The Aire & Cut Ale Trail follows the River Aire and Leeds & Liverpool Canal corridor from Kirkstall into Leeds, linking a series of pubs and beer stops along the way. The route is set out below in order, with every venue included on one page.
Plan your trip
🚶 12 walking stops
🌊 Kirkstall → Leeds along the Aire & canal corridor
🍺 Starts at Kirkstall Bridge Inn
🏁 Finishes at Piglove by the River
This is a walking trail rather than a rail hop-on/hop-off route. Follow the full sequence or break it into smaller Kirkstall, city-centre and riverside sections.
Along the Aire & Cut
A few waterside views from along the River Aire and Leeds & Liverpool Canal as the trail makes its way from Kirkstall into Leeds.
Tap any photo to view it full size on Flickr.
Recommended Routes
🍺 Kirkstall section
Kirkstall Bridge Inn → Cardigan Arms → Dave’s Pies & Ale → Kirkstall Brewery Taproom
The first four stops make a strong shorter route with less walking than the full trail.
🏙️ Into Leeds
Highland Laddie → Fox & Newt → Water Lane Boathouse → Northern Monk Refectory
A middle section that moves from the western edge of the city into Holbeck.
🌊 Riverside finish
Adelphi → The Tetley → Brewery Wharf Tavern → Piglove by the River
A compact final four stops around the Aire and Leeds Dock area.
🚶 Full trail
Kirkstall Bridge Inn → Piglove by the River
All 12 stops in order. Build in plenty of walking time and check the later-opening venues before setting off.
1. Kirkstall Bridge Inn
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The Kirkstall Bridge Inn is a historic riverside pub thought to date from the late 1700s, with a long connection to brewing in Kirkstall. Inside, it has a warm, traditional look with dark wood, old brewery mirrors and signs, wooden floors, a small snug and a second bar downstairs. Outside is a large beer garden with paved and grassy areas, plenty of seating and mature trees, overlooking the River Aire and Kirkstall Bridge.
Address: 12 Bridge Road, Kirkstall, Leeds, LS5 3BW
Opening: Mon–Thu 12:00–23:30; Fri–Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–23:30
Beer: Four regular cask ales from Kirkstall Brewery, usually including Kirkstall Pale Ale, Black Band Porter, Dissolution IPA and Three Swords, plus changing cask beers.
Next stop: Cardigan Arms — Walking directions
2. Cardigan Arms
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The Cardigan Arms opened in 1893 on Kirkstall Road as Burley was growing around the Earl of Cardigan’s estate. Designed by Leeds architect Thomas Winn, the grand Victorian pub originally had its own brewhouse and stables. It later became part of the Tetley estate, gained brewery heritage status in 1989 and was Grade II listed in 1994. Kirkstall Brewery took it on and reopened it in 2017 after restoration. Inside, dark polished wood, etched and stained glass, old mirrors, carved details and patterned carpets give it plenty of character, with a curved central bar and several cosy seating areas.
Address: 364 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, LS4 2HQ
Opening: Mon 12:00–22:30; Tue–Thu 12:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:30
Beer: A strong Kirkstall Brewery cask range, with regular beers including Kirkstall Pale Ale and Kirkstall Bitter alongside other Kirkstall and guest ales.
Next stop: Dave’s Pies & Ale — Walking directions
3. Dave’s Pies & Ale
Dave’s Pies & Ale opened on Kirkstall Road in November 2021, created by Dave Knowlson and Andy Turner after Dave began making pies during the Covid lockdowns. The idea grew from an old pie press and eventually led to a three-month fit-out of a unit that had previously been a sandwich shop and later a gin bar. Inside, the small pub is cosy and full of character, with deep green walls, old brewery mirrors, signs and beer memorabilia. Dark wood, stained-glass screens, booth-style seating and a compact central bar give it a warm, traditional look throughout.
Address: 350 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS4 2HQ
Opening: Mon–Tue closed; Wed 16:00–23:00; Thu–Sun 12:00–23:00
Beer: Three changing cask ales, with no fixed regular beer.
