Category: Student living

 

Sometimes you just need to get out of that city air, even HydePark and Headingley can feel a bit stuffy at times, and what better way to do that than to go on a beautiful picturesque walk. Here are some of the most picturesque walks in and around Leeds: 

Golden Acre Park 

With its circular LakeSide walk path and popular tearoom, Golden Acre is a favourite of many when it comes to an escape. The walk itself isn’t challenging as it is mainly flat and only around 5.4 miles. But the beautiful scenery makes for a really exciting walk. Alongside this they also have their gorgeous gardens to take in. However, if you’re going on a weekend (especially if it’s sunny) I would recommend getting there early as Golden Acre can get extremely busy. 

Roundhay Park 

Roundhay is another gorgeous circular walk right around the lake. With 700 acres of rolling parkland, lakes, woodlands, formal gardens and cafes; Roundhay park makes for a great trip out. The Park is not only extremely popular out of the UK but out of Europe too, so it’s definitely worth a visit. With it not being a difficult walk meaning it’s one for everyone and anyone to enjoy.

Eccup Reservoir 

Eccup Reservoir is the largest area of water in West Yorkshire, making it a beautiful and unique day out. With only a 15 minute car journey from Headingley, Eccup is the perfect day out for when you want some fresh air away from University life. Eccup is also a great location for bird watching, with its wide range of bird species that live there. 

Kirkstall Abbey 

Kirkstall Abbey is a great scenic walk to fill up your afternoon. The walk ​​explores the ruins of a former Cistercian monastery on the River Aire in Leeds. Just a 30 minute walk from Headingley or a 10 minute drive from Hyde Park; Kirkstall Abbey is a fab close proximity walk where you can appreciate both the scenery and architecture. 

Meanwood 

Meanwood is an easily accessible walking location for those living in Headingley and a short drive away for those in Hyde Park and Woodhouse. Meanwood is a gorgeous easy walk for weekday evenings and weekends; with a mixture of woodland, small rivers, and even a small waterfall under a bridge. To top it off it has a cafe that does the best brownies in Leeds (in my opinion, and they’re gluten free!). 

 

Headingley is a hive for students, and every student likes a good pub. Here are just some of the venues that are great for weekday deals, quizzes, karaoke and much more. 

Manahatta 

Manahatta is the place to go for your 2 for 1 cocktail deals. The New York inspired bar is slightly fancier than the rest of the drinking spots in Headingley, but still a good time. Fancy a fun girls night or want to celebrate something special with their famous bottomless brunches, Manahatta is the go to. However, it not only offers drinks, they also have shuffleboard tables available to anyone to play. 

Taps 

Taps is a favourite of many students in the area, due to its cracking student deals (£2.50 a pint on weekdays to name one), exciting pub quiz, and hilarious karaoke. Taps is much more of a casual pub, making it an easy stop off after a long day at uni. The pub offers a range of drinks from cocktails, to spirits, shots and pints. Taps is a great midweek spot for a cheap drink with some mates. 

Head Of Steam

Head Of Steam, situated just down the road from Taps, has a variety of great deals for students, from 50% off burgers every Monday and their ‘Tallboy Tuesdays’ where you can buy two cans and get the third one on them. Alongside their deals they also hold their own pub quiz on a Wednesday evening and live music every Sunday, making them another great option for some local fun. 

Box

Box offers some of the best deals for food and drink in Headingley, with 50% off all food Mondays – Thursdays, 2 for 1 cocktails and 20% student discount on all drinks during weekdays. In addition to this box is one of the liveliest places to go in Headingley on a Saturday night. Fancy a dance but don’t want to pay for an uber all the way into the city, Box is the place to go. 

Original Oak 

Renowned for having one of the best beer gardens in the UK, Oak is a great place to grab a pint in the sun. Much like Taps, Oak has some cracking student feels on drinks, with two pinters costing only £3.50 and single pints costing £2.50. Another fab deal that Oak has is their Monday night pub quiz, for £1 you can enter the quiz and get a portion of sausage and chips too (with veggie options). A great event to brighten up your Monday. 

Skyrack  

Skyrack, the home of the infamous Sunday night karaoke, the best Sunday night entertainment in my opinion. Other than this Skyrack also offers some great pub food and drinks. If you go on a Friday or Saturday you are also bound to see a sea of hilarious costumes from Otley Run goers, making for some in house entertainment. 

Headingley 

Fika North

Nestled in Far Headingley, Fika North prides itself on its home roasted brews and picturesque interiors. This calming location is the perfect spot for when you need to study but also need to get out of the house. Fika also serves a plethora of pastries and cakes for you to enjoy alongside your work. You can even reward yourself after a hard day studying with a cocktail that they also offer. 

Loaf 

Situated slightly further down than Fika, Loaf is another great independent coffee shop to utilise for your studying needs. Furnished with a mixture of sofas and chairs and tables, you’re bound to find a comfy spot to get your head down. If you need a pick me up, Loaf has you covered with their vast menu and gorgeous cake selection. 

Cafe Latte 

Right in central Headingley, Cafe Latte is situated within a 2 minute walk from most student properties making it an easy, local and independent coffee shop perfect for all your studying needs. It has plenty of space and tables so you’re bound to find somewhere that suits you. 

 

Hyde Park 

LS6 

LS6 cafe is located in central Hyde Park right on Otley Road. With benches right by the window it is perfect for people watching while you study, not to mention the gorgeous coffee, smoothies, and milkshakes they offer. They also have a great menu full of breakfast favourites, in case you get hungry when hard at work. 

Hyde Park Book Club 

Hyde Park Book Club is infamous around Hyde Park, for its Art club and late night events. However, it is also a great, calming location during the day for studying. With its plethora of plants and greenery gives the Book Club the perfect vibe to be a good study space. 

Coffee On The Crescent 

Coffee On The Crescent is passionate about their home roasted coffee and that is why Coffee On The Crescent is such a great place to visit. And, you guessed it, it’s also another great place for daily studying. No one wants to be cooped up in the house all day looking at the same four walls, so utilising your local coffee shops means you get out of the house, are still productive, and are supporting independent small businesses.