Leeds Walking Tour

Monday 06 July
Depart: Parkinson Steps: 14.00
Arrive: Parkinson Steps: 16.30
Open to: IMC Delegates
Price: £15.00
How to Book: Advance Booking Required via IMC Registration

Today’s visitor to the great commercial and industrial city of Leeds can scarcely conceive that once it was a minor medieval agricultural settlement. At the time of Domesday Book in 1086, ‘Ledes’ was a small manor on the north bank of the River Aire. In 1207, Maurice Paynel founded the historic street of Briggate upon which the burgage plots of the medieval borough are still evident. Over the years, Leeds expanded to become one of the most prosperous woollen cloth-making and marketing towns in Georgian England and then one of the greatest industrial cities of the Victorian Age. The municipal buildings built during this period, including Cuthbert Brodrick’s magnificent town hall and the Leeds City Museum, still dominate the centre of town.

This tour will trace the history of Leeds from medieval settlement to one of the most important business centres in the United Kingdom.

This tour will be led by Kevin Grady (Patron of Leeds Historical Society and former Director of the Leeds Civic Trust).

Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the listed departure time. Sensible footwear is recommended, as there will be a significant amount of walking. It would also be advisable to bring raincoats, sunblock, and water. Meals and other refreshments are not included. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.