Aire & Cut Ale Trail
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.
At a glance: 12 stops • Kirkstall → Leeds • Starts at Kirkstall Bridge Inn • Finishes at Piglove by the River
🗺️ Open the full Aire & Cut route in Google Maps
Opening times and beer availability can change, so please check with each venue before travelling.
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
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Address: 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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Address: Canal Wharf, Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5PS
Opening: Mon–Thu 11:30–23:00; Fri 11:30–00:00; Sat 11:00–00:00; Sun 11:00–22:00
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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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 16 keg lines, with Northern Monk beers alongside changing guest pours.
Next stop: Adelphi — Walking directions
9. Adelphi
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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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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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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: Real ale alongside craft beer and premium lager, with local breweries including Kirkstall, Northern Monk and Anthology represented.
Next stop: Piglove by the River — Walking directions
12. Piglove by the River
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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
Last updated: September 2026
