[Cricket] Trip to Headingley

[Gritt23]

Tourist information required.

Contemplating a trip to Headingley this summer for a day at the Pakistan Test, and if we do so, then we'd make it an overnight jobbie (probably 2 nights) so was wondering what pointers you good people can give about good or bad parts around Headingley to stay, how best to get about, particularly on a match day, are we best staying close to the Ground, or as far away as we can face travelling on match day. I really don't know Leeds very well at all. I've been to Elland Road a couple of times but it's too long ago for me to have ANY real idea of whereabouts to stay or go for an evening out.

Just for context, I'm not a 20 year old looking for a wild night. I'm in my mid-forties, looking for a lovely pub, some sport on the telly perhaps, and certainly where the general volume is at a level where I can chat without straining my vocal chords.

Thanks.

 

[Is it PotG?]

I'd give this place a swerve for starters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-leeds-43146847/headingley-bar-fight-turns-into-mass-brawl

 

[Badger]

I know the area around Headingley has a fair few students. I had a friend at uni there, who lived about 2 minutes walk from the ground. So you might want to head to a different part of the city.

 

[Brian Parsons]

Er, it's in Leeds. That should be enough to deter anyone.

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[Albion_Dave]

I would stay in Harrogate & get the direct train to Headingley which is about 20-25 minutes.

 

[timbha]

I'd give this place a swerve for starters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-leeds-43146847/headingley-bar-fight-turns-into-mass-brawl

at first I thought I was watching a kid's (oompa loompa) party

 

[Gritt23]

Back when I was of Uni age, I remember hearing that the area around Headingley itself was none too clever, but fair to say that was a LONG time ago. Does sound so far, like not too much has changed. I like the Harrogate idea actually. [MENTION=20121]Albion_Dave[/MENTION] when you say to get the train in, is there a station near the ground that is on the same line as Harrogate, or do you just mean get the train into Leeds and make your way from there? Would it not be completely chockersville after the end of play though?

 

[Albion_Dave]

Back when I was of Uni age, I remember hearing that the area around Headingley itself was none too clever, but fair to say that was a LONG time ago. Does sound so far, like not too much has changed. I like the Harrogate idea actually. [MENTION=20121]Albion_Dave[/MENTION] when you say to get the train in, is there a station near the ground that is on the same line as Harrogate, or do you just mean get the train into Leeds and make your way from there? Would it not be completely chockersville after the end of play though?

There is a direct train from Harrogate to Headingley station which is a few stops before leeds & then it's a 15 minute walk to the ground.

 

[Clive Walker]

lived in headingley for 2 years and it is actually more like a busy village just outside the city centre, plenty of bars and restaurants. The fact that the tst will be played outside of term time means the crowds will be in the local watering holes which have been equipeed to withstand thousands of people whether it be students or sports crowds (rugby league or cricket).

Enjoy

 

[Notters]

Er, it's in Leeds. That should be enough to deter anyone.

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Nonsense.

In the process of moving up there now. Will be living about five miles from Headingley. Always thought Brighton was fantastic for shops, restaurants etc. But Leeds shits all over it tbh.

My favourite pub so far (and also the oldest) is Whitelockes. Plenty of pubs in Headingley too. Should be able to help more when I've been there a bit.

I would probably stay in the city centre or Harrogate, as suggested above. Good train service to both.

Oh and thanks to the OP for this as wasn't aware. Tickets look cheap so may give it a whirl. Any idea where's best to sit?

 

[Gritt23]

Tickets look cheap so may give it a whirl. Any idea where's best to sit?

Don't know I'm afraid, as I've never been there before, but be aware that the new Main Stand will not be ready for this summer, and is showing on the ticket sites as being "under construction" so that will restrict availability. The Saturday is the day people traditionally turn up at Headingley in fancy dress, and that day looks sold out already.

 

[wakeytom]

Stay in the city centre where there are plenty of pubs to suit your requirements and you can easily walk to headingley

 

[LlcoolJ]

Don't know I'm afraid, as I've never been there before, but be aware that the new Main Stand will not be ready for this summer, and is showing on the ticket sites as being "under construction" so that will restrict availability. The Saturday is the day people traditionally turn up at Headingley in fancy dress, and that day looks sold out already.

We always go in the East Stand. Decent views, massive bar in the long room plus decent food and a separate bar just serving Black Sheep.

If it chuck's it down then there's enough room inside to stay dry (and carry on drinking) too. Also means that you get to watch all the fancy dress and beer snake fun in the West from a good viewpoint/safe distance.

When we stayed over for a presentation evening we stopped in the Premier Inn which is about a five minute taxi ride to the ground. You can walk into the centre from there if you want the bars/restaurants and it cost about £35 for a family room.

