An aerial view of Meanwood from Woodhouse Ridge, looking across a rugby ground and fields towards Grove Lane running along the bottom in June 1973. The Meanwood Hotel public house is on the bottom right at the junction with Meanwood Road. Bentley Lane runs up on the far left with Bentley Primary School on its right hand side, while Stainbeck Road runs up on the right. Much of the housing in between the two, mainly terraces, has since been demolished and replaced by semi-detached housing.An aerial view of Meanwood from Woodhouse Ridge, looking across a rugby ground and fields towards Grove Lane running along the bottom in June 1973. The Meanwood Hotel public house is on the bottom right at the junction with Meanwood Road. Bentley Lane runs up on the far left with Bentley Primary School on its right hand side, while Stainbeck Road runs up on the right. Much of the housing in between the two, mainly terraces, has since been demolished and replaced by semi-detached housing.
An aerial view of Meanwood from Woodhouse Ridge, looking across a rugby ground and fields towards Grove Lane running along the bottom in June 1973. The Meanwood Hotel public house is on the bottom right at the junction with Meanwood Road. Bentley Lane runs up on the far left with Bentley Primary School on its right hand side, while Stainbeck Road runs up on the right. Much of the housing in between the two, mainly terraces, has since been demolished and replaced by semi-detached housing.

15 photos take you back to Leeds in 1973

Andrew Hutchinson
By Andrew Hutchinson
Published 3rd Apr 2023, 04:45 BST

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These photo gems are sure to bring back memories for a generation of people who remember Leeds in the early 1970s.

The gallery celebrates a year in the life of the city and its residents in 1973. City suburbs in focus including Morley, Meanwood, Gipton and Armley as well as the city centre. They are published courtesy of the David Atkinson Archive as well as photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. They also run heritage blog The Secret Library Leeds, which provides a behind the scenes look at the Central Library and highlights from its special collections, including rare books hidden away in the stacks. READ MORE: Leeds in the 1970s - What it was like growing up in the decade of strikes and flares LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook

High Street Transport lorry driving down Oak Tree Drive in Gipton. This is locally known as ‘Fairway Hill’, so named after the public house that once stood at the top of the hill. There is a tower block on the left side of the road and several blocks of low-rise council housing. There are also two cars driving down the road.

7. Leeds in 1973

High Street Transport lorry driving down Oak Tree Drive in Gipton. This is locally known as ‘Fairway Hill’, so named after the public house that once stood at the top of the hill. There is a tower block on the left side of the road and several blocks of low-rise council housing. There are also two cars driving down the road. Photo: Leeds Museums Service

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A telephoto view from Morley Town Hall of the children's playground behind the Hopkins Gardens that was set up as part of the Coronation celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. It is seen here with Queensway in the foreground and Fish's field in the background.

8. Leeds in 1973

A telephoto view from Morley Town Hall of the children's playground behind the Hopkins Gardens that was set up as part of the Coronation celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. It is seen here with Queensway in the foreground and Fish's field in the background. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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Queensway showing building in progress on the Scatcherd Sports Centre, later to become Morley leisure Centre in June 1973. In the foreground is the Entrance to the car park for Morrisons supermarket. In the background are houses on Corporation Street and Wynyard Drive.

9. Leeds in 1973

Queensway showing building in progress on the Scatcherd Sports Centre, later to become Morley leisure Centre in June 1973. In the foreground is the Entrance to the car park for Morrisons supermarket. In the background are houses on Corporation Street and Wynyard Drive. Photo: David Atkinson Archive

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Cathedral Chambers, a Grade II listed building on Great George Street by the junction with St. Anne's Street (now Dudley Way), seen on the left.

10. Leeds in 1973

Cathedral Chambers, a Grade II listed building on Great George Street by the junction with St. Anne's Street (now Dudley Way), seen on the left. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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Granting of the Freedom of the City of Leeds to H.M.S. Ark Royal, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother according the honour in October 1973. This view is of Leeds Civic Hall. The Royal party is in the centre, with two temporary stands for guests. The Queen Mother spoke of her association with Ark Royal, recalling that she had launched the ship in Birkenhead 23 years previously. 400 members of the ships company were present, from the total of 2,500 crew. They were accompanied by the combined bands of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Ark Royal. A march past took them from the Civic Hall through the city centre. There was also a flypast by 26 aircraft from the ship.

11. Leeds in 1973

Granting of the Freedom of the City of Leeds to H.M.S. Ark Royal, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother according the honour in October 1973. This view is of Leeds Civic Hall. The Royal party is in the centre, with two temporary stands for guests. The Queen Mother spoke of her association with Ark Royal, recalling that she had launched the ship in Birkenhead 23 years previously. 400 members of the ships company were present, from the total of 2,500 crew. They were accompanied by the combined bands of the Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Ark Royal. A march past took them from the Civic Hall through the city centre. There was also a flypast by 26 aircraft from the ship. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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The Time Ball Buildings at no.24-26 Lower Briggate, and looking west. The premises were home to John Dyson & Sons, watchmakers, repairers, and jewellers, founded in 1865.

12. Leeds in 1973

The Time Ball Buildings at no.24-26 Lower Briggate, and looking west. The premises were home to John Dyson & Sons, watchmakers, repairers, and jewellers, founded in 1865. Photo: Leeds Libraries, www.leodis.net

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