Leeds is a city increasingly designed with active travel in mind. From expanding segregated cycle lanes to long, traffic-free canal routes and riverside paths, it’s becoming easier than ever to move around the city by bike – whether you’re commuting, fitting in a lunchtime ride or just building some movement into your working day.
Being based at Wellington Place puts you right at the heart of that growing network. With secure cycle storage on site, free bike hire available and direct access to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, getting on your bike couldn’t be simpler.
Leeds & Liverpool Canal Towpath
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath is one of the city’s most accessible, traffic-free cycle routes – not to mention one of the most scenic. Cycling alongside water has been shown to reduce stress levels and support mental wellbeing, making it a great excuse to hop on your bike and follow the waterway through the city.
Join the towpath directly from Wellington Place and you can head west towards Kirkstall for a peaceful ride, without having to worry about busy roads or traffic. You’ll pass historic locks, narrowboats and leafy stretches of canal, with flat paths throughout making it suitable for all abilities – ideal for a relaxed lunchtime spin or a post-work wind-down.
River Aire Path to Thwaite Mills
Following the River Aire east towards Thwaite Mills offers a quieter, more nature-led ride that connects green spaces with everyday routes through the city. Set off past Wellington Place and you’ll ride through leafy stretches, passing wildlife and discovering peaceful spots that feel surprisingly removed from the city streets.
You’ll cycle through to Thwaite Mills, a historic watermill site surrounded by green space and riverside paths. A cycle there and back should take you around an hour – and when you get back, you can take advantage of the cycle storage and changing facilities at Wellington Place.
Wellington Place to Roundhay Park
If you’re looking to set off on a longer ride, Roundhay Park is the ideal destination. Making the most of Leeds’ expanding network of city centre cycle lanes, this route takes you out through residential streets before opening up into one of Europe’s largest urban parks.
Once you hit the park, it’s all wide open space, lakeside paths and tree-lined routes – the perfect place for a leisurely ride in the great outdoors. It’s around 8 to 10km there and back from Wellington Place, so you could fit it in your lunch break, or cycle down after work if you’d prefer to stick around.
City Centre Loop
This compact city loop is a great way to explore Leeds’ neighbourhoods by bike, combining historic streets, waterside developments and regenerated public spaces into one easy 4 to 6km ride that starts and finishes at Wellington Place.
You’ll set off towards The Calls before continuing onto Leeds Dock’s open waterfront. From here, the path loops back through the South Bank, serving up river views and a glimpse of the city’s changing skyline along the way.