Pubs near the ground tend to be massive student friendly type places in my experience although I've not explored much. Tend to just nip for a pint at one of the nearest ones when my son's training there on a Sunday evening.

 

[Eeyore]

Er, it's in Leeds. That should be enough to deter anyone.

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Of course, you live in Bicester- that hive of cosmopolitan utopia.

Alan Bennett's from Leeds. That makes it okay with me.

 

[Peter Grummit]

Another vote here for Whitelock's, tucked away right in the heart of the city centre, definitely worth a visit. http://www.whitelocksleeds.com/

If you like your real/craft beer than Arcadia in Headingley is decent, music/TV free and relatively student free as it doesn't do the sort of promotional deals spotty yoofs go for. Clientele will be around your demographic.

If you don't mind cheap as chips and and a bit rough then the Sam Smiths pubs - such as the Red Lion just south of the river - are worth a visit to see the 'real' Leeds. We are talking £2 a pint, just don't look at another bloke's bird....seriously, folk have always been friendly in there despite our southern accents.

Oh, and go see the Corn Exchange which is my favorite building in Leeds. And the posh arcades are good for a bit of window shopping - just across from Whitelock's.

My eldest lives in Leeds so I've got to know the city quite well.

 

[Poojah]

One or too slightly harsh views on Leeds here. I moved to the city a little under twelve years ago and during that had time has been subject to a huge amount of investment and is unrecognisable as a result.

Headingley's a great little place in it's own right, if a little 'studenty' as others have said, and has some decent pubs and bars in close proximity to the ground that are well worth a go. That said, it should cost you no more than a tenner to and from the city centre and so I'd recommend staying, eating and going out there if you can.

There's loads of choice for any budget and whatever your group's into in terms of food and drinking. You'll have a much greater choice of hotels too - there's not much going on in that respect to my knowledge other than a slightly tired looking Premier Inn.

If you're looking for good pubs with good beer, Whitelocks as already mentioned is a cracker but I've listed out a few other favourites of mine as well for you:

- Tapped
- Head of Steam
- Beer Hall at Headrow House
- North Bar
- Pack Horse
- White Swan

There are a couple of Brewdog's too if you're into that, one near the Corn Exchange as recommended above which is worth a visit.

If you catch the weather nice, three of the best beer gardens are probably just outside the very city centre (5 mins walk from the station) but close together - The Boathouse, Midnight Bell and Cross Keys. All have a great beer selection. If you prefer to stay more central you could head over to Millennium Square which although populated mainly by chain pubs (Wetherspoons, All Bar One, Revolution et al) has a really big open courtyard which is lovely on a nice day.

In terms of watching sport specifically, there are quite a few places to do that in Headingley if you wish that you can't really miss. In the city centre itself there's Live Bar which is in Victoria Gate, a swanky new casino / shopping centre but is not particularly overpriced or snooty. The Brotherhood is also pretty good.

Hope that's helpful. If you want any hotel / restaurant recommendations let me know rough budget and what kind of thing you're into.

Cheers!

 

[Tokyohands]

Studied in Leeds and lived in Headingley in the 90s and haven't been back since but I loved it, had a great time and I hear the city centre is much improved. Yes it is a student area and I think as others have said it might be better to stay in town, there are loads of buses to and from Headingley anyway. One thing I would say is if you hope to still have a car, don't take it anywhere near Headingley or Leeds even. I had a D reg Nissan Micra at the time and even that got nicked!

 

[Easy 10]

I'd head for nearby Hotten. Lovely little pub around there called the Woolpack. I don't think it has Sky, but they do a nice hotpot apparently. As long as a plane doesn't land on it.

 

[dazzer6666]

Stayed at the Hilton last season when we played the dirty *******s. Nice hotel, good facilities, pretty cheap and plenty of decent pubs nearby if you're into craft beers. Local transport good. Was surprisingly impressed with the city centre during daylight.....full of drunken ***** from about 7pm though [emoji23][emoji23]

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[Napier's Knee]

Leeds is a stunningly great city - heaven only knows how they got the football team they have. The suggestion to stay in the city centre and walk up to Headingly is good - the walk would take about 30 mins and is all up hill on the way there, but you'll pass the Fenton pub near the University which is good. As for hotels in Heandingly, I've often stayed at Weetwood Hall - not the cheapest but very comfortable, has it's own goodish pub and is about a 15 min (max) walk to the stadium:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel..._Hall_Hotel-Leeds_West_Yorkshire_England.html
I've also stayed at a nice B&B on a quiet side street about five mins from the stadium:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ha...134838fd0b02002e;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

The Original Oak pub used to be great with a crown green bowls lawn but has been 'updated' (ruined), and the Shire Oak is more than a bit bland. But Leeds itself is a wonderful place - enjoy