Leeds City Walking Tours

11/01/2024

Leeds U3A I see that you have an events programme for members.
I give presentations and lead walking tours. Since 2019, several U3A groups in the area around Leeds have been on walks and I've done some presentations too. Do contact me to discuss if you're interested.
Rachael
[email protected]@

07/01/2024

'Women in and of Leeds' - how have Leeds women contributed to local, national and international female achievement?

An inspiring city centre
14:30 Sunday 18 February

Massive topic, huh? Only just got round to doing this for the first time last autumn because it's so dauntingly huge. But after two (very well attended and warmly received) tours I'm offering it again.

PS. No stunts of underwear conflagration and I DO acknowledge the crucial role of supportive fathers, husbands, sons, employers and others in enabling some women to do what the did and do achieve. So Men of Leeds, I dare you to come along. I'm only 5' 4" (and shrinking, presumably) even though I pack a verbal punch.

How have Leeds women contributed to the local, national and international female achievement?

23/05/2023

The architectural ceramics of look best on a fine day like today.
"What a lotta terracotta"
Extensive & engaging walking tour 14:30 - more info & booking here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-a-lotta-terracotta-tickets-611448447767

29/04/2023

Still just a few places for 'Rooftop Leeds'
18:00 Wed 3 May

See the city from different angles.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rooftop-leeds-on-a-summers-evening-with-special-cocktail-as-a-finale-tickets-614235594197

20/12/2022

Here's an idea for you Leeds folk who are interested in learning about your city. And maybe you have visitors who don't know it much/at all?
Something for all in this unusual tour 'Time in Leeds'.
11:00 on Friday 30 Dec
or
13:30 on Sunday 1 Jan
Find details and book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leeds-city-walking-tours-18334371461

09/12/2022

I've been drafting vouchers - for relatives of some 2022 tour participants.
You can line up a private tour or get a voucher that can be 'cashed in' for place(s) on a scheduled tour.
A good for nearest & dearest who'd appreciate knowing (more) about our endlessly fascinating city.

16/01/2022

Join me online on Sunday 23 Jan to learn about our great Leeds Town Hall.
Two options: 11:00 or 16:00 - so grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle down to enjoy the pictures and fascinating details.
More info and booking here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leeds-city-walking-tours-18334371461

13/12/2021

New schedule of events happening from 29 Dec for the following few weeks.
A few real outings and several online presentations for Sundays during the darkest weeks of winter.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leeds-city-walking-tours-18334371461

If you have a request for your family/friends, local group, company, school ... do get in touch to ask about routes, dates, prices. I cover loads of different topics: https://www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk/tour-titles

03/08/2021

3 August 1821: John Barran was born.
Entrepreneur who pioneered ready-made clothing - invested in sewing machines & band knives.
Civic figure: councillor, alderman, mayor, MP, Chamber of Commerce, University governor & treasurer.
Father of 10, Baptist, Liberal, teetotaller.
And - crowning glory - while he was mayor, he secured Roundhay Park for Leeds in 1871. Not an easy task to overcome objections and practical difficulties, but he succeeded. He said future generations would be grateful.
Worth celebrating.
City centre tours 5 Sept & 3 Oct.
More Roundhay tours to come soon.
https://www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk/

16/07/2021

Sunny outings coming up on Sunday.
Two tour guides for the price of one and two tours in a day - city centre in the morning, universities in the afternoon.
Cliff is an artist and photographer, native of Leeds, and has an endless fund of enthralling stories about how the city has changed.
Looking forward to our double act - Small and Tall Chatterboxes.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../leeds-city-walking-tours...

24/06/2021

Interesting tours coming up. I'm finally doing 'Textiles & clothing' - a HUGE topic in Leeds' past.
A little story: I went into one of the (few) fabric shops in town today and asked for a sample of woollen cloth and a sample of worsted. Now, younger readers may not have a clue what that latter word means. It's fine cloth suitable for suits, made from yarn spun with long fibres from a sheep's fleece.
Well, in this quite capacious fabric department, there was only ONE example of a 100% pure wool cloth. No pure wool worsteds at all.
A sign of the times.
At its height, the woollen textile industry employed thousands and in the 1930s, when the clothing industry was at its zenith, over 60% of all men's suits sold in Britain had been made in Leeds.
Want to learn more?
Tours are at 2pm on Sat 3 July and 11am on Sun 4 July.
Lasts about 2 hours.
Book via www.leedscitywalkingtours.co.uk

20/03/2021

Join me for 'Teatime with Innovators of ' Sunday 21st March 16:00h.
(NB still on GMT here in UK.)
Meet an inspiring roomful of women & men of the mid-Victorian era.
Many were featured in our 2018 book
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/leeds-city-walking-tours-18334371461