River Aire Walk. Section 1. Leeds Railway Station to Victoria Bridge via Dark Arches and Granary Wharf
Railway Station to Dark Arches
Click Photo for larger Image
River Aire Walk. Section1 Route Diagram
Aerial photograph Leeds City station courtesy of webbaviation.co.uk
Leave the railway station via the main exit (straight forward from the ticket barrier). Cross the road and descend the staircase inside the round tower next to the taxi stand. See photo.
Turn right at the foot of the stairs. Photograph shows the exit you will come out of. Walk along Neville street, under the railway bridge. While still under the bridge take the second turning on the right, with the Arch Bar on the corner. You are now entering the Dark Arches, that runs under the station.
The Dark Arches Leeds. A Victorian Engineering marvel
- The Dark Arches, Leeds, built in the Victorian era to support the massive Leeds Railway station 1 floor above. They formed one of the largest subterranean building structure in the united Kingdom
- Although open to the public the arches are rather secretive and easily passed by, but are worth a visit and an interesting route to Granary Wharf
- The river Aire runs underneath the station through 4 of the arches. The floors of these 4 arches were dug much deeper to keep the rest of the system above normal flood level.
- The slope of the river bed is at its steepest in its journey through these arches and is quite dramatic sight after rain, especially as the sound of the flow is amplified by the brick walls & echoes. The subdued electric lighting further enhances the view. The enclosed tunnels also enhance the smell of the river.
- The small and interesting craft shopping centre that opened at one time has now closed due to lack of sufficient customers.
Click Photo for larger Image
Road Bridge After passing a couple of car parks in side arches you cross a bridge over the river Aire that flows through a few side arches, from right to left. On the left a few metres down stream is the newly built Railway Station South Entrance
This view is taken from the right hand side of the bridge that can be seen in the previous photograph. The river Aire is flowing toward you and under the bridge.
The flow of water can be fast and is quite a sight as it rushes through these tunnels after a heavy rainfall.
- As you cross the road bridge you will see on your left the new South Entrance entrance to the Railway Station located above. The entrance is built over the river with a pedestrian foot bridge built front & back.
- Beyond the road bridge you will see a few exits from the arches to the open area of Granary Wharf .
Granary Wharf Leeds
- On exiting from the Dark Arches into Granary wharf you will find bars, restaurants hotel and 3 docking basins, one of which is a dry dock. in front of you is the the towpath to the right takes you toward Kirkstall. which is another nice walk in summer. Head towards the canal. This is the start of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. In summer barge trips are run between Granary Wharf and The Armouries Museum.
- The towpath to the right takes you toward Kirkstall. another nice walk in summer. Head towards the canal. This is the start of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. In summer barge trips are run between Granary Wharf and The Armouries Museum.
Location of Granary wharf Leeds
- Granary wharf is located:
- Immediately South of The Dark Arches, The massive Victorian archway structure that supports Leeds Railway station
- At the Leeds end of the Leeds Liverpool Canal
- On it's South East corner is the the junction of The Leeds Liverpool Canal & the River Aire that flows from under the Leeds Railway Station.
Barsin Granary Wharf
Archie's Bar & Kitchen
Craft Asylum #1 Bar
The Arch Bar
The Golf Bar
The Lock Bar & Restaurant
Water Lane Boathouse Bar Restaurant
Restaurants in Granary Wharf
Most of the Bars above have a food menu.
Faznda
Living Italy Restaurant
Click Photo for larger Image
The Fair Maiden barge docked in one of the three canal basins. The old whare -house is now, left, home to Bairds Mens Clothing manufacturers & right. Water lane Boathouse Bar & Restaurant with extensive beer garden
See the operation of the locks as a barges or pleasure boats pass through. This is a good area to watch the barges and pleasure boats navigate this the first lock in the Leeds Liverpool canal. Another lock is 180m upstream.
Looking back you can see how how the railway station lies above the Dark Arches of Granary Wharf, and a couple of metres within the arches the bridge you crossed over the river. Old photo:
The River Aire still flows through 4 of the Dark Arches & now also under, the new south entrance to the railway station, built in front of the arches . Also new are flats built on both river banks and 2 new footbridges. One bridge can be seen, & the photo. taken from the other.