Next stop: Kirkstall Brewery Taproom & Kitchen — Walking directions
4. Kirkstall Brewery Taproom & Kitchen
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Kirkstall Brewery Tap & Kitchen opened in 2022 at the brewery’s Kirkstall Road home. Kirkstall Brewery itself was established in 2011, close to the site of the old Kirkstall Brewery, and moved into its larger Kirkstall Road site in 2017. The taproom gives visitors the chance to drink the brewery’s beers right beside where they are made. Inside, exposed concrete, beams and pipework are softened by dark wood, old brewery mirrors, signs and warm lighting. Large windows look straight into the working brewery, while wooden tables, mixed seating and brass details give the room plenty of character.
Address: 100 Kirkstall Road, Leeds, LS3 1HJ
Opening: Mon 12:00–22:00; Tue–Thu 12:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Beer: Five regular cask ales and changing beers, with Kirkstall Pale Ale, Three Swords and Dissolution IPA among the regular choices.
Next stop: Highland Laddie — Walking directions
5. Highland Laddie
The Highland Laddie has been serving Leeds for around a century, with parts of its older two-room layout and fittings still surviving from a 1923 refurbishment by Peter Walker. After closing in 2023, it was brought back to life by Sam Pullan and Nicole Deighton of Empire Café and reopened on 17 April 2025 under its older Highland Laddie name. Inside, dark walls, rich red ceilings, stained glass, polished wood, old portraits and warm lamps give it a cosy traditional look, with leather bench seating, a small fireplace and plenty of character throughout. It was also great to bump into Graham and Martin again, who I last saw in Skipton.
Address: 36–38 Cavendish Street, Leeds, LS3 1LY
Opening: Mon 12:00–22:00; Tue closed; Wed–Thu 11:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 11:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Beer: Kirkstall Three Swords is the regular cask ale, joined by three changing cask beers.
Next stop: Fox & Newt — Walking directions
6. Fox & Newt
The Fox & Newt began around 1900 as the Rutland Hotel before later taking its current name. The pub became well known for brewing on site after Whitbread installed a cellar brewery, with production beginning in December 1982 and later continuing as the Burley Street Brewhouse. Brewing is currently suspended, but the pub remains open. Inside, it has a warm traditional look with dark wooden floors, cream walls, deep purple brickwork, grey panelling and large gold-framed mirrors. Stained glass, booth-style seating, an old fireplace and a classic wooden bar add plenty of character throughout.
Address: 7–9 Burley Street, Leeds, LS3 1LD
Opening: Mon–Sat 12:00–23:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Beer: One changing cask ale, with beers from breweries such as Craven, Kirkstall and Tetley appearing regularly.
Next stop: Water Lane Boathouse — Walking directions
7. Water Lane Boathouse
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Water Lane Boathouse sits beside Lock Number One at Canal Wharf in a building dating from the early 1800s, originally used as a transhipment warehouse for the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It later became a granary storehouse before housing several bars and restaurants. Water Lane Boathouse opened in April 2017, created by the team behind Belgrave Music Hall and Headrow House. Inside, the space is bright and open, with exposed concrete ceilings, pale beams, stone walls, dark metal lighting and wooden floors. Huge windows bring in plenty of natural light and open towards the canalside terrace and water beyond.
Address: Canal Wharf, Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5PS
Opening: Mon–Thu 11:30–23:00; Fri–Sat 11:30–00:00; Sun 11:30–22:00
Beer: Currently no cask ale while the handpumps are awaiting repair.
Next stop: Northern Monk Refectory — Walking directions
8. Northern Monk Refectory
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Northern Monk Refectory sits inside the Grade II listed Old Flax Store at Marshall’s Mill in Holbeck, once used to store flax for John Marshall’s textile business. Northern Monk was founded in 2013 and moved into the building in 2014, opening its brewery on the ground floor and the Refectory above in October that year. Inside, exposed brick, black metal columns, large silver ducting and big windows keep plenty of the old industrial character, while wooden tables, benches, plants and warm lighting soften the space. Outside, the courtyard adds more seating among the surrounding historic mill buildings.
Address: The Old Flax Store, Marshalls Mill, Marshall Street, Leeds, LS11 9YJ
Opening: Mon closed; Tue 16:00–22:00; Wed–Thu 12:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00; Sun 12:00–21:00
Beer: Four cask lines and sixteen keg lines, serving Northern Monk beers alongside guest choices.
