If you are lucky enough to have scored a ticket to the inaugural Roundhay Festival, your game plan for the day is likely already locked in.
But entering a major festival arena shouldn’t mean spending your entire day stuck in a ‘bubble’; in fact, the journey to the gates is the perfect excuse to explore the very best of Leeds’ thriving scene.
Roundhay Park sits roughly three miles north of Leeds City Centre, and depending on how you choose to travel, your route will cut through some of the most culturally rich, creative, and vibrant neighbourhoods the city has to offer.
To help you turn your transit into an absolute crawl of local gems (and practical points too), we have mapped out an area-by-area guide on the main routes to and around the festival site - including the car parking and ‘park and stride’ options.
Whether you are stepping off the train platforms to catch the official Sovereign Street shuttle buses, navigating the direct driving routes, or taking a scenic, traffic-free cruise on a Beryl e-bike through the northern valleys, these local hubs are ready to welcome you.
Flip through our gallery below to map out your perfect pre-festival itinerary, complete with these local spots to check out in Leeds City Centre, Meanwood, Chapel Allerton, and Oakwood & Roundhay.
19. The Cheesy Living Co. Oakwood (478 Roundhay Road
Operating right on the iconic parade, this independent sanctuary is an absolute paradise for cheese and charcuterie lovers. It is a spectacular destination to sit out with a cold glass of wine or stock up on gourmet provisions for a sophisticated parkside snack before heading past the festival check-ins. | Local Library
20. The Melbourne (476 Roundhay Road)
Sitting right next door, this beautifully relaxed indie bar serves as a premier neighbourhood social hub. It is heavily celebrated by locals for its fantastic, shifting line-up of regional craft beers and cocktails - making it a perfect spot to meet up with friends. | Local Library
21. House of Koko (466 Roundhay Road)
The brilliant Oakwood sister site to the Chapel Allerton institution. It sits perfectly positioned on the parade to catch festival traffic, serving up elite specialty espresso, vibrant brunch plates, and fresh bakes for those arriving at the southern gates ahead of the afternoon rush. | YEP
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22. Jackrabbits Pottery (633A Roundhay Road)
Tucked right alongside the main strip, this creative paint-your-own-pottery studio brings a wonderful touch of artistic community calm to the neighbourhood high street directly bordering the parkland. | Google Street View
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23. Haley&Clifford (43 Street Lane)
Moving to the affluent northern strip bordering the top edge of the park, this award-winning independent deli is legendary across North Leeds. It boasts an incredible selection of artisan Yorkshire cheeses, bespoke pies, locally roasted coffee, and high-end treats, serving as the definitive final checkpoint for premium food craftsmanship. | Tripadvisor
24. bp/SPAR (355 Roundhay Rd)
We end how we started - with a dose of practicality. It may not be boutique, but a 24-hour forecourt means not only have you got somewhere to 're-up' after the festival, but topping up that petrol tank before the drive home surely takes a weight off after a stunning weekend, right? | Google Street View