For enthusiasts of history, few regions in the UK rival Yorkshire in terms of historical offerings. From the grandeur of York Minster to the ruins of Whitby Abbey, and many other significant sites, the county presents a wealth of historical attractions.
However, one notable period of the county’s past, spanning roughly 2,000 years, remains comparatively obscure—requiring a journey into the countryside to uncover. What better incentive to prepare your walking footwear as summer approaches? Sam Lewis, a TikTok creator based in Leeds who frequently shares travel content domestically and internationally, featured a lesser-known Roman road just outside the West Yorkshire city in a video.
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In the clip, he shared: “Join me to explore Leeds’ Roman road. You’ll need to catch the 23 bus from Leeds city centre to Cookridge, specifically Pinfold Lane. Proceed down Pinfold Lane, passing Breary Marsh nature reserve, and then continue past Paul’s Pond. The journey offers beautiful scenery and the chance to see some alpacas.”
Leeds City Council describes Breary Marsh as “the most significant and varied example of a wet valley alder wood and its associated floodplain habitat found in West Yorkshire.” The council further notes, “These environments were once widespread along the county’s streams and river valleys but are now unfortunately restricted and fragmented.”
The council explained that the northern part of the reserve, near the car park, contains several ‘wet’ habitats. As visitors move further into the site, the terrain gradually ascends, transitioning into a drier woodland area showcasing 19th-century oak, birch, beech, hornbeam, and sycamore trees, as reported by Leeds Live.
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Concurrently, Paul’s Pond, situated at the southern extremity of the area, is a man-made lake part of the Cookridge Hall estate. The City Council stated: “The pond was excavated in the 1820s by Richard Wormald to supply fish and ice to the estate’s kitchens, but it was named after William Paul, who acquired the estate in 1890. The pond is frequented by waterfowl, particularly during the winter months, and if one is fortunate, a kingfisher might be spotted.”
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Sam’s video continued, showing him navigating a stile into a picturesque meadow, where a distinctly linear, stone-paved Roman road stretched out before him. “You will eventually reach the Roman road,” he announced.
“The vistas from this point are truly remarkable. There’s a large tree that bears a resemblance to Sycamore Gap in Northumberland.”
Concluding his excursion, he remarked: “Here we are. We’ve discovered the ancient Roman road in Cookridge, Leeds. Access is entirely free, and it’s a tangible link to Roman history. I feel like Julius Caesar at this moment.”
Viewers expressed considerable interest in Sam’s video. One commented: “I cycle my mountain bike over the stones when it’s damp. I had no idea I was traversing historical ground.” Others suggested alternative nearby locations for his exploration. One user proposed: “You should also investigate the remnants of Iron and Bronze Age settlements in Iveson and Clayton Woods, Cookridge.” Sam responded: “Thank you, I wasn’t aware; I will certainly check them out.”
Another viewer added: “You don’t need to travel far for a similar experience. You can visit Stairfoot Lane, at the top of King Lane, past Allerton High School. This particular spot is easily accessible.”
While Sam chose public transport to reach the site, it is also readily reachable by car. Proceed north from the city along the A660 Otley Road and park your vehicle at the Golden Acre Park car park, located at the intersection with Leeds Road. Public restrooms and a refreshment facility are available at this location.