The barge "Sulaskar" leaving the Leeds Liverpool canal and entering the River Aire. Cross the Leeds Liverpool canal by the wooden footbridge immediately downstream of the first lock of the Leeds Liverpool canal canal shown in the photograph. above the barge. Turn left and walk around the building.
Office workers enjoying the sunshine on the terrace on the far bank of the River Aire
The same barge has just picked up the lady who operated the locks the barge has just come through. These steps are also the pick up point for the water taxi. The walk continues on the road where the white van is in the top right corner of the photo.
Water Taxi Granary Wharf to / from Leeds Royal Armouries
The Water Taxi is a cheap alternative to our Riverside walk you can enjoy a single or return trip along the river with its fascinating river side life & Views.
- A fleet of 2 yellow boats, Drie & Twee operate the Water Taxi service on the River Aire, between Granary Wharf & The Royal Armouries
- Every 15 minutes
- £1 per single journey. Children under 6 free
Where to catch the Water Taxi
- Granary Wharf. Board on the River Aire South Bank immediately downstream from the first lock gate on the Leeds Liverpool Canal
- Leeds Dock The dock side In front of the Leeds Royal Armouries, just before the foot bridge half way down Leeds Dock Basin
Granary Wharf to Neville Street Bridge
After walking around the right end of the Baird Group (BMB) building take a left at he junction into Canal Wharf, see photo.
Walk up the slight hill of Canal Wharf, for 37m passing this building on your right. Turn left again into Water Lane. & walk uphill to the top.
Take a note of all the metal & glass structures you will find in this area. Although they may look like modern art they are built for a purpose. Can you guess what? Answer below.
Cross onto the island in the middle of Water lane, where the mam on the right is. Turn left at the island & the cross the Cross onto the island in the middle of Water lane the cross the main road, Victoria Road. On the other side look pass. On the other side of the road glass pass through the gap in the glass barrier across the main road footpath onto the footpath that leads back downhill to the river side to continue the walk on the South Bank.
More metal structures and also a large glass awning are built onto Bridgwater Place
Junction of Water Lane & Victoria Road
At this junction you have a choice
- 1. Continue the walk as above.
- 2..Cross the road as above then turn left walk over the brige the down the steps on your right & continue on the North bank of the river. Note: Part of this is locked at night.
- 3. Turn left over the bridge & return to the Railway Station or City Square.
Answer to The Structure Question
- After the building of Bridgwater Place it was soon apparant that the shape & size of the buiding turned the North Eastern quadrant into a wind tunnel and caused many accidents.
- Such as people being blown off their feet and sometimes injured.
- Eventually a lorrywas blown over and tradically crushed a man to death.
- After a study of the problem the structures a glass barriers were errected to reduce the wind tunnel effect around the building.
Continue The River side Walk through Leeds
Next section 2. Victoria Bridge to Leeds Bridge
River Side Walk River Aire Central Leeds Leeds City station and Granary Wharf to Leeds Dock & the Royal Armouries Museum
Section 1 Leeds Railway Station to Victoria Bridge
Via Neville Street, the Dark Arches that support Leeds Station, still in the Dark Arches crossing the River Aire that flows through 4 of the arches, continuing into Granary Wharf and crossing the Leeds Liverpool canal by a small foot bridge then on to Victoria Bridge.
Section 2 . Victoria Bridge to Leeds Bridge along the South side of the River Aire.
Alternativly you can walk along the north bank but there are a few flights of steps on this route. Also a section is closed at night.
Section 3 . Leeds Bridge to Centenary foot bridge along the South side of the River Aire.
Via Victoria Quays (Navigation Walk). The lagoon, a damed off barge basin, with a fountain. Look for the resident Water Hen(s) black with white strips & fluffy black chicks in summer. The steps over the flood barrier can be avoided by doing a right turn just before the steps but there are 2 steps on this route or completly avoid steps by walking along Dock Street instead of Navigation Walk.
Section 4 . Centenary foot bridge to the Royal Armouries .
This section takes you past Centenary foot bridge, Brewery Wharf, Coranation Footbridge & under Crown point bridge.
