Leeds: the perfect green travel city break

Struggling to choose between a culture-packed city break and an idyllic escape in the country? Side-step making that impossible decision by heading to Leeds. With a rep for being the foodie capital of the north, and a unique city of culture, Leeds also happens to be the perfect portal for exploring incomparable rural landscapes (say hello to the Yorkshire Dales, Ilkley Moor), while enabling you to put your sustainable travel goals into practice. Intrigued? Read on to find out why Leeds is the perfect green travel city break.

Get to Leeds with sustainable ease

First up, Leeds’ location and accessibility will have you going greener before you even set foot in the city.

Yep, that’s right. Located 200 miles south of Edinburgh, and 200 miles north of London, with Hull and Manchester just under 50 miles to the east and west respectively, Leeds sits pretty much at the centre of the UK, and is easily accessible by public transport.

Three hours by train from Edinburgh, and just over two hours from London, frequent train services also run to Leeds from cities to the north, south, east and west. For example, Manchester — Leeds takes a mere 40-minutes, while Liverpool — Leeds takes less than two hours.

Add to that regular local bus and rail services to attractions across West Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Yorkshire Moors, and exploring the wider region is also a breeze. 

All of which means getting to Leeds, and getting around, doesn’t have to cost the earth – both in terms of impact on the environment, and on your pocket.

Day trips that deliver the best of both worlds

Thanks to Leeds serving as a gateway to heritage-rich villages and glorious green spaces, it’s a top city break destination for travellers who want the best of both worlds. Namely, city buzz and countryside calm. 
Read on to discover the best day trips from Leeds – excursions that’ll see you travel in greener (and steamier…) style.

Haworth Village

Surrounded by moorland that’ll have literature lovers thinking they’ve been transported into the pages of Wuthering Heights, the hilltop village of Haworth – famously the home of the Brontë sisters – boasts a bounty of boutiques, galleries and pretty places to eat and drink.

Exploring the impeccably restored Brontë Parsonage Museum is a must-do around these parts. So, too, is following the footpath to see the Brontë waterfall and Top Withens – a ruined farmhouse that’s thought to have inspired Wuthering Heights.

• How to get there: take a 25-minute train from Leeds to Keighley, then board the Keighley Worth Valley Railway steam train to Haworth.

• Don’t miss: fancying soaking up the landscape that inspired the Brontë sisters? Board a Brontë Bus between Keighley, Haworth and Hebden Bridge. Talking of which…

Hebden Bridge

Handsome Hebden Bridge once played host to the first mills of the Industrial Revolution, which were powered by water from the surrounding wooded hills.

These days, the hills are the perfect place to reconnect with nature, with trails traversing valleys and heather-carpeted moorland.

• How to get there: trains from Leeds to Hebden Bridge depart every 15 minutes and take around 45 minutes.

• Don’t miss: scenically sited in Hardcastle Crags woodland, Gibson Mill has been sustainably restored to its historic glory. After exploring the nearby nature trails, enjoy ethically-produced food in the Weaving Shed Café.

Saltaire UNESCO World Heritage Site

Taking its name from its founder, Sir Titus Salt, and the River Aire that runs through it, Saltaire’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status comes courtesy of it being an incredibly well-preserved Victorian village.

Built so Salt’s textile workers could live away from Bradford’s polluted city centre, his vision for a cleaner, greener future is epitomised by the Grade II Listed Salts Mill building.

Today Salt Mill is home to the 1853 Gallery, which houses one of the largest collections of David Hockney’s art, and an array of indie eateries and boutiques.

• How to get there: Saltaire is served by frequent trains from Leeds, with a 15-minute journey time.

• Don’t miss: the Saltaire Heritage Trail unveils tonnes of attractions.

Ilkey Moor

Head to the pretty Victorian spa town of Ilkey to access soul-stirring walks on Ilkey Moor. 

Boasting notable Neolithic sites and geological marvels, there are five Heritage Walks to choose from, the most popular of which leads to the legendary Cow and Calf rock formation.

The town itself is the perfect place to treat yourself to some of Yorkshire’s finest food and brews, including sipping a pint in The Flying Duck, which has its own micro-brewery.

• How to get there: take a train from Leeds to Ilkley (25 minutes), or catch bus X84 (one hour).

• Don’t miss: travelling with kids? Stop off in Ilkley Toy Museum.

Green travel in the beating heart of Leeds

Not only is Leeds a gateway to glorious green spaces and experiences, but the compact, walkable city of culture also isn’t short of ways to travel better. Here’s how you can do exactly that.

Explore canals by bike

There’s no better way to see stacks of attractions in sustainable style than cycling the city’s canal towpaths. 

As well as exploring the lively Leeds Waterfront by bike, we suggest following the Aire Valley Towpath to Saltaire – a route that begins near Granary Wharf in the city centre.

Stop off in medieval Kirkstall Abbey before passing Bramley Fall Woods, Rodley Nature Reserve, Calverley Woods and Apperley Bridge en route to Saltaire.

Uncover culture on themed walking trails

In good news for travellers who like the freedom and spontaneity of exploring cities on foot, Leeds has a host of walking trails that invite immersion.

Specially-curated routes cover everything from street art and ale, to theatrical history and LGBTQ+ venues.

Eat and shop in fabulous (and ethical) style

In more good news, Leeds is loaded with local indie businesses that ooze ethical credentials, not least dozens of restaurants that reveal exactly why Leeds has been hailed the foodie capital of the north. 

Take Eat Your Greens, for example – a fabulous farm-to-fork, organic restaurant that’s dedicated to serving the freshest, finest local produce.

When it comes to sustainable shopping, Leeds has plenty of vintage stores, like North South Vintage, while the historic Kirkgate Market is a vibrant place to shop local for everything from fashion and fruit, to sensational street food. 

Inspired? Given that we’ve barely touched the surface of reasons to visit Leeds for your next exhilarating – and green – city break, you might want to discover more ways to enjoy the great outdoors and explore further afield.

This article was made in partnership with Visit Leeds.