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Headingley: a completely biased description about my neighbourhood in Leeds

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Headingley: a completely biased description about my neighbourhood in Leeds

Deciding what and where you will study your undergraduate or master’s degree. Checked.

Getting accepted by the University of Leeds. Checked. 

Choosing your accommodation in Leeds. Not checked.

Don’t worry about it! Determining where you will live while you study in Leeds —a hesitation that applies to students everywhere else, for that matter— is indeed a big deal, both exciting and daunting. I will try to help you out a bit by telling you about my neighbourhood, Headingley, which has a ton of student and private accommodation options to pick from (I live in private housing but you should consider all pros and cons of each alternative). One disclaimer, though: my opinion about Headingley is completely biased because I just love it.

Located about 1.3 miles from the University of Leeds (which means around a 20 minute walk), Headingley has everything you need to make the best of your time here, including independent shops, cafes, bars and pubs (such as The Skyrack and The Original Oak), restaurants, supermarkets (the Arndale Centre features a Sainsbury’s and a Wilko), public parks, and transport links (lots of buses can give you a ride to either the uni or the city centre if you don’t fancy walking). You’ve also got the Cottage Road Cinema and, if you are into sports, Headingley Stadium, which hosts rugby league and cricket matches.

Headingley is also known for the traditional ‘Otley Run’, a hugely popular pub crawl that begins at Woodies Ale House in Far Headingley and somehow finishes in the city centre (that is a lot of bars!). It is typically done in fancy dress, so do not be surprised if on any given day you come across a group of Peaky Blinders or giant bananas just having a good time beer in hand. To be honest, I still have not done the ‘Otley Run’ myself but I will most certainly attempt it before completing my master’s.

What I find most attractive about Headingley, however, is the amazing vegetation and calmness you find once you walk away from the main Otley Road and stroll around its local streets. If you like the sound of birds, then you are in for a treat! I come from Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, which is a-maz-ing, but the car noise and the huge crowds can definitely get in your nerves. In fact, in Headingley I happened to find the peace and quiet I desperately needed.

My top three spots in Headingley:

  • Cottage Road Cinema: It is one of the oldest independent movie theatres in all the UK, having been continuously showing films since 1912. Watching a flick there is probably the closest you will get to travelling back in time. Unless you are Marty McFly, of course!
  • The Cat’s Pyjamas: How about some Indian street food and craft beer? If I were you, I would go with the tandoori prawns, the butter chicken and a Jaipur IPA. This is my favourite dining place, but there are many other ethnic options on Otley Road, such as Santorini Bar & Grill (Greek-Turkish), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian-Thai), Ecco Pizzeria (Italian), and I am Döner (Middle Eastern), where I had the best shawarma in as long as I can remember.
  • Woodhouse Ridge: Locally known as ‘The Ridge’ and part of the Meanwood Trail, it is a strip of woodland that is literally three hundred feet away from my place. If you fancy a jog, it is definitely worth checking out.

Got any questions about Headingley? Be sure to write me an email!