Leeds Heritage Pub & Brewery Tour
A fun journey through 300 years of pub and brewing history in Leeds, with great stories, beautiful buildings and interactive activities. Drinks included.
An award-winning tour that explores over 300 years of pub and brewing heritage in Leeds, from buildings and business, to people, plus stories and information about the general history of Leeds too.
Beginning outside at the former location of Tetley Brewery, once the largest brewery in the country. Find out how it was formed, how it grew and what is happening today.
The tour then visits the Adelphi, a classic late-Victorian style pub. Enjoy the vintage surroundings whilst finding out about how beer was made at a brewery in Leeds, in the 1950’s.
From here, the tour takes a walk to the Duck and Drake, a pre-Victorian pub. On the way, enjoy some of the heritage sights around Leeds City Centre, including stories on early pubs and breweries, dark tales of Kirkgate (Leeds’ oldest street), the filming of one of the world’s first motion videos and lots more. At the Duck and Drake, take part in a fun group activity and then hear more about the pub’s past.
After leaving the Duck and Drake, the tour takes a short ‘Ghost Pub’ walk – pointing out buildings that used to be pubs and how to spot this in the architecture.
Venue four is the White Swan, with a fascinating history that links it to Leeds’ grand Victorian music hall – Leeds City Varieties. Here, modern maps of Leeds City Centre are handed out to explore the ever-changing landscape of breweries in the area.
The tour then wraps up at Whitelock’s Ale House. Founded in 1715 and steeped in history, take in the incredible Victorian architecture whilst hearing the pub’s story, warts and all, that has made it into the fantastic venue it is today.
Drinks are included at each of the four pub stops – a half a pint of traditionally brewed ale or equivalent* in the first three pubs, and a pint or equivalent in the final. Ales have been curated especially to fit with the theme and the stories of the tour.
Please read Leeds Beer Tours’ Code of Conduct before travelling.
*Alternative drinks available include alcohol-free, soft drinks, lager or cider.
Booking notice: To avoid cancellations, for the first booking of every tour, a minimum of two people is required. If you are booking for one person and can’t book the tour date you would like, please choose another date, or try again later.
Important Information
Drinks Included
A half a pint of traditionally brewed ale or equivalent in the first three pubs, and a pint or equivalent in the final. Alternative drinks available include alcohol-free, soft drinks, lager or cider. The tour guide will ask you at the start of the tour for your preference.
Behaviour
All guests are expected to adhere to Leeds Beer Tours’ Code of Conduct. Please read this carefully as it also includes information on things like the costume dress policy.
Timings
The tour will begin promptly at the advertised start time, so please aim to arrive at the starting location 15 minutes prior. All venues are booked in advance and the itinerary cannot be changed if guests arrive late. The tour takes 3.5 hours, however please allow for 4 hours, just in case.
Tour Itinerary
The advertised tour itinerary is subject to change. Any changes to the starting point will be communicated to guests prior to the day of the tour.
On the Day
A third of the tour is outdoors, so please check the weather beforehand. Dress accordingly and bring an umbrella if needed. For those who look under 25 years old please bring some ID with you.
Accessibility
Not all venues on the tour are step-free access, nor have fully accessible features. If you have a specific requirement, please email [email protected] to check.
FAQ
More answers to questions can be found on the FAQ page
Explore The Neighbourhood
Música Universal – A Tribute To Brazilian Music Legend HERMETO PASCOAL by Fergus Quill/Gustavo Andrade & The Universal Music Ensemble
For Leeds Jazz Festival 2024, Hyde Park Book Club has joined forces with Leeds jazz legend DJ Lubi (Lubi Jovanovic) to present a special commission…
Learn MoreTroye Sivan – Something To Give Each Other 2024 Tour
Troye Sivan is coming to Utilita Arena Birmingham in June 2024
Learn MoreSarāb
Sarāb is a chimeric adventure which brings together contemporary jazz fury and the infinite richness of traditional Middle Eastern music. Born from the meeting between…
Learn MoreJazz and Blues Sunday 2024 @Chapel Allerton Festival
You’ll enjoy at this year’s Jazz and Blues Sunday at Chapel Allerton Arts Festival with an ecelctic mix of jazz, brazillian music, brass band, big…
Learn MoreRuby Wax: I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was
After a complete sell-out first run in 2023, Ruby Wax‘s rawest, darkest, funniest and most compelling stage show yet comes to City Varieties in 2024, thanks…
Learn MoreAbtuse
“Abtuse” has built a reputation around the jazz and blues music scene over the past five years as a band playing an exciting and eclectic…
Learn MoreThe Spring Community Café
The Spring Community Café and Shop is a charity shop and 60 seater café, run by St Helens Church, offering high quality second hand clothing,…
Learn MoreThe Providence
The Providence meets all your cocktail and charcuterie needs in the heart of Wakefield. Located on Providence Street off Northgate, the bar has undergone a…
Learn MoreThe York Vaults
The York Vaults is a Grassroots Music Venue located 5 minutes from the heart of York, opposite the historic city walls and a brief walk…
Learn MoreGracie’s
Gracie’s is a family run cafe located in the heart of Ossett, serving great quality food and beverages.
Learn MoreThe Black Olive Deli
The Black Olive Deli is a small family-run business based in the heart of Horbury. The door’s first opened in 2005 and they have always…
Learn MoreThe Grove Centre
The Grove (as we usually call it) is located in the centre of Horsforth set just back from Town Street. For the past 150 years…
Learn MoreHeart Centre
Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre – HEART – is the arts, enterprise and community centre in the middle of Headingley run by the community for…
Learn MoreBar Biccari
Bar Biccari is an authentic Italian restaurant set in the heart of Horbury, who bake all their bread and cook their pizzas in their on…
Learn MoreOtley Social Club
Otley Social Club is an accessible venue north of the River Wharfe, in a residential area of town. Our event will be in the function…
Learn MoreYAFTA International
Academy for film and television acting – education and training specialist
Learn MoreConvention House
Convention House started life as a nunnery and was formerly home to business advisors and chartered accountants, Winburn Glass Norfolk (WGN) for 37 years. We’ve…
Learn MoreThe Polka Hop
The Polka Hop is a family and dog friendly, music loving, real ale pub near the heart of Wakefield. We sell premium real ales, top…
Learn MoreJock’s Cavern
Welcome to Jock’s Cavern. We’re a hidden, underground bar in the heart of Wakefield. Join us for a laid-back vibe, quality cocktails, amazing craft beers…
Learn MoreInkwell – Chapel Allerton
A Creative Art Space in Leeds Promoting Positive Mental Health Inkwell is a safe, creative and accessible space where passion and skills entwine, challenging the…
Learn MoreCarpenters 42 Ossett
Whether you’re after a Sunday lunch with all the trimmings, a fun family meal on a Friday night, or a romantic candlelit, A La Carte…
Learn More