Next stop: Adelphi — Walking directions
9. Adelphi
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The Adelphi was built in 1897–98 for Leeds & Wakefield Breweries, later Melbourne Brewery, and designed by Leeds architect Thomas Winn as a grand Victorian pub and hotel near Leeds Bridge. Tetley’s took over Melbourne Brewery in 1960, and the building was Grade II listed in 1994. Inside, dark wood, etched glass, patterned tiling and old glass screens run through a series of characterful rooms. The curved wooden bar, brass fittings, mirrors and warm hanging lights stand out, while bench seating, decorative plasterwork and large windows add to the traditional look. A sheltered beer garden sits at the rear.
Address: 1–3 Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ
Opening: Mon–Wed 11:00–23:00; Thu–Fri 11:00–00:00; Sat 10:00–00:00; Sun 11:00–22:00
Beer: A rotating cask range with local and guest ales.
Next stop: The Tetley — Walking directions
10. The Tetley
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The Tetley stands in the former headquarters of Joshua Tetley & Son, with the Art Deco building opening in 1931. Brewing in Leeds ended in 2011, but the headquarters survived and reopened as an art gallery in 2013 before Kirkstall Brewery took over in 2024. Inside, old signs, brewery memorabilia and display cabinets keep that history on show. Dark leather sofas, red armchairs and wooden tables create relaxed seating areas, while exposed brick with old Tetley lettering, metal railings and an upper level add plenty of character. There is also an impressive First World War memorial dedicated to Tetley employees.
Address: Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ
Opening: Mon–Thu 12:00–22:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–23:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Beer: Two regular cask ales and three changing beers, with Kirkstall Three Swords among the regular choices.
Next stop: Brewery Wharf Tavern — Walking directions
11. Brewery Wharf Tavern
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Brewery Wharf Tavern opened on 29 August 2025 beside the River Aire, on a site once linked to the delivery wharf serving Tetley Brewery. The premises had previously been Home restaurant and, before that, the Oracle bar and nightclub. The tavern was opened by the team behind Whitelock’s Ale House, Meanwood Tavern and White Cloth Hall. Inside, it is bright and colourful, with wooden flooring, red and burgundy seating, padded benches, patterned tiles around the curved bar and a copper-coloured ceiling. Bold artwork, big windows and a mix of booths, tables and stools give it a warm, relaxed look.
Address: 3 Brewery Place, Leeds, LS10 1NE
Opening: Mon–Thu 16:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Beer: Three regular cask ales and one changing cask beer, with Five Points Pale, Kirkstall Three Swords and Timothy Taylor Landlord among the regular choices.
Next stop: Piglove by the River — Walking directions
12. Piglove by the River
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Piglove by the River opened in 2021 beside the River Aire in Leeds’ Climate Innovation District, created by Piglove Brewing Co, founded in 2019 by Venezuelan brewers Marcos Ramirez and Jesus Moreno. What began as a summer pop-up quickly became a permanent part of the brewery’s story, with a new indoor area, The Sty, added in 2026. Inside, pale wood, long tables, high stools and bench seating sit beneath black metal framing, hanging lights, plants and artwork. Outside, a large grassy beer garden has picnic benches beneath mature trees, with strings of lights and plenty of greenery beside the river.
Address: Clarence Road, Leeds, LS10 1EE
Opening: Tue–Fri 16:00–22:00; Sat 13:00–22:00; Sun 13:00–20:00
Beer: Piglove’s own modern beers are the focus, with the brewery currently advertising its beers in keg and can formats.
Getting back
From Piglove by the River, Leeds Station and Leeds Bus Station are both within walking distance via Leeds Dock and the city centre. Walking directions to Leeds Station | Walking directions to Leeds Bus Station
Before you travel
Check opening hours before setting off, especially Dave’s Pies & Ale, Highland Laddie, Northern Monk and Piglove, which have closed days or later starts. Water Lane Boathouse currently has no cask ale while its handpumps await repair. Piglove’s own homepage and venue page show different Tuesday closing times, so check directly before visiting on a Tuesday. This is a long walking route, so allow plenty of time between sections and shorten it if needed.
Opening times and beer availability can change. Last checked: 30 October 2026.