Parks and gardens dominate this undulating pastoral land, whose scenic terrain is best appreciated with a leisurely game of golf or bowls.
Once a part of the boisterous University of Leeds residences, Adel is today a picturesque suburb with ample space for sports. It now provides leafy and serene havens away from the lively city centre. Bring your family on a trek along the paths of various green areas.
The highlight of the area is the extraordinary York Gate Garden, which is split into 14 outdoor zones known as garden rooms. Make your way around these sections for the varied horticultural displays, including landscaped hedges, fountains and sculptures. Enjoy cakes and hot drinks in the Tea Room and buy seeds and plants in the nursery.
Marking the northern end of the garden is the 19th-century Headingley Golf Club, which claims to be the oldest in the city. As you work on your swing, appreciate the extensive views of this suburb, with its dense woodland and green rolling hills.
Continue getting to know the area’s leafy terrain through sports, by stopping at the Adel War Memorial Association. Watch a game of cricket or play bowls beside the site’s quaint white cottage. You can also rent the complex for parties and dinners.
Inspect the adjacent 12th-century St. John the Baptist Church, which is preserved as a fine example of Norman architecture. The nearby Lawnswood Cemetery comprises tranquil grounds with charming buildings and sculptures.
Adel has long had a deep connection with the University of Leeds, as the site of the now-demolished Bodington Hall, which was the college’s largest residence hall. Watch a university sports game in the Bodington Playing Fields that stand beside the former residences, which were replaced by more modern homes.
From the city centre of Leeds, travel on a bus north for 30 to 40 minutes to reach the core of the district. It is just a 15-minute drive east from Leeds Bradford Airport. Look around the surroundings for other quarters such as Headingley, Kirkstall and Moortown.
Visit Adel’s extensive parklands for an ideal afternoon of trekking and sports.
