The history of the Trail
Kirkstall Art Trail had its humble beginnings in 2015, launched in the summer on Saturday 18 July. The event hosted over 40 artists at 22 Kirkstall venues, with an estimated 500 people visiting on the day. The Trail grew in size over the next few years. Soon extending to include the Sunday, allowing visitors to fit more in over the whole weekend.
Kirkstall Art Trail began to see more venues, artists, workshops and visitors. It continued to be a big part of the Leeds creative calendar until 2019. The Covid pandemic forced a break on activities from 2020 until 2022. In 2023, the trail relaunched, welcoming over 1,400 visitors to Kirkstall. In 2024, over 100 artists took part, hosted across 40 venues. It is once again establishing its yearly creative mark on Kirkstall. And as a wider cultural highlight within Leeds and Yorkshire beyond.
A selection of maps and leaflets from previous years.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2023
About the ‘Kirkstall’ in the trail
The historic Kirkstall Village area (within Leeds LS5) is the location for the Art Trail. Kirkstall is home to one of the best-preserved Cistercian monasteries in the country. Founded over 800 years ago, Kirkstall Abbey is a Grade I listed building and a scheduled ancient monument. Abbey House Museum, situated in the former gatehouse, dates back to the 12th century. The museum hosts a wealth of local historical knowledge. Once inside, you can stroll Victorian streets and explore shops, houses, and the local pub. Both sites have made fine backdrops to showcase artists, workshops, and events for the Trail.
Another site that Kirkstall Art Trail partners with is Hollybush. The environmental volunteering centre has been running for over 40 years. The Hollybush building dates back to at least 1700 when the site was a farm. The farm, under the ownership of Joseph Whitwell in the 1860s, was the first to pioneer forced rhubarb. Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb now has Protected Designation of Origin – much like Champagne, Feta Cheese, and Jersey Royal Potatoes.
St Stephen’s Church also plays host to artists for the trail. Designed by the architect R. D. Chantrell, it was built in the Gothic Revival style and opened in 1828. It is one of the many ‘Commissioners’ churches’ built in the early 1800s when industrial towns had outgrown their churches.
With these four remarkable heritage sites, Kirkstall Art Trail is an essential visit.
About the Kirkstall Art Trail Committee
A small committee of volunteers manages the operation of Kirkstall Art Trail. Members come from a wide range of ages, most of whom live within Kirkstall Village. Some of the tasks we carry out are:
- raising funds
- organising activities
- finding and selecting artists
- booking venues
- recruiting volunteers
- creating social media
- managing websites
- and all the other behind-the-scenes jobs you can, or even can’t, think of.
We welcome any interest from the public to join the committee. Please visit the volunteer page to find out how.
Kirkstall Art Trail is a Charitable Unincorporated Association. We are governed by a constitution.
Find out more about the Kirkstall Art Trail organisers and Meet the Team