Germany, the very first locomotive export orders from the City of Leeds. More recently Middleton Heritage Railway became the first standard gauge railway to be taken over by a preservation society in 1960.

The historic steam railway journey from Moor Road to Park Halt takes around 20 minutes. Visit the new on-site Engine House, with facilities including shop, cafe, toilets and baby changing, and a first floor Lecture/Function room, all of which are fully accessible to those with disabilities. The Railways Engine House will house the collection of Leeds built locomotives, representing all the major locomotive builders of the City, spanning a period of almost two hundred years. Steam and diesel train rides are available most weekends. The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd, Moor Road, Leeds LS10 2JQ. Tel International. 00 44 113 271 0320. (UK. 0113 271 0320). See the Middleton Railway weblink right for train timetable, locations and special events which run throughout the year. Moor Road Station in Hunslet is just around 2 miles south of Leeds city centre, directly near Junction 5 of the M621.

Around Leeds - Otley Market Town

Historic market town Otley in the Lower Wharfedale area is a mere 10 miles from Yorkshire's largest city Leeds, with easy access to Harrogate to the north.

Retaining its market town roots, Otley is famous for its markets with a street market three times weekley, a monthly farmers market and the famous annual Spring Otley Agricultural Show usually on the Saturday prior to Spring Bank holiday in May. (see the Otley Show's webguide right for forthcoming events).

The River Wharfe runs through the heart of Otley adding further to this Wharfedale market town's charm. Charming country pubs you're certainly not short of in Otley alongside specialist shops and a choice of accommodation. Otley celebrates numerous events though the year with a fine selection of festivals on offer including a Folk Festival, Beer Festival and the Otley Agricultural Show. Famous names associated with Otley include painter JW Turner who visited the town in his early 20s, painting locally. Otley is also thought to be the birthplace of furniture notable Thomas Chippendale. Walkers and orienteering fans will do well to head to nearby Chevin Forest Park situated immediately to the south of Otley.

Otley library and tourist information centre, Nelson Street, Otley, LS21 1EZ. Tel. 01943 462485. Open Mon 10am-7pm, Tues -Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 11am-3pm, bank holidays open 11am-3pm

Wetherby Tourist Guide & Wetherby Racecourse

North of Leeds historic market town Wetherby is renowned for its horse racing history - the Romans raced Arab horses in the area. Wetherby Racecourse is one of the UK's leading jumping tracks with a heritage in steeple-chasing. Read more via the Wetherby Racecourse webguide link right. Here you'll also find full listings of race fixtures including family racedays and Ladies' Evenings. Today the course offers modern conference facilities on-site and is beautifully set within 300 acres of park and farmland.

The town of Wetherby is boosted by the River Wharfe and Wetherby like Ilkley has the attractive distinctive stone bridge straddling the river. Around Wetherby's pretty town square discover a host of tearooms and specialist craft shops. The town has a historic trail (call in at the Wetherby tourist information centre for details) and riverside walks are a popular attraction.

Wetherby library and tourist information centre, 17 Westgate, Wetherby, LS22 6LL. Tel. 0193 758 2151. Open Monday 10.00 - 19.00, Tuesday 09.00 - 18.00, Wednesday 09.00 - 18.00, Thursday 09.00 - 19.00, Friday 10.00 - 18.00, Saturday 09.00 - 16.00. Closed Sunday.

Wetherby Racecourse, York Road, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS22 5EJ. Tel. (01937) 582 035.

Click Search

Tourist Information

iKnow-Yorkshire Links

Internet Links

Home Top