Popular towns and villages in Leeds within commutable distance to the city centre
Leeds is a busy, bustling and thriving city but there are also plenty of quieter towns and villages within the LS postcode.
By Rebecca Marano
Published 28th Oct 2021, 16:45 BST
Many of these areas have their own distinct character and history, having not been incorporated into the City of Leeds metropolitan borough until 1974 as part of a reform of local government in England.
Each of these areas are within commuting distance of the city centre via car or public transport, meaning it is ideal for those working in the office or those wanting a day of city life.
7. Wetherby
The market town of Wetherby sits in the middle of Leeds and York. Standing on the River Wharfe, the historic town remains part of the City of Leeds and has a town council. According to local historians, the town was founded when the Knights Templar were granted land and properties in Yorkshire, gaining permission to hold a weekly market in 1240. The Duke of Devonshire apparently sold the town to fund Chatsworth House in the 'Great Sale of Wetherby' in 1824. Wetherby remained more rural than other places like Leeds during the Victorian times as it did not rely as much on the textile industry however, the brewery and mill developed, factories were later built, as was Wetherby railway station. It was closed under the Beeching axe in 1964. Wetherby Bridge, which dates to the thirteenth century, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II listed structure. In the present day, the town is very popular for house hunters with many families wanting to settle in the area due to the thriving community, good local sch
Kippax is a village to the east of Leeds, close to the smaller villages of Methley, Allerton Bywater and Great Preston. It dates back to the Saxon period, with Saxon herring-bone masonry can be seen in the local church. The advent of deeper mining and the discovery of coal seams in Allerton Bywater saw Kippax undergo a rapid expansion into a typical northern mining community in the 19th century. Kippax is today considered a commuter village because its close location near to the A1, M1 and M62 means people have easy access into Leeds, Castleford, Wakefield and York. The high street has a mix of independent butchers, grocers and newsagents and a small co-op store. It is close to the RSPB St Aidan's nature reserve and RSPB Fairburn Ings. Properties in Kippax had an overall average price of £194,562 over the last year. Overall, sold prices in Kippax over the last year were two per cent down on the previous year and seven per cent on the 2018 peak of £181,155.
The village of Barwick-in-Elmet sits in the Harewood ward of Leeds. Barwick-in-Elmet is teeming with history; It is believed to date back to an ancient British kingdom called Elmet, part of an Iron Age fort is located on Wendel Hill near the village and it is believed William of Orange spent some time in this area. During the 18th to 20th century, many people lived in the area if they were employed in mining towns nearby. Now it still has a semi-rural feel while also being home to three pubs, independent shops and businesses, a chip shop and an Italian restaurant. The village is known for its 86 feet wooden maypole that stands at the junction of Main Street. It is the second maypole in the UK and the village hosts a festival every three years. Properties in Barwick In Elmet had an overall average price of £356,808 over the last year. The majority of sales in Barwick In Elmet during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £461,450. Overall, sold prices in Barwick In Elmet